Fishball Skewers with Sweet Spicy Peanut Sauce

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Golden-fried fishballs served on skewers with a luscious peanut sauce that balances sweetness and heat, a beloved Filipino street food staple. This filipino-inspired street food ready in about 25 minutes blends frozen fishballs, vegetable oil for frying, smooth peanut butter into a versatile sauce that lifts everything from grain bowls and roasted vegetables to grilled proteins — a small-batch staple worth keeping in the fridge. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 5, so a small batch covers several meals across the week without taking over the fridge. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 5 Filipino cuisine 320 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 cups vegetable oil in a deep frying pan to 350°F.
  2. Step 2: Fry 20 frozen fishballs in batches for 4-5 minutes until golden and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
  3. Step 3: Thread 4 fried fishballs onto each of 5 wooden skewers.
  4. Step 4: In a small saucepan over low heat, combine 1/3 cup smooth peanut butter, 2 tbsp hoisin sauce, 1 tbsp sriracha sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 clove minced garlic, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, and 1/4 cup water. Stir continuously until sauce is smooth, warm, and slightly thickened, about 3-4 minutes.
  5. Step 5: Serve the fishball skewers hot with the sweet spicy peanut sauce drizzled over or for dipping.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Fishball Skewers with Sweet Spicy Peanut Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). A small batch typically covers several meals in the week — store as the recipe directs.

How do I store leftover Fishball Skewers with Sweet Spicy Peanut Sauce?

Transfer to an airtight jar and refrigerate for up to 5–7 days. Most sauces freeze well for up to 2 months — portion into small containers or freezer bags so you can thaw only what you need. Stir before serving; cream- or yogurt-based sauces may separate on standing.

Can I substitute ingredients in Fishball Skewers with Sweet Spicy Peanut Sauce?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Fishball Skewers with Sweet Spicy Peanut Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 5 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 5). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Fishball Skewers with Sweet Spicy Peanut Sauce?

Filipino street food like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes