In South Africa, we call them Pampoen koekies. The name comes from the Afrikaans words “pampoen” (pumpkin) and “koekies” (small cakes). They are small fluffy balls of dough or in pancake form, made with mashed pumpkin, flour, eggs and spices.

How they are made

The batter is very similar to a pancake batter. Cooked pumpkin is mashed and mixed with flour, baking powder, an egg, milk and spices like cinnamon or nutmeg. Spoonfuls of this thick batter are then dropped into hot oil and fried until crisp or placed on a cookie sheet to bake until crisp on the outside and soft on the inside.

How they are served

Once fried or baked, they are usually finished in one of two ways:

• Cinnamon Sugar: Tossed in a mix of sugar and ground cinnamon while still warm. Or if you bake them in the oven, you add the cinnamon sugar before baking.
• Caramel Sauce: Drenched in a sweet, sticky, creamy caramel sauce.

When to eat them

in South Africa, they are versatile treats. They can be eaten as a sweet dessert; a tea-time snack or even served as a sweet side dish alongside savory main meals like roasted lamb or chicken.

Why I cherish this recipe so much

This was definitely a comfort dessert for me growing up. My grandmother used to make this on special occasions and I always loved it. I always wanted to go back for more. We always had pumpkin fritters when families got together or simply for a Sunday dessert. I’ve got a lot of happy memories with this dessert. It is absolutely delicious and an easy to make recipe.

The face behind this recipe

This recipe is cherished and loved. It’s a recipe we’ve been enjoying making for years. We’re forever grateful for all of the delicious recipes our grandmother has left for us. We can enjoy them and everyone else around the world seeing this recipe, can too! We want to make her recipes famous because of all of the hard work she has put into her work, cooking and baking all of her life.

This is a family friendly dessert over all of South Africa.

Let’s get into some health benefits of the pumpkin fritters:

Nutritional Profile of the pumpkin and cinnamon

Pumpkins are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants while being low in calories and high in water content, making them ideal for a healthy diet. One cup of cooked pumpkin provides significant amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, and several B vitamins, along with small amounts of magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and folate. Pumpkin seeds are also highly nutritious, offering protein, healthy fats, and minerals that contribute to overall health 

Cinnamon provides small but meaningful amounts of minerals such as manganese, calcium, and magnesium, which support bone health, heart function, and metabolic processes. 

Ceylon cinnamon is preferred for regular consumption due to its lower coumarin content, which reduces potential liver toxicity risks associated with high intake of Cassia cinnamon.
Incorporating cinnamon into your diet through teas, smoothies, oatmeal, or baked goods can provide these health benefits while adding flavor and aroma to meals.

Additional Information on ingredients

While the recipe calls for a fair amount of sugar, you can limit the sugar by adding less to the recipe. The fritters or sauce won’t be as sweet as they’d normally be, but I’m always aiming for a little less sugar! I don’t want any energy spikes.

Step by step guide to making the pumpkin fritters – with pictures

• Step 1 – Grab your Butternut Squash. Cut the skin off and cut it into small cubes. The recipe calls for half of the butternut squash, but I doubled the recipe.

• Step 2 – Add the cubes to a pot. Fill it with water until all of the pieces are covered with water. Bring it to a boil on medium heat and let cook with the lid on until the pieces are soft. Puree the pumpkin using a blender or mash it using a fork. When the batter seems too runny when blending it in a blender, just add a little more all-purpose flour.

• Step 3 – When you have the puree ready, add it to a bowl and then add your sugar, egg and melted butter and whisk until combined.

• Step 4 – Sift the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon powder and salt into the pumpkin mixture and whisk until everything is combined. The batter will be thick.

• Step 5 – Scoop a Tablespoon full of the batter onto a cookie sheet that has been lined with parchment paper. They should be shaped like pancakes. Sprinkle some of your cinnamon-sugar mixture on top.

• Step 6 – Put them in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes until they are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

• Step 7 – Serve them warm with the warm caramel sauce.

2 Ways to make this easy pumpkin fritter dessert

Frying vs Baking Pampoen Koekies

Frying and baking are both used to make pampoen koekies (pumpkin fritters), but they produce very different textures, flavors, and serving styles.

Frying

• Texture & Crispness: Frying in hot oil (often butter or neutral oil) creates a golden, crisp exterior while keeping the inside soft and fluffy. This method is traditional and gives the classic South African treat its signature crunch.

• Flavor: The oil imparts a rich, buttery flavor, and the fritters are often served hot with cinnamon-sugar topping or a sweet glaze like caramel or syrup.

• Cooking Time: Typically, 45–60 minutes, depending on batch size.

• Best For: Serving immediately hot, especially at gatherings or as a snack. They can be kept warm in a low oven for a short time.

Baking

• Texture & Moisture: Baking in an oven (often with a syrup or glaze) results in moist, tender fritters that are less crisp but still flavorful. The syrup or glaze helps keep them soft and sticky.

• Flavor: The glaze (sugar, milk, butter, cinnamon) adds a rich, sweet, and slightly caramelized taste. Some recipes also use caramel sauce for a deeper flavor.

• Cooking Time: Around 15–30 minutes after preheating the oven to 350°F.

• Best For: Serving warm or even cold, as the glaze keeps them moist. Ideal for desserts or as a make-ahead treat.

Now that you know about both methods, you can still follow this recipe and choose if you want to either fry them or bake them. The choice is up to you.

Let’s get right into it…