The cheesy koesister trend: when tradition gets a TikTok makeover

So what happens when you put cheese inside a deep-fried, crispy and syrupy koesister? A burst of flavours that not everyone may find digestible. 

A beloved South African dessert, the koesister is made from sweet dough, typically twisted into a distinctive shape.

It is enjoyed in different ways depending on one’s preference, but recently, TikTok has been buzzing with different users trying out an unconventional flavour combination that features cheese.

While the idea of cheese and koeksisters is a match made in heaven for some, others are not quite sold on the idea.

TikTok user @ismaeel.bagus is one of those who have embraced and enjoyed the combination for years with his family. Bagus cuts a slice of cheese and places it on top of the koesister before taking a big bite.

He has dubbed it as the “weird” combo that his family enjoys every Sunday morning and encourages people to try it out.

Another user @asadullahparker tried it out and shared that he did not find it as enjoyable as he assumed it would and added he won’t be doing it again. Inspired by Parker, @mappysfood_review decided to try the combination by cooking it in an air fryer. For him, it tasted like hot cross buns.

The koesister with cheese challenge is just one example of the creative experimentation that has been happening in South African kitchens, thanks to the influence of TikTok. 

Take pap, for instance. This traditional South African favourite has been reimagined in all sorts of creative ways on TikTok. From pap sushi to pap pancakes, and even pap pizza, the possibilities are endless.

Pap sushi

Pap sushi is the latest phenomenon on TikTok. Food content creator @yo.meal created a convincing sushi dish using pap as a substitute for sushi rice and boerewors for raw salmon. 

While the idea of this already sounds questionable, the presentation looks a lot more appealing and like a dish that could fit in a food museum.

Pap pancakes

Yes, you read that right. Pap has also been turned into pancakes and you are probably wondering how that happens. With a drop of cooking oil and flat-shaped pap mixed with eggs, you have yourself some pap-inspired pan cake.

Pap pizza

In pap pizza, the only difference is that pap serves as the pizza base while all other pizza-making elements remain unchanged.