Hello, SafarFriendly friends! Sahur and breaking your fast are special moments that deserve delicious and nutritious dishes. One favorite that works well for both mealtimes is ayam kremes—tender chicken with deeply infused spices and a crispy “kremesan” topping that’s absolutely addictive!
Surprisingly, ayam kremes is fairly simple to make at home, without too much fuss. Check out the ingredients and steps crispy chicken recipe below!
Ingredients

Image from kumparan.com
Main Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken, cut into serving pieces
- 500 ml coconut water (optional, for extra flavor)
- 4 Indonesian bay leaves (daun salam)
- 2 stalks lemongrass, bruised
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground pepper
- 1 tsp sugar
- Cooking oil for frying
Spice Paste:
- 5 cloves garlic
- 6 shallots
- 3 candlenuts, roasted
- 1 cm fresh turmeric
- 1 cm fresh ginger
- ½ tsp coriander seeds (or powder)
For the Crispy “Kremesan”:
- 100 g tapioca flour
- 2 tbsp rice flour
- 1 egg yolk
- 200 ml chicken broth (from boiling the chicken)
- ½ tsp baking powder
- A pinch of salt
How to Make Savory, Crispy Ayam Kremes

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1. Boil the Chicken with Spices
- Grind all spice paste ingredients, then sauté until fragrant.
- Add bay leaves and lemongrass, stir well.
- Place the chicken pieces in, and pour in coconut water (or regular water). Season with salt, pepper, and sugar.
- Simmer on low heat until the chicken is fully cooked and the flavors have absorbed.
- Remove and drain the chicken.
2. Prepare the Crispy Coating Batter
- Mix tapioca flour, rice flour, egg yolk, baking powder, salt, and the reserved chicken broth.
- Stir until you get a thin, runny batter.
3. Fry the Chicken
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Fry the chicken pieces until they’re golden-brown and crispy, then set aside to drain.
4. Make the Crispy “Kremesan”
- Ensure the oil is still hot. Drizzle the batter from about 20 cm above the pan so it spreads out in the oil.
- Let it cook until golden.
- Remove and drain the crispy shards.
5. Serve with Your Favorites
- Place the fried chicken on a plate and sprinkle the kremesan on top.
- Serve hot with warm rice, chili sauce, and fresh vegetables.
Tips for Even Tastier Ayam Kremesat

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- Use coconut water when boiling for naturally rich flavor.
- Make sure the oil is really hot to ensure a perfectly crispy exterior.
- Pour the batter from a height so the crisps form an airy, lacy texture.
- Serve immediately to keep the chicken crunchy.
Easy, right, SafarFriendly friends? With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this savory crispy chicken recipe makes for a special sahur or iftar menu.
Give this ayam kremes recipe a go, and if you nail it, don’t forget to tag @safarfriendly and share your experience!
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