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Puff puff

Nigerian · Appetizer

A classic West African street food, these golden-brown fried dough balls are soft, airy, and perfectly sweet. They are an addictive snack enjoyed across Nigeria, Ghana, and beyond.

EasyVeganVegetarian
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Puff puff — recipe cover
1 hr 15 minA little patience, a lot of flavor
Prep time10 min
Cook time20 min
Servings6 people
DifficultyEasy
Let's make something good

How to make it

7 steps. Take it one step at a time.

  1. Whisk together the flour, sugar, yeast, salt, and ground nutmeg

    In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, yeast, salt, and ground nutmeg until well combined.

  2. Gradually add the 1 1/2 cups of warm water

    Gradually add the 1 1/2 cups of warm water (110°F/43°C) to the dry ingredients. Whisk or mix with your hand until the batter is smooth and stretchy, without any lumps.

  3. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap

    Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Place in a warm, draft-free spot and let it rise for 45 to 60 minutes, or until the batter has doubled in size and looks bubbly.

    45 min
  4. Heat about 2-3 inches of vegetable oil

    Heat about 2-3 inches of vegetable oil in a deep pot or skillet to approximately 350°F (177°C).

  5. Gently punch down the batter

    Gently punch down the batter. Using your hands or a scoop, drop small balls of batter into the hot oil. Do not overcrowd the pot.

  6. Fry the balls, flipping them frequently

    Fry the balls, flipping them frequently, until they are golden brown on all sides. This should take about 3-5 minutes per batch.

    3 min
  7. Remove with a slotted spoon

    Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Serve warm.

A little kitchen wisdom

Ensure the water is warm but not hot, or it will kill the yeast. For the signature round shape, use your hands to squeeze the batter into the oil or use a small ice cream scoop.

What you'll need

Large mixing bowlWhiskDeep frying potSlotted spoonPaper towels
Keep the good going

For now. And for later.

Make it ahead

The batter is best used immediately after proofing. You can fry them and keep them warm in a low oven.

Store & enjoy

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat in an air fryer or oven to restore crispness. Avoid microwaving as they will become chewy.

Allergens

Contains wheat, gluten.

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An AI-created recipe from the EZdish collection. Ingredient quantities and techniques have not been independently kitchen-tested. Published on this website . Updated . First published in the EZdish collection .

Puff puff
Step 1 of 7

Whisk together the flour, sugar, yeast, salt, and ground nutmeg

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, yeast, salt, and ground nutmeg until well combined.