Akara, also known as bean fritters, are a popular Nigerian street food and appetizer Traditionally made from blended black-eyed peas, akara can also be prepared with bean flour for convenience and versatility This article provides a simple recipe and tips for making mouthwatering akara fritters using bean, gram, or lentil flour.
An Overview of Akara
Akara are small, deep-fried dumplings or fritters made from mashed beans formed into balls or patties. Their crisp outer layer surrounds a soft, pillowy interior with a pleasant beany flavor. Common additions include onions, peppers, herbs, and spices. Akara make a tasty everyday snack, vegetarian protein source, or appetizer. They are often served with grilled fish, stews, rice dishes, or soups.
While akara are traditionally made by laboriously peeling, washing, and blending black-eyed peas, substituting bean flour creates a quicker and more convenient option.
Why Use Bean Flour?
Here are some of the benefits of using bean flour rather than whole beans to make akara:
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Saves time by eliminating lengthy peeling and soaking of beans
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Allows you to make akara with ingredients on hand versus planning ahead
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Provides versatility to use different flour bases like chickpea, lentil, etc.
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Requires less cooking time once patties are formed
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Approximates the texture and flavor of authentic akara nicely
Really, any bean flour will work. Play around with what you have – black bean powder, besan (chickpea), yellow split pea flour, and more. The options are wide open!
Ingredients Needed
To make around 15-20 fritters, you will need:
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150g (1 cup) bean flour of choice
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1 small onion, chopped
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1 fresh chili pepper (optional)
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1⁄4 cup water
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1 tsp roasted, crushed cumin seeds
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1 Tbsp chopped cilantro
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Oil for frying
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Salt to taste
That’s all it takes! Now let’s go over the hands-on process.
Step-by-Step Method
Follow these straightforward steps to make akara fritters with bean flour:
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Blend the onion and optional chili with 1⁄4 cup water until smooth.
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Place flour in a mixing bowl. Pour in onion-chili puree.
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Whisk vigorously until a thick, cohesive batter forms.
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Stir in cilantro and cumin seeds. Season generously with salt.
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In a heavy pot, heat 2-3 inches oil to 350°F.
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Scoop batter by the tablespoon and gently drop into hot oil. Fry in batches.
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Fry 3-5 minutes, flipping once, until golden brown on both sides.
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Remove with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.
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Serve akara warm by itself or with desired sauces or stews.
The bean flour allows you to whip up deliciously authentic-tasting akara fritters in under 30 minutes!
Handy Tips and Variations
Follow these tips for akara success:
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Play with flour mixes like half chickpea and half lentil.
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Add more water for a thinner, looser batter.
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To test oil temp, sprinkle a pinch of batter in – it should sizzle immediately.
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Shape smaller patties for bite-sized akara or larger for sandwich fillings.
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Pair with pepper sauce, chili oil, or Nigerian stews like efo riro.
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Substitute scallions, curry powder, parsley, or thyme for the cilantro.
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Akara can be frozen raw and fried still frozen for convenience.
The possibilities are endless with bean flour akara. Adjust herbs, spices, shapes, and serving styles to your preferences.
Akara Nutrition Facts
A 3-patty serving of akara provides approximately:
- 160 calories
- 7g protein
- 2g fiber
- 11g fat
- 20% DV iron
- 15% DV folate
Bean flour akara are high in plant-based protein, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals. Their wholesome nutrition will keep you feeling full and energized!
Enjoy Akara Any Day of the Week
Thanks to convenient bean flour, you can now enjoy deliciously authentic akara fritters any day without advance planning or lengthy prep. Keep a bag of bean flour on hand along with onions, herbs, and spices. Then you’re never more than 30 minutes away from piping hot akara!
Dip the fritters in your favorite sauce or just enjoy their beany goodness on their own. You can also explore fun akara variations with different bean flours, shapes, and add-ins. Let bean flour bring the joy of akara fritters into your kitchen anytime.
Ingredients for Nigerian Akara
- Black-eyed peas
- Onion
- Fresh bell peppers (Red or orange color preferably. I like using red/reddish bell peppers for this recipe. It gives it gorgeous color).
- Habanero (for that spicy heat)
- Salt and crushed red pepper to taste
- Oil for frying
Can You Make Akara With The Beans Skin On?
No. You are not supposed to make akara with the bean skin on. To make a tasty, authentic African akara recipe, you must deskin your beans. Deskinning beans are easy. However, if you aren’t sure, I got you. You will follow this recipe to de-skin/peel the beans. After you have deskinned the beans, you blend them into a paste-like. You will follow the steps if you want to make moi-moi, but instead of baking the fritters, you will fry them.
On the other hand, moi-moi is steamed. Also, akara’s paste is usually very simple: beans mixed with onions and peppers (bell peppers and habanero), and you only need to add salt before you fry it. The aroma of freshly fried black-eyed peas fritters/cakes will make your day!.
Additionally, no need to add seasoning powder or cubes, curry, thyme, or rosemary in your akara paste. No need for all of the seasonings that could overpower the hearty taste of these fritters. In today’s post, I am excited to show you how to make the best Nigerian breakfast – akara.
AKARA KOOSE WITH BEANS FLOUR | HOW TO MAKE AKARA STEP BY STEP TUTORIAL
FAQ
Can I use bean flour to make akara?
Can you fry bean flour?
How to make Nigerian Akara?
If you are new to akara, you start with 1 – 2 cups of dry beans. Adjust as you wish. Look at my beans paste, and possibly model yours that way. Add onions, fresh bell peppers, habanero according to your taste. Typically Nigerian AKara doesn’t need other spices such as Maggi, curry, thyme, nutmeg, etc.
How to cook Akara?
*Pour the blended beans in a bowl, add maggi cube and salt to taste and mix thoroughly. If you like the inside of your akara fluffy, then use a mixer and whip for 10 minutes. *Pour the vegetable, sunflower or palmoil in a frying pan and put on stove. You need it deep fried so make sure you have enough oil in the frying pan.
How do you make akara fritter?
Akara is a classic Nigerian fritter made from bean flour. It is bite-sized, savory, crispy, and perfect for breakfast, potluck, or snacks. Soak the beans in room temperature water for about 15 to 20 minutes until the skin is swollen. Drain the water and place the beans in the food processor.
How do you make Akara fluffy?
For fluffy inside, mix the bean paste with hand or stand mixer till it’s light and fluffy before frying. If the batter is too watery, the akara will come out flat and in some cases not hold up in oil. That’s why it’s important to blend with as little water as possible.