Give everyone the ultimate Nigerian dining experience with smooth, lump-free, and soft Amala Fele Fele!
What is Amala Fele Fele? It’s a traditional Nigerian side dish that was first cooked by the Yoruba tribe. The original version, called Amala, is made of yam flour and water, mixed and cooked until thick and fluffy.
In our home, Amala Fele Fele is one of our favorite side dishes, especially when we eat soups and stews. Today, I will tell you how to cook it, so you can make it for your family, too!
If it’s your first time cooking a Nigerian delicacy, then this is the perfect recipe to start with. Let it be a new adventure as you discover just how good dining can be with one of the best African recipes ever!
How to Make Amala Fele Fele
You will only need two ingredients to make Amala Fele Fele: yam flour and water! It only takes about fifteen minutes to give the perfect flavor and texture that will make you feel like you’re eating in Nigeria.
Wait for the results and experience how thick and smooth it is!
Ingredients
With these basic ingredients, you can make the best Amala Fele Fele.
Yam flour
What’s the main ingredient of Amala Fele Fele? Yam flour!
There are different kinds of flour you can use for this dish, but I prefer using yam flour to give it an authentic Nigerian flavor. Yam flour, also known as elubo or amala flour, is made of peeled, sliced, dried, and ground yams.
When it comes to flavor, yam flour usually has a mildly sweet, nutty, and starchy quality. Because of its starch content, it will be easier to make the mixture thick, smooth, and creamy.
Once you taste the Amala Fele Fele, you’ll realize why yam flour is such a staple in Africa. You can use it for cooking, baking, thickening, and so much more. It can also be a special ingredient for puddings, desserts, and fufu.
Water
To transform yam flour into Amala Fele Fele, you will need water.
Water is necessary to make the dish lump-free and smooth. It also breaks down the clumps of yam flour for a soft and plump texture. Moreover, the water makes the mixture easier to stir and thicken!
Once you mix it in the yam flour, it will give the dish a thick, smooth, sticky, and lump-free quality.
This Amala Fele Fele is so delectable and satisfying that you won’t even expect how easy it is to make it at home. Give it a taste and relish the goodness!
Directions
Here’s how you can make the best Amala Fele Fele:
- Add yam flour to a pot.
- Pour in the water.
- Stir the contents with a spatula without heat until smooth.
- Boil water in a kettle.
- Then, pour the boiled water into the mixture.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-low fire.
- Continue stirring until thick.
- Add a bit of water and let it simmer for five minutes on low heat.
- Mix the contents.
- Once happy with the flavor and texture, place it on a plate and serve!
Trust me, it doesn’t get easier than this. This foolproof recipe guarantees perfectly textured Amala Fele Fele, giving you the ultimate African dining experience.
Tips
How to Make Yam Flour
If you can’t find ready-to-use yam flour, then you can also make it at home.
- Peel the yam and slice it into pieces using a knife.
- Place the slices in a bowl of water to slow down oxidation.
- Parboil the yam for five minutes.
- Drain the water.
- Then, transfer the slices into a dehydrator or oven.
- Let them dry for 14 hours.
- Finally, grind it using a blender, food processor, food mill, or other similar kitchen tools.
- Store the flour in a container in a cool and dry area for several months.
Amala Fele Fele Variations
Amala Fele Fele is one of the many swallow foods in Africa.
According to the African Food Network, this dish can also be made with cassava or plantain flour for other flavors. They will vary in color and flavor, but all of them usually have a silky smooth, super soft, and lump-free!
Add water or milk depending on the consistency that you prefer. The more water you add, the softer it will be. This dish is so easy to make that you don’t need other seasoning or flavoring agents to make it yummy.
More Swallow Food Recipes
- Pounded Yam in a Mixer – make a yam side dish using your mixer.
- Pounded Yam – it’s another African dish you can cook.
- Fufu – try the three ways to make fufu.
- Semolina Fufu – cook your fufu with semolina flour.
- Amala – the classic Amala recipe is a must-try.
- Oatmeal Fufu – your fufu will surely taste incredible with oats.
- Banana Fufu – get sweet fufu when you make it with bananas.
- Plantain Fufu – let plantains give you a starchy side dish.
Recommended Tools
- Pot: Cook the meal in a pot.
- Electric kettle: Boil water in a kettle.
- Wooden spoon: Stir the mixture continuously with a wooden spoon.
- Pot lid: Cover the pot with a lid to cook thoroughly.
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How to Serve Amala Fele Fele
Your favorite African dishes will surely taste better with Amala Fele Fele!
It is popularly served in big or round shapes at eaten with hands dipped in water. In Nigeria, you get a small piece from the Amala Fele Fele and dip it into soups or stews for the best flavor. You can also mold it into a bowl and add the main dish.
Amala Fele Fele is best served with smoky and savory stews and soups such as:
- Egusi Soup – it’s a popular African soup with melon seeds.
- Fish Stew – serve the amala with fish stew to try the combination.
- Okra Soup – enjoy okra like never before with Amala Fele Fele on the side.
- Ayamese Stew – make your stew with green bell peppers for the best flavor.
- Ewedu Soup – transform jute leaves into a soothing soup.
- Fried Pepper Stew – relish something savory with your side dish.
- Assorted Meat Stew – meat is always tastier with Amala Fele Fele.
- Smoked Mackerel Stew – complete your meal with mackerel and a swallow food.
Storage Tips
- At room temperature: Eat Amala Fele Fele within several hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is amala same as fufu?
No, Amala is not the same as Fufu. Compared to fufu, amala is more lightweight because you make it with yam flour. It has a smooth and elastic quality and an earthy to sweet flavor.
On the other hand, fufu is a starchy food that can be cooked by boiling and mashing veggies. You can make it with cassava flour instead of yam flour.
What is amala fufu made of?
You can make Amala Fufu with different ingredients. This recipe calls for yam flour and water. However, some recipes use cassava or plantain flour.
What is amala in English?
In English, amala is known as a thick paste made of yam. Sometimes, it is called cassava paste because of how smooth and yummy it is.
How do you get rid of lumps in amala?
The key to lump-free Amala is to mix the water and yam flour before turning on the heat. Adding water also helps remove lumps as it cooks.
Amala Fele Fele – Lump-Free Guaranteed! (VIDEO)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups yam flour (elubo dudu)
- 2 cups water (@ room temperature)
- 1⅓ cups boiled (hot) water
Instructions
- Add yam flour to a pot.
- Pour in the room temperature water.
- Stir the contents without heat until smooth – dissolved and lump-free. Set aside for later.
- Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a kettle or pot.
- Gently pour 1½ cups of hot water into the yam flour mixture while mixing it with a wooden spoon r about a minute.
- Cover the pot with a lid and allow the mixture to cook for about 5 minutes (or until it bubbles up) over low heat.
- Continue stirring until thick. After 5 minutes of cooking, turn and press (or pull) the mixture against the pan as it cooks until it forms a perfectly thick, smooth, and soft consistency.
- After the mixture has finally formed into amala, add about 50ml of hot water. The more water you add, the softer it will be.
- Cover with a lid and allow to steam-cook for 5 minutes on low heat.
- After 5 minutes of steaming, continue to fold and pull the Amala until you achieve your desired consistencyThe Perfect AMALA FELE FELE is now ready!
- Serve amala fele fele hot or warm with any delicious side dish – soup or stew, like egusi soup (almond vegetable stew), fish stew, and more.
Video
Notes
- Continue stirring to get a smooth and thick consistency.
- Add water according to how thick you want the Amala Fele Fele to be.
- Scoop the mixture from the bottom of the pot and fold it into the mixture.
Nutrition
Great recipe and it works so well! No more lumps in my amala 🙌🏾 I really enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much Grace for taking the time to leave a comment and rate this recipe. I am so glad this method of making lump-free Amala worked and you enjoyed it. Thank you!