Coconut Puff Puff Recipe

For coconut and snack lovers out there, you need to try one of the best African snacks, the Coconut Puff Puff!

Coconut Puff Puff is a popular street food or snack in Africa. It is a type of deep-fried batter that turns into something light, fluffy, and airy with a crispy and golden brown crust.

It tastes so pleasant that you won’t be able to get enough of them. The best part is that it’s easy to cook and so much fun to enjoy. I’m sure your whole family will enjoy it.

Nigeria coconut puff puff

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Whenever you’re craving a sweet, filling, and exciting snack, look no further because all you need is Coconut Puff Puff. And you’ll learn how to cook it and more right here, right now!

How to Make Coconut Puff Puff

Despite its incredible quality, Coconut Puff Puff is actually easy and quick to make. Once you know how to make the batter properly, all you have to do is deep fry until done.

Get ready to make the perfect snack that everyone can enjoy!

coconut infused puff puff

Ingredients 

What ingredients do you need to make Coconut Puff Puff?

Desiccated coconut 

It won’t be a Coconut Puff Puff without desiccated coconut.

A desiccated coconut is a form of dried and shredded coconut meat. You can make it by removing the moisture from the coconuts, giving it a dry texture.

As you extract the coconut meat, you need to grate and dry it to get dedicated coconut. Did you know that you can make your own desiccated coconut at home?

From fresh coconuts, you can dry the coconut meat to store for a long time. It also has a subtle sweet flavor with a hint of nutty and warm taste.

There are two types of desiccated coconut: sweetened and unsweetened. Both are good options to use for your Coconut Puff Puff.

I often use desiccated coconut to give Coconut Cake and Coconut Buns the best flavor and quality. It also adds a fragrant aroma that will remind you of a fun summer vacation!

Flour 

Every Puff Puff batter starts with flour.

With its gluten network, it forms the crust and crumbs of the dish. The flour will react with the active dry yeast to make a thick batter that can hold its shape as it cooks.

There are many deep fry recipes you can make with plain flour. You can use it to cook Chicken Bites, Ghanian Bofrot, and Chin Chin to get the best results!

Active dry yeast 

Make it a real Puff Puff recipe with active dry yeast to make them extra fluffy and soft. Indeed, it is a powerful leavening agent for puff pastry recipes to cook at home.

I used this in my Air Fryer Bread recipe, and it really made the bread airy and soft. Try it out with the Coconut Puff Puff recipe to see how well it works!

soft coconut puff puff
Coconut water 

Intensify the nutty and sweet flavor of the Coconut Puff Puff with coconut water in the batter. It adds moisture to the batter to keep the dish moist and tender inside.

The coconut water also activates the dry ingredients for a good texture from the inside out. You can also use it to make Coconut Milk for more of your coconut-flavored recipes!

Seasoning 

The Coconut Puff Puff will surely taste better with a little bit of seasoning. I suggest using sugar, nutmeg, and sea salt for the right balance of flavor.

These seasonings can improve the sweet and nutty flavors of the dish for a richer taste and quality.

Coconut oil 

Just when you think you can never get enough of the sweet and nutty flavor, fry the puff puff in coconut oil. It also adds an awesome taste and aroma to the dish.

You can also trust that its high smoke point can cook the dish well without losing much moisture.

Coconut Puff Puff recipe

Once you have these, it will be easy to make Coconut Puff Puff. You and your loved ones will enjoy every piece of it! 

Directions

Let’s try the Coconut Puff Puff recipe for a fun experience!

  1. Mix water, active dry yeast, and sugar in a bowl.
  2. Cover it with a lid and set it aside to activate. 
  3. Then, mix the flour, sugar, nutmeg, sea salt, and desiccated coconut in a bowl.
  4. Add the activated yeast, warm water, and coconut water in the middle.
  5. Add water to fold the mixture until you get a thick texture.
  6. Cover it with cling film and cloth to set aside for at least 45 minutes.
  7. Heat coconut oil in a deep frying pan over medium-low heat.
  8. Use an ice cream scooper to drop the batter in the oil.
  9. Turn them over with a skewer to cook both sides.
  10. Fry until they are golden brown and transfer to a lined plate.
  11. Finally, top it with desiccated coconut, and serve! 
Nigerian puff puff with coconut

Congratulations, you just made some delicious Coconut Puff Puff! What does it taste like? Don’t forget to share your thoughts and experiences!

Tips

Making Desiccated Coconut

There are desiccated coconuts you can buy in stores. However, if you have leftover coconuts, you can make desiccated coconuts at home too.

You just need to open the coconut, grate it, and let it dry!

Storing Coconut Puff Puff Batter

If you want to set aside some batter for future use, then transfer it into resealable bags or airtight containers to refrigerate and use within three days.

Otherwise, place the batter in a bowl and cover it with cling film and a kitchen towel. You can also freeze it in freezer bags for several weeks.

Once ready to use, let it thaw in the fridge overnight. 

Coconut Puff Puff Variations

What else can you do to upgrade the Coconut Puff Puff recipe?

You can season the batter with some chocolate powder, cocoa powder, and cinnamon to complement the desiccated coconuts. For a milky flavor, you can add in coconut milk and almond milk.

If you don’t have active dry yeast, then you can use self-rising flour for a mix of flour and baking powder. Other than coconut oil, you can deep fry the dish in other oil with smoke points, too.

puff puff recipe with coconut

More Coconut Recipes

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How to Serve Coconut Puff Puff

How do you plan on enjoying the Coconut Puff Puff?

While usually served as snacks, you can also enjoy Coconut Puff Puff as a breakfast meal or side dish. It will surely go perfectly well with sweet, savory, and nutty dishes and drinks.

There are also dips and sauces that can give you a better experience. For instance, you can also go for chocolate, peanut butter, and other condiments.

Make it more appetizing by topping it with powdered sugar, coconut flakes, or desiccated coconut when you serve it. It’s certainly one of the best dishes to serve for kids and adults to enjoy!

puff puff coconut recipe

Here are excellent dishes and drinks you will love with Coconut Puff Puff:

  • Coconut Water – you won’t be able to get enough of the coconut flavors.
  • Fruit Smoothie – enjoy fruity goodness at every bite and sip.
  • Iced Coffee – have some breakfast with coffee and puff puff.
  • Fruit Salad – serve the puff puff as a side dish to your salad.

Storage Tips

At room temperature: Put the coconut puff puffs in a container to store at room temperature for several hours. 

Make Ahead

In the fridge: Seal them in a resealable bag or a container. Then, refrigerate for up to three days. 

To freeze: Keep the puff puffs in freezer bags to freeze for several weeks. 

delicious coconut puff puff recipe

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes puff soft?

In this recipe, the active dry yeast plays an important part in keeping the Coconut Puff Puff soft. It also leaves the batter to allow it to expand to make the crumbs light, airy, and puffy.

How do you preserve puff puff mixture?

You can freeze the puff puff mixture for about a month. Don’t forget to leave some space in the resealable bag to let the batter expand as it freezes.

How to make puff puff?

In making Puff Puff, all you have to do is to make the perfect batter and deep fry it properly. Also, remember to add the leavening agent, like active dry yeast, to really give it a puffy quality.

When deep frying, check if the oil sizzles as you drop the batter in. Use oil with a high smoke point to keep the puff puff crisp outside and soft inside.

Can you boil coconut flakes?

Yes, you can boil coconut flakes, especially if you plan on making Coconut Milk. It will also infuse the water with flavor and texture for a sweet and nutty flavor and a thick and creamy texture.

Nigeria coconut puff puff recipe

Nigerian Coconut Puff Puff

5 from 1 vote
Coconut puff puff is perfect for breakfast or as a snack during the day. This treat is sure to make your day a little sweeter!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 20
Course Snack
Cuisine African, Nigerian
Calories 87kcal

Ingredients
 
 

For the yeast mixture

  • 2 tbsp water (lukewarm)
  • 2 tsp dry yeast (active)
  • 1 tsp sugar

For the batter

  • cups flour
  • 6 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 pinch sea salt
  • 3 tbsp desiccated coconut
  • cup water (lukewarm)
  • cup coconut water
  • Activated yeast mixture (prepped above)

For deep frying

  • coconut puff puff batter (prepped above)
  • coconut oil (enough to deep fry)

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the yeast mixture.
    Combine water, active dry yeast, and sugar in a bowl. Cover it with a lid and set it aside to activate.
  • Make the batter.
    Mix the flour, sugar, nutmeg, sea salt, and desiccated coconut in a bowl. Make a well in the middle and put in the activated yeast, water, and coconut water. Add more water to fold the mixture until you get a thick consistency.
    Cover it with cling film and cloth to set aside. You can also give it a quick rise by heating it in the microwave or oven for 3 minutes. After 45 minutes, the mixture should double in size.
  • Deep fry.
    Heat coconut oil in a saucepan or deep pot over medium-low heat. Mix and scoop your desired batter amount and gently drop it into the hot oil. It should float to the top for proper cooking.
    Turn them over to make sure that they cook all over. Fry until they are golden brown and transfer to a lined tray. Top it with desiccated coconut, and serve!

Video

Notes

  • Make desiccated coconuts by drying or dehydrating and grating the coconut meat.
  • Season the batter with other spices of your choice for enhanced flavor.
  • Add enough water to make it fluffy and light.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 (of 20)Calories: 87kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 2gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.2gSodium: 8mgPotassium: 41mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 0.1IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 4mgIron: 1mg
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