Nigerian Akara – Bean Fritters is one of the best deep-fried fritters in Africa. It’s vegetarian, vegan, tasty, healthy, and delicious! Thus, this dish is made of beans with bell peppers, onions, and scotch bonnet for the right flavor mix.
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They’re crunchy on the outside yet light and air on the inside! This Nigerian Akara dish will surely be one of your favorite comfort foods.
How to Make Nigerian Akara
Bring a piece of Nigeria to your table by making this Nigerian Akara recipe for your loved ones.
Ingredients
Transform these simple ingredients into delicious, spicy, and savory Nigerian Akara.
Beans
I highly suggest using oloyin beans, black-eyed beans, honey beans, or brown beans for sweetness at every bite. These have a unique taste because they’re sweet, earthy, and nutty.
Beans can help prevent cancer, lose weight, protect the heart, and improve overall health. Aside from this dish, High-Protein Beans are also one of my favorite bean dishes!
Red bell peppers
Red bell peppers have a sweet and citrusy flavor, rich color, and crisp texture. These also add a nice aroma to the batter. Additionally, bell peppers make the Nigerian Akara extra appetizing!
These are usually used in African dishes like Yam and Egg Frittata, Jollof Rice, and Chicken Fried Bulgur!
Scotch bonnet
Scotch bonnet makes the fritters more exciting because it adds a spicy and savory flavor. Moreover, mixing it with the sweet taste of beans and bell peppers can bring out an amazing quality.
Don’t forget to store scotch bonnets properly for more of these Nigerian akara!
Onion
Onion adds pungency, aroma, and umami flavors to the dish. Once blended into the batter, it will give an amazing taste and smell for delicious Akara.
Seasoning
Akara can be seasoned with salt and stock cubes for a better flavor. These simple spices allow you to control the overall taste you want to have on your bean cakes.
Oil
Deep fry the Akara batter in oil with a high smoke point to ensure it cooks throughout.
Trust that these ingredients will give you the best results, and you will serve the best homemade Akara your loved ones have tasted! Also, it is truly a taste of Nigeria right in the comfort of your own home.
Directions
- Chop the onion, bell pepper, and scotch bonnet.
- Peel the beans.
- Combine the peeled beans, onion, red bell pepper, scotch bonnet, and some water in a blender.
- Blend the ingredients on high speed until smooth.
- Pour the contents into a bowl.
- Then, season the batter with a stock cube and sea salt.
- Heat cooking oil in a deep frying pan.
- Scoop a spoonful of batter and fry them on low to medium heat.
- Toss them in the oil to prevent burning.
- Once golden brown, remove them from the oil using a skimmer spoon.
- Transfer them onto a plate to serve!
Look at how crispy and crunchy this Nigerian Akara is on the outside. Bite into it to experience the crunchy outside and soft inside goodness of the flavorful crumbs inside. These are so flavorful that you’ll be finishing them in no time!
Tips
Beans
Selection
- Beans are readily available in grocery stores, so you must buy your preferred variant.
- Check the packaging and check if any holes or rotten beans are inside.
Storage
- Store unopened raw beans in containers at room temperature to last up to weeks or months.
- Once peeled, it is best refrigerated or frozen.
- Use refrigerated beans within four days and frozen beans within three months.
Preparation
There are different ways of peeling beans, but this technique is my favorite.
- First, soak the beans in warm water for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Then, rub them between your hands to remove the skin.
- To separate the beans from the peel, add more water until the skin floats to the top.
- Filter the contents with a sieve.
- Repeat the process until all of the beans are peeled.
Red bell peppers and scotch bonnet
Selection
- Purchase bell peppers with colored and firm skin.
- Also, buy bell peppers with stems attached.
- Go for ones that feel heavy for their size.
Storage
- Use room-temperature peppers within five days.
- You can also refrigerate them in resealable bags to prolong their shelf life.
Onion
Selection
- Buy onions without soft spots or rotten areas.
- They should also feel firm and intact.
Storage
- Store the onions at room temperature for more than a week, especially if you place them in a dry and cool area.
How to Make Nigerian Akara Without a Blender
If you don’t have a blender, then you can make the batter using a food processor, food mill, or other similar appliances.
Alternatively, use a grater or a knife to chop the ingredients finely.
Nigerian Akara Variations
Nigerian akara can be cooked with black-eyed beans, sweet beans, or brown beans as long as they’re fresh. Moreover, aside from scotch bonnet, you can also use chili flakes.
However, you can also omit it from the recipe if you don’t want it to be spicy. The recipe’s spices is also flexible so you can use other herbs and spices like paprika or mixed herbs.
Each Akara recipe can be unique if you explore your recipe using more of your favorite ingredients!
Recommended Tools
- Blender: Make the Akara batter using a blender.
- Deep frying pan: Deep fry the bean cakes in a pan.
- Skimmer spoon: Toss the deep-fried pieces in the oil to cook.
- Spoon: Scoop out the batter with a spoon.
- Bowl: Mix the batter in a bowl.
- Spatula: Use a spatula to mix the batter.
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How to Serve Nigerian Akara
Akara may be served on its own, but it can also pair perfectly with pap, bread, and garri.
- Green Plantain Porridge
- Sweet Plantain Pap
- Agege Bread – Super Soft Bread
- Plantain Porridge
- Garri Peanut Smoothie
- Garri Smoothie
When it comes to drinks, you can enjoy these bean cakes with Beetroot Apple Juice, Hibiscus Lemon Tea, or Zobo Drink for an extra refreshing feeling.
Moreover, you can pipe in Strawberry Jam to give the Akara a soft and light quality. For dips, you can opt for Peanut Butter or other condiments of your choice!
Storage Tips
- At room temperature: Put the Akara in an airtight container and store them at room temperature for several hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nigerian akara made of?
Nigerian akara is made of beans, onion, peppers, spices, and scotch bonnet. It also mixes sweet, nutty, and earthy tones in crispy deep-fried comfort food!
Why is my akara not fluffy?
If the akara is not fluffy, then it is likely due to a batter that’s too runny. The batter needs to be thick to make them puffy. Thicken the batter by continuously mixing it.
Do you need to soak the beans?
If you have unpeeled beans, it is best to soak them to remove the skin easily. Otherwise, you can choose not to soak them.
What is Nigerian Akara in English?
In English, Akara is commonly known as beans fritters because it takes on the form and procedure of real fritters.
Nigerian Akara (+VIDEO)
Ingredients
Beans Batter
- 350 g beans (peeled)
- ½ red bell pepper
- 1 scotch bonnet
- ½ onion
- 1 cube Knorr Chicken stock cube
- ½ salt
- oil (enough for deep-frying)
- 1 cup water
For Ganish
- ½ scotch bonnet (for garnish)
- ½ onion (for garnish)
Instructions
Make the batter.
- Combine the peeled beans, onion, red bell pepper, scotch bonnet, and some water in a blender.
- Blend the ingredients on high speed until smooth.
- Pour the contents into a bowl and season the batter with a stock cube and sea salt.
- Add more chopped onion and scotch bonnet.
- Mix until well incorporated.
Frying the akara
- Heat cooking oil in a pot.
- Scoop out a spoonful of batter and fry them on low to medium heat.
- Toss them in the oil to prevent burning.
- Once golden brown, remove them from the oil and transfer them onto a plate to serve!
Video
Notes
- Use black-eyed beans, brown beans, or sweet beans.
- Peel the beans by soaking them, rubbing them between your palms, and draining them.
Nutrition
