Puff Puff Recipe (Nigerian Snack)

Puff puff is a sweet, soft, and dense fried batter snack, an African deep-fried snack, loved and eaten by Nigerians home and broad.

This Nigerian puff puff recipe is perfect if you want to try out some pastry but don’t have an oven. You can make it effortless without getting your hand messy!

To start, check out this Deep-Fried dish for a fun way to make fluffy, flavorful, and easy treats! 

Gentle warning! Double this recipe if you want to enjoy it to the fullest. It’s irresistible and highly addictive too! It can be served at parties as a starter (or small chops or snacks).

How to Make Nigerian Puff Puff

The great thing about this dish is that it’s easy and fun to make. It uses simple ingredients and basic tools, from making the batter to frying! You can ask your siblings or kids to make it with you for quality time! 

Ingredients

Self-rising flour 

This flour is the best variant to use for puff pastry. From its very name, you can tell that it is a powerful leavening agent that blends well with yeast. It adds air which causes the batter to expand and turn into fluffy fried dough. 

I can assure you that self-rising flour is an effective leavening agent because I also use it for Vanilla Cake and American Pancakes!

Yeast 

To make it extra rich on the inside, add yeast to the batter for an extra rise. This ingredient is perfect for doubling the batter in size and increasing the volume for more puff puffs. 

Yeast helps make the dish airy and fluffy, similar to whenever I make No-Oven Bread, Donuts, and Pizza Margherita!

Seasoning

Use sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, and sea salt to make the food delicious from the inside out. These spices enrich the overall quality of the snack. They even add to the perfect browning process once fried. 

Dry skimmed milk 

Dry skimmed milk is nutritious for bone health, immunity, and energy. It contains protein, calcium, and vitamins for a nourished body. Use it for puff pastry to add a creamy and sweet flavor to every bite.

Water 

Do not forget the water to activate the leavening ingredients. It evenly distributes the components for evenly flavored and textured puff puffs.

Sunflower oil

To deep-fry, always use oil with a high smoking point. It helps retain the nutrients of the dish without compromising the quality and taste. 

Just imagine the mouthwatering fusion of flavors and textures of the puff puffs. Feel that crunchy and airy touch and the fragrant and rich aroma and flavor! Wait until you see how fun and easy it is to make! 

Directions

1. Make the batter.

Mix the self-rising flour, dried skimmed milk, sugar, nutmeg, salt, cinnamon, and yeast using a whisk in a bowl. Add water and combine until you achieve a slightly thick consistency. 

Cover it with cling film and a towel until it doubles in size after 45 minutes to 1 hour. Mix until the bubbles disappear to prevent holes in the puff puff.

2. Prepare the piping material.

You can use a resealable bag if you don’t have a piping bag. Place it in a glass for stability. Pour in the batter. 

Heat cooking oil in a deep frying pan at medium-low heat. To check if it’s ready, scoop a small amount of the batter and slowly drop it into the oil. If it floats in the oil, it’s ready for frying! 

3. Start deep-frying. 

Snip off a tip of the bag about ½  cm wide. Cut the batter as they drop into the oil according to your preferred size. Keep turning them with a skewer to fry them all over. 

Allow frying until golden brown. Push them down into the oil and stir to help them turn brown evenly. Use a skimmer to transfer the puff puff into a tray lined with a kitchen roll.

Isn’t this dish so satisfying to make? Even its golden brown color is also extremely appetizing. And that heavenly crispy and crunchy texture takes this food to a new level! 

Tips

How to Store Dry Ingredients

• According to Polygon Group, condiments such as yeast and self-rising flour are best stored in the fridge either in their original packaging or in airtight containers.
• Keep the other ingredients dry and warm to extend shelf life. 

How to Store Yeasted Batter

• You can store leftover batter in resealable bags in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• It can also be put in a bowl and covered with cling film and cloth.
• Alternatively, freeze it in freezer bags or containers for several weeks.
• To thaw, leave the frozen batter in the fridge overnight. 

Homemade Self-Rising Flour

To make your own self-rising flour, just combine a cup of all-purpose flour, with half a teaspoon of sea salt, and 1 and ½ teaspoons of baking powder.

Store this in an airtight container to last up to several months. Once it releases a foul odor, discard it immediately.

Alternative Ways to Fry Puff Puff

If you don’t have a resealable bag, you can use your hands to section the batter into your preferred size. Gently drop it into the hot oil. You can also use a spoon to make evenly-sized puff pastry. 

Puff Puff Variations

This dish is a vegan-friendly and gluten-free recipe that is customizable in flavor. Simply add other flavored condiments of your choice such as chocolate powder, cocoa, vanilla extract, desiccated coconut, chili flakes, and more! 

Aside from dry skimmed milk, you can also use non-dairy products such as almond milk, oat milk, coconut milk, or rice powder. If you don’t have yeast, you can use baking powder as a leavening agent. 

Recommended Tools

• Deep frying pan: Deep fry the batter in a non-stick pan. 
• Skimmer: Submerge and toss the puff-puff in the oil with a skimmer or slotted spoon.
• Resealable or piping bag: Fry the proper batter using this equipment.
• Scissors: Cut the batter into your desired sizes. 
• Measuring cups and spoons: Measure the number of ingredients for perfectly-made puff puffs.
• Glass bowl: Make the batter in a glass bowl.
• Whisk: Stir the ingredients with a whisk.
• Skewer: Toss the puff puff in the oil using a skewer.

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How to Serve Nigerian Puff Puff

Puff puffs make excellent snacks, desserts, or appetizers for parties, events, and picnics. You can serve it with dips in different flavors, such as chocolate sauce, cream, caramel dip, and more! Garnish it with powdered sugar, coconut flakes, syrups, or whipped goods. 

Alternatively, you can fill in the puff puffs with different flavors such as chocolate, custard, fruit sauces, and strawberry jam. You may slice it into two and add some spreads, sliced fruits, or creams to make mini-puff sandwiches. 

Here are some drinks and juices to go with the puff puff:

• Peanut Butter Banana Milkshake
• Chocolate Almond Milk
• Iced Coffee
• Strawberry Banana Milkshake
• Fruit Smoothie

Nigerian Puff Puff Storage Tips

• At room temperature: Puff puff can be left at room temperature for several hours. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is puff puff healthy?

It’s definitely a nutritious alternative to chips, desserts, and snacks. Since it’s homemade, you can ensure that there are no preservatives or additives that can harm your health. 

Moreover, you can ensure that it’s vegan and gluten-free for a proper diet. 

Why are the puff puffs too soft?

If they are too mushy, add a bit of flour to make the consistency thicker for airy desserts. Consequently, if they are too dense, you can add a few tablespoons of water to make them denser. 

Why is the batter not rising?

This may be due to expired self-rising flour or yeast. According to to Add A Pinch, you can test the self-rising flour by combining half a teaspoon of the flour with vinegar. If it becomes bubbly and foamy, you can still use it for pastry. 

The Spruce Eats also recommends trying the yeast by combining it with a bit of sugar and water. After about 15 minutes, check if the batter has risen. Don’t forget to let the batter rise for 45 minutes to 1 hour before frying.