Puff Puff Recipe (African Snack)

Give everyone a fun time by serving African snacks, starting with an all-time favorite: Puff Puff!

Puff Puff is a popular snack in West Africa, known for how crisp it is outside yet tender and light inside. The batter is made from scratch and deep-fried until crunchy and golden brown.

It is widely loved in many parts of the world, and now, in your home too. You will surely appreciate how easy and simple it is to make, even on a busy day.

Once you try it, you will definitely be adding to your go-to deep frying recipes. Serve it for breakfast, snacks, desserts, or celebrations for the best bonding time!

How to Make Puff Puff

With its awesome quality, you might not believe how effortless it is to make these. After making the batter from scratch, all you need to do is deep fry until ready.

Make sure to make everyone because all of your guests will surely want a taste of these Puff Puffs!

Ingredients

The secret to any Puff Puff recipe is to know the best ingredients to use to make it.

Self-rising flour 

Whenever I make these snacks, self-rising flour is always the flour I use. It already has all-purpose flour and baking powder for a puffy, airy, and fluffy quality.

The flour will be the foundation of the batter, while the baking powder will act as a leavening agent to really give it a “puff.” In fact, I also use self-rising flour for Vanilla Cake and American Pancakes!

Yeast

Get the perfect texture inside and out with the help of yeast. It is a powerful leavening agent that allows the batter to double in size for more volume.

Once it reacts with the self-rising flour, you will notice how much volume and air it adds. Yeast helps make the dish airy and fluffy, similar to No-Oven Bread, Donuts, and Pizza Margherita!

Seasoning

Give the dish a rich and festive flavor with the right spices. In this recipe, I suggest using sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, and sea salt for a burst of flavor.

With these spices, you can make sure that it will have a good balance of sweet, nutty, warm, spicy, and woody flavors.

Dry skimmed milk

Have you ever wondered why it tastes similar to cake? It might be because of dry skimmed milk. The milk adds a creamy, decadent, and pleasant flavor to the dish.

In fact, the milk also gives the dish a beautiful golden brown effect when cooked. According to Milky Day, skimmed milk is a good source of protein, calcium, and potassium!

Sunflower oil

Whenever you deep fry, always use oil with a high smoking point. It prevents the oil from becoming too oily while ensuring that you get the right texture and flavor of the food.

Just imagine the mouthwatering fusion of flavors and textures of the Puff Puff. 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

Here’s everything you need to do when cooking Puff Puff:

Make the batter

1. Mix the self-rising flour, dried skimmed milk, sugar, nutmeg, salt, cinnamon, and yeast using a whisk in a bowl.
2. Pour in the water.
3. Whisk until everything is well-mixed.
4. Then, cover the bowl with cling film and a towel.
5. Wait until it doubles in size after 45 minutes to an hour.
6. Mix until there are no more bubbles.

Deep frying time!

1. Pour the batter into a piping bag.
2. Heat oil in a deep frying pan at medium-low heat.
3. Pipe a small amount of batter into the oil.
4. Then, toss the batter in the oil with a skewer
5. Fry until golden brown.
6. Use a skimmer to remove heat.
7. Let the Puff Puff cool on a lined tray.

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

Tips

Dry Ingredients

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

How to Store Yeasted Batter

• You can store the batter in resealable bags in the fridge for up to three 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 one and ½ teaspoons of baking powder.

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

Puff Puff Variations

How can you take your Puff Puff to the next level?

You can 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, then you can use baking powder as a leavening agent. 

In fact, you can make a hole in the puff puff to pipe in your favorite fillings. You can also cut them into halves and use a spread or jam you like.

Recommended Tools

• Deep frying pan: Deep fry the batter in a non-stick pan. 
• Skimmer: Remove the puff puff from the heat with a skimmer.
• Piping bag: Fry the proper batter using this equipment.
• Glass bowl: Make the batter in a glass bowl.
• Whisk: Stir the ingredients with a whisk.
• Skewer: Toss the batter in the oil using a skewer.
• Kitchen towel: Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel.
• Cling film: Seal the batter using cling film.

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How to Serve 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 them with different flavors such as chocolate, custard, and strawberry jam.

You may slice it into two and add some spreads, sliced fruits, or creams to make mini 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

Storage Tips

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is puff puff called in English?

In English, Puff Puff can be called “fried dough.” However, there are other deep-fried dough recipes that can be called in a different name.

Is eating puff puff healthy?

Eating Puff Puff occasionally can be good for your health. However, remember to balance it with other healthy food. Since it is deep-fried, it is high in carbohydrates and fats.

Why is puff puff hard?

If the Puff Puff feels too hard, then it is likely due to overcooking it in the oil. Once it turns golden brown, remove it from heat and let it cool for the right texture.

How long does puff puff last?

It depends on how you store it. At room temperature, the Puff Puff can last up to several hours. They may last longer in the fridge, but there will be changes in texture.

You can also store the Puff Puff batter in the fridge or freezer. Thaw it in the microwave once ready for use.