Pan-Fried Akara

Akara is a popular Nigerian breakfast staple served usually with pap, oat, and bread. It is made from pureed beans and is quite easy to make.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups brown or white beans
• 2 – 3 pieces scotch bonnet pepper, atarodo
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• Salt to taste
• Oil frying

PROCEDURE

Step 1

Peel your beans and soak for about 1 to 2 hours to soften for easy blending, if you don’t have a powerful blender.

Step 2

Transfer into a blender and a little bit of water to make a thick paste and blend until smooth.

You could add some red bell peppers for colour (Optional)

Step 3

Whisk the beans for about 4 to 6 minutes to incorporate air into the batter.

Step 4

Heat up a pan over low heat and add a little bit of veg oil.

Scoop about a cooking spoon of batter into a small bowl, season with salt, add a bit of the chopped onion and give it a good mix. (Only add salt to the batch you are about to fry as adding salt to the whole batter would make it watery and not as fluffy).

Pour batter into the pan and spread it out a bit using the back of a spoon. Allow it to cook for about 1 minute.

Step 5

Flip and cook for about 45 to 50 seconds.

Step 6

While pressing down a bit to ensure it cooks through. Take it out and repeat process till batter is used up.

Step 7

Serve.