Akara (How to make fluffy Akara Balls)
Akara is a delicious and easy-to-make place based African food that is made from black-eyed peas, peppers, onions, and spices. Akara balls also called black eyed peas fritters in English are light and fluffy on the inside with a slightly crispy exterior.
- Prep time
- 10 min
- Cook time
- 15 min
- Yield
- 6 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
- 2 cup Dry uncooked Black eyed peas ((cleaned, peeled and soaked for 1 -2hrs))
- 1 habanero pepper
- 1 large onion ((cut up for blending))
- 1 tsp Salt or bouillon ((More to taste))
- 3/4 cup water
- 3 cup Canola Oil (( for deep frying ))
Instructions
- 1
Using a tray, sift through the beans to remove any dirt. Rinse beans in water then start rubbing them in between your palms to remove the skin. (See note 5 on how to do this with a blender ) When the skin is peeled and all that skins drained off, soak the beans for 1 to 2 hours.
- 2
Transfer the soaked beans into the blender, add the onion, pepper and 3/4 cup of water and blend till smooth.
- 3
Scoop batter into the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attached.
- 4
Add salt then whisk the batter for about 6 mins to incorporate air into the mixture.
- 5
While you are whisking the batter, heat up the oil for frying.
- 6
When the oil is hot, scoop the batter into the oil with your hand be careful not to let your fingers touch the hot oil. ( see note 4 below for how to know if the oil is hot enough) Alternatively you can scoop the batter quarter cup by quarter cup. Do not crowd the pan.
- 7
Fry till golden brown. Remember to flip the Akara to the other side so that the Akara balls brown evenly.
- 8
Transfer to a frying basket lined with kitchen paper towel to absorb any excess oil.
- 9
Serve and enjoy.
- 10
Serve Akara with pap, make a burger or sandwich with bread, enjoy with Garri or on its own. You will find detailed pairings in the blog post.