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Nigerian Puff Puff Recipe

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This is the best Nigerian Puff puff recipe ever? These little bad treats are so good and I dare you to stop at one. Puff puff is a deep-fried sweet dough that is not only significant to Nigeria but the whole of West Africa. It is similar to Ghanian Bofrot and the French Beignet.

overhead shot of Nigerian puff puf f

Puff puff is one of the favourite snacks for Nigerians and popular street food. It is not only eaten as a snack alone, but you can also eat it any time of the day.  I make it a lot and I mean a lot to a point that I recently told myself I won’t make it for at least another month. Nigerian Puff puff has always been my weakness and I need a detox.

Puff puff is very easy to make and you can always put your signature on it. I always add chilli pepper to mine and it’s always nice and fluffy. I also enjoy it with pepper sauce

Nigerian puff puff

You can’t go wrong with this Nigerian puff puff recipe. I have simplified making this recipe by including step by step guide to help you especially on how to fry it.

Ingredients

600g all-purpose flour

10g fast action yeast

150g sugar (use as desired)

½ tsp salt

550-650g Lukewarm Water

1-3tbsp chilli flakes (substitute with cayenne pepper)

Vegetable oil for frying

Can I make puff puff without yeast?

Unfortunately, it is called puff puff because of the yeast. There is good news for you though, you can make Nigerian puff puff without yeast. Check this buns recipe, alternatively, use self-raising flour, sugar and milk. You can also add an egg if you want but this is optional.

Puff puff needs proofing, so you will need a shallow big bowl that will allow for proofing

If you are using a fast action yeast, you don’t need to proof the yeast, just add to the flour 

puff puff in a plate and two on board

How to make Nigerian Puff puff

In a shallow bowl, add flour and salt together (combine salt with flour first)

Add other dry ingredients and combine well

image collage, one picture have flour, yeast and sugar in it while the other bowl contained the same as bowl one but with chilli flakes

Add lukewarm water to the dry mixture in bits to form a batter. You can add 500g at first then check if it needs more water. (the batter should not be runny and it shouldn’t be thick as well, find a balance in between the two)

Cover the bowl with a cling film or a damp towel and place in a warm place to proof. (Till batter doubles in size usually between an hour or two. You can leave it longer if you want)

image process of how to proof dough

Once the mixture has risen and doubled in size, you then move on to frying.

People always find scooping batter in oil very tricky but I tell you it is very easy.

on medium-high heat, add enough oil to a  frying pan and heat till hot. Drop a tiny bit of batter in hot oil to test and if the batter floats to the top of the heat then it is ready to use.

image of hot vegetable oil in a pan on the cooker with a drop of batter in it testing it for hotness

Method on how to scoop batter to oil with your palm

1.       Get clean water in a bowl

2.       Dip your hand in the water to wet it a bit, shake off excess

3.       Dip your hand in batter, draw the batter towards the bowl and yourself

4.       Keep the batter in between your fingers and palm

process shot of how to make puff puff

5.       Squeeze batter in-between your palm and allow it to drop freely into the oil

6.       Don’t overcrowd the oil

7.       The batter should float to the top of the oil, this is where the magic start, I just love the bits when the puff puff starts turning in the hot oil (reduce the heat a bit at this point so that puff puff can fry through and be well done)

how to fry puff puff

8.       Fry puff puff on both sides till golden brown

9.       Repeat the process till you have exhausted the batter

If the hand method is not for you, simply use a scoop to put the batter in oil.

west african puff puff.
Print Recipe
5 from 4 votes

Puff Puff

Puff puff, a sweet deep-fried dough. A popular street snack in Nigeria and beyond. This recipe comes with clear instructions to making perfect puff puff.
Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time30 mins
proofing time1 hr
Total Time45 mins
Course: Snack
Cuisine: African, Nigerian
Keyword: how to make puff puff, nigerian puff puff, puff puff
Servings: 10
Author: Ajoke

Ingredients

  • 600 g all-purpose flour
  • 10 g fast action yeast
  • 150 g sugar use as desired
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 550-650 ml Lukewarm Water
  • 1 tablespoon chilli flakes substitute with 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon grated nutmeg optional
  • Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

  • In a shallow bowl, add flour and salt together (combine salt with flour first)
  • Add other dry ingredients and combine well
  • Add lukewarm water to the dry mixture in bits to form a batter. You can add 500g at first then check if it needs more water. (the batter should not be runny and it shouldn’t be thick as well, find a balance in between the two)
  • Cover the bowl with a cling film or a damp towel and place in a warm place to proof. (Till batter doubles in size usually between an hour or two. You can leave it longer if you want)
  • Once the mixture has risen and doubled in size, you then move on to frying.

How to fry puff puff

  • on medium-high heat, add enough oil to a frying pan and heat till hot (about 4 inches high). Drop a tiny bit of batter in hot oil to test and if the batter floats to the top of the heat then it is ready to use.
  • Method on how to scoop batter to oil with your palm: People always find scooping batter in oil very tricky but I tell you it is very easy.Get clean water in a bowl
    Dip your hand in the water to wet it a bit, shake off excess
    Dip your hand in batter, draw the batter towards the bowl and yourself
    Keep the batter in between your fingers and palm
    Squeeze batter in-between your palm and allow it to drop freely into the oil
    Don’t overcrowd the oil (Please refer to images in post for reference)
  • The batter should float to the top of the oil, this is where the magic start, I just love the bits when the puff puff starts turning in the hot oil (reduce the heat a bit at this point so that puff puff can fry through and be well done)
  • Fry puff puff on both sides till golden brown
  • Repeat the process till you have exhausted the batter
  • If the hand method is not for you, simply use a scoop to put the batter in oil. 

Notes

Can I make Puff Puff without yeast?
Unfortunately, it is called puff puff because of the yeast. There is good news for you though, you can make Nigerian puff puff without yeast. Check this buns recipe, alternatively, use self-raising flour, sugar and milk. You can also add an egg if you want but this is optional.
Puff puff needs proofing, so you will need a shallow big bowl that will allow for proofing
If you are using a fast action yeast, you don’t need to proof the yeast, just add to the flour.

Serve with any side or drinks of choice. You have to try this recipe with the refreshing zobo drink.

If you think this Nigerian puff puff recipe is good then you have to try Nigerian buns and Choc chips vanilla puff puff

If you made this recipe, don’t forget to leave me feedback. Tag me on Instagram and save away to your Pinterest

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marie Ngandu says

    5 stars
    I struggled a lot when I was trying to make puff puff, and especially THE SHAPE but I followed your steps, step by step and I just want to say Thank You so much !

     
    Reply

  3. Bobby says

    I allow the dough rise but I never get to check it is up to 1 hour , and once I start frying it turns out flat and has a lot of oil in it.

     
    Reply

  5. Gloria says

    Hi Ajoke,

    I’ve been wanting to make some puff puff but I only have Instant yeast at home. isit okay to use instant yeast and is that what you meant by ‘fast action yeast’?
    I know alot of people tend to use dry yeast and mix it with water.

    Secondly, isit okay for me to use the instant yeast and if so how do i use it? do I need to dissolve it with water as the one I have at home is a block and tightly sealed.

    Lastly, if it is okay for me to use the instant yeast, how do i store the remaining of the yeast once i’ve opened the packet as it is a block of yeast?

    I would really appreciate it if you got back to me.

    i know it is a lot of questions I’m throwing at you above, I sincerely apologies but I just wanted to make ensure that I clear out the question marks I currently have.

    Thank you in advance Ajoke,

    Many Thanks

    Gloria

     
    Reply

    • Ajoke says

      Hello Gloria, it is no bother at all. Instant yeast is the same as fast action yeast. I have never used block of yeast for puff puff (fresh yeast) before so I am not able to advise on how to use it. I am sorry couldn’t be of help. thanks

       
      Reply

  9. Bee 🐝 says

    I just made my batter. I hope it turn out good because I had a problem with the amount of flour. My measuring cup has only cups and ml so converting to gram was an issue even tho I checked the internet. Thanks for the recipe 💝 I’ll let you know how it turns out

     
    Reply

  11. Wifeofthelacq says

    Omgeeee !!! I made it and it came out very good, My husband had about ten before I was done. The only thing was the measurement was off so I had to do my own calculations the 600g is equivalent to almost 4cups and the sugar is almost one cup. I used one cup of brown sugar

     
    Reply

  15. joy oserohwovo says

    Hi dear, thanks for this, been wanting 2learn. God bless. I just made it (Infact still in the kitchen) and it didn’t turn out so well. The batter didn’t rise after 3hrs and it’s flat in instead of round, I think it’s cause it didn’t rise. Please leme know what my error was. Already boasted to my colleagues that i’ll be making some puf.

    Thanks

     
    Reply

    • Ajoke says

      Sorry to hear about this Joy and tell your colleagues you will nail it next time. Like you said too, the puff puff was flat because the batter did not rise. Next time you want to try it, make sure you check the date on your yeast to be sure it is not out of date.
      2. keep your water warm and not hot (the yeast would not activate if the water is hot)
      3. use fast action yeast and still follow the process on here.
      Please don’t give up as I know it can be frustrating, I’m sure you will nail it this time ’round.
      thanks and I hope this helps. kindly keep me posted

       
      Reply

    • Ajoke says

      Nutmeg yes, but baking soda is a NO NO as far as I know and you don’t need baking powder too just add yeast and any other things you want. thanks

       
      Reply

    • Ajoke says

      I don’t see why not, it shouldn’t stop it from rising. please let me know how it turns out. thanks

       
      Reply

  20. Lade M says

    lol @ puff puff will always be bae. Love your step by step pic guide, it will come in handy the next time i make my puff puff as I struggle a lot with getting it to form a round ball. well done

     
    Reply

    • Ajoke says

      yes o. it will always be evergreen. thanks for stopping by and do try it out and let me know how it turns out.

       
      Reply

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