Yam ball is another homemade snack loved by Nigerians and it is very popular in Ghana too.
My mum taught me how to make this simple but delicious yam balls. Any time we have cooked yam leftovers, you can be assured that she’s going to make yam balls. I have made today’s recipe as my mum would make hers. She doesn’t stuff her yam balls and she has only ever used canned sardines. She would mix the flaked fish with the well seasoned mashed yam and form into balls.
Yam ball is very easy to make and very versatile too. It can be made vegetarian, you can add all sort of goodies to it to make it to your personal preference. One of the ingredients which is important in achieving a crunchy yam ball is breadcrumbs. In the absence of breadcrumbs, you can use flour but I always use breadcrumbs for the golden and crunchy effect.
Yam balls can be eaten as snacks, or main meal depending on the amount you eat at a time. You can also serve it as a starter when hosting a dinner party. It is suitable for children’s lunch packs and it can be healthy when eaten in moderation.
What are you still waiting for? Let’s get cooking
Ingredients
Small tuber of yam
Sardine
Salt
Mixed peppers chopped (optional, I used my homemade hot sauce which will be available for sale soon)
Spring onions, chopped (optional)
Chilli flakes
Ground garlic, (optional)
Seasoning
Dried or fresh parsley
2 eggs
Breadcrumbs (Click here for recipe)
Butter
Vegetable oil for frying
How to make yam balls
Peel the yam and cut into small chunks, rinse till clean, add to a pan, add enough water to cover it. Add salt to taste and bring to boil till soft.
While you are waiting on the yam to boil,
Separate the egg yolk from white (put in a separate bowl)
Drain the oil from the sardine if using sardines in sunflower
Check on the yam, once it is done, drain the water, add 2-3tbsp of butter and mash till smooth. (I don’t recommend using blender or food processor for this part as it makes the yam stretchy and that is not what you want)
Add the parsley, any other dry ingredients you will be using to the mashed yam, follow by the sardine and mix together till well combined (you can use your hand to mix if you want) check for salt and seasoning and adjust accordingly
Add the yolks and mix to combine
Proceed to add finely chopped mixed peppers or homemade hot sauce to the mashed yam and mix again to combine.
Whisk the reserved egg white till well combined.
At this point, you can choose to put the oil on the stove or wait till you are done moulding the yam balls.
Mould the mashed yam to small balls, dip into the whisked egg white and then into the bread crumbs. Place on a clean plate, repeat this process till you have exhausted the mashed yam
Place a shallow pan on high heat if you haven’t done so before. Add vegetable oil and heat till hot. Test the oil to be sure it’s hot enough. Add a tiny drop of the mashed yam or egg white and if it floats to the top then the oil is ready to use.
Drop the yam balls into the hot oil carefully, do not overcrowd the oil and fry till golden brown. Place on a kitchen towel to drain oil.
Repeat process for all the yam balls. Serve immediately or allow to cool. You can have it with salad, hot sauce or just on its own.
I ran out of breadcrumbs and I was too lazy to make another batch, so I used flour to coat the remaining yam balls. I think I prefer the one with breadcrumbs tho
If you try this recipe, let me know what you think! Leave a comment below, it makes me a happy bunny and don’t forget to take a pic of your food. Tag @myactivekitchen when you do. See you on my next post. x
This is a really smart idea. Don’t know how I have lived my life not knowing about this 🙆🏾
I know right, do give it a go and let me know how it turns out
I tried making this for my girlfriend last night. It was a bit messy but we laughed over it and ate it. She’s going to make her own soon and I certainly believe it won’t be as messy as mine . Thanks for making the memories. P.S She slept over 😉
Hahahahahahaha…. Thanks for the feedback bro
I tried the yam ball yesterday, I followed your recipe and method and the results was wow. Thanks so much. I would have love to show the picture but don’t know how to tag it to this message. U are the best.
Nice one dear, i can’t wait to try it.
Yay, do leave us a feedback when you do
Wow! Thanks for this am going to try this tomorrow.
You are welcome name sake. Kindly let us know your thots. x
Recipe for yam balls well noted, but my mom used to prepare hers with breadcrumbs.
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