When in Nigeria, savor these delicious snacks
What's the story
Nigerian cuisine is rich with flavors and textures, and it's mind-blowingly unique.
Of all the things Nigeria has to offer, snacks like akara, puff puff, and chin chin are the most popular and delicious.
Not only are these snacks consumed in Nigeria, but they have also become an international favorite.
Each of these snacks has its own preparation and flavor, making it a must-try!
Savory snack
Akara: A savory delight
Akara is a popularly consumed Nigerian snack made out of black-eyed peas or beans.
The beans are soaked, peeled and blended to a smooth paste, seasoned with spices like onions, and peppers. The mixture is deep-fried until golden brown.
Akara is commonly eaten as breakfast or street food because of its savory taste and crispy texture. It goes well with pap or custard.
Sweet treat
Puff puff: Sweet fried dough
Another beloved Nigerian snack, puff puff, is known for its sweet flavor and fluffy texture.
The dough, made from flour, sugar, yeast, water, and sometimes nutmeg for an added aroma, is allowed to rise before being deep-fried in small balls until golden brown.
The result is a soft yet slightly chewy treat that can be enjoyed on its own or dusted with powdered sugar for extra sweetness.
Crunchy snack
Chin Chin: Crunchy munchies
Chin chin provides a crunchy contrast to the other two snacks mentioned above.
The snack is made from a dough of flour, sugar, butter or margarine, milk or water, which is cut into small pieces before frying until crisp.
Some variations add nutmeg or vanilla extract for further flavor, while others opt for baking instead of frying as an alternative preparation method.
Snack tips
Tips on enjoying these snacks
To enjoy these Nigerian snacks to the fullest, at home or abroad, we recommend pairing them with complementary beverages like tea, coffee, or juice, depending on what you like.
Also, playing around with different dipping sauces can take your snacking experience to the next level.
For example, try serving akara with spicy tomato sauce, puff puff drizzled with honey syrup, and chin chin with a chilled fruit drink.