Puff Puff Ingredients and Measurement
Puff Puff Ingredients and Measurement. Please Watch:
Puff Puffs are a beloved African delicacy that can be enjoyed as either a sweet treat or a savory snack.
Their bite-sized nature makes them especially fun for kids, yet they remain dangerously tempting for adults! As the Fall season sets in, Puff Puffs serves as the perfect warming snack for the entire family.
While there are numerous variations of this dish, particularly in the sauces and toppings used, the basic ingredients remain consistent and are typically staples in most pantries.
Every time I prepare these, I am transported back to cherished childhood memories. I hope you enjoy making and eating them just as much as I do, and I encourage you to create lasting memories with your little ones through this delightful snack.
What Is Puff Puff? Puff Puff Ingredients and Measurement
Not to be confused with puff pastry, Puff Puff is an irresistibly delicious deep-fried batter enjoyed across several African countries. In Cameroon and Nigeria, it is commonly referred to as Puff Puff.
The French-speaking regions call it Les Beignets, while Ghanaians have a similar version known as Bofrot or Togbei.
Liberians enjoy their version called Kala, and in the Congo, it is known as Mikale. As a popular street food in West and Central Africa, Puff Puff is a snack deeply rooted in culture and tradition.
Puff Puff Ingredients and Measurement
Ingredients and Basic Preparation
The key ingredients for making Puff Puff include flour, sugar, yeast, salt, water, and oil for frying.
In Cameroon, this simple combination forms the foundation of traditional Puff Puff.
In Nigeria, the recipe is nearly identical, though the batter is sometimes thicker, and nutmeg is often added to enhance the flavor.
Variations and Substitutions
While the classic Puff Puff recipe is undeniably delicious, there are many ways to switch it up for different flavors and textures.
Here are some creative variations:
- Puff Puff with Egg and Milk: Replace water with milk and add an egg for a richer, creamier batter.
- Coconut Puff Puff: Use coconut milk instead of water for a subtle coconut flavor.
- Chocolate Puff Puff: Add cocoa powder to the batter for a chocolatey twist.
- Stuffed Puff Puff: Fill the batter with a chocolate spread or pastry cream before frying for a delightful surprise.
- Warm Spices: Incorporate nutmeg, cinnamon, or ginger for an extra burst of flavor.
Why This Recipe Works
- Experience: Having made Puff Puff countless times, I have perfected the technique. Though I initially struggled with scooping the batter properly, practice has made me an expert. If anyone can teach you the ABCs of making Puff Puff, it’s me!
- Authenticity: This is a cherished childhood street food from my home country, Cameroon. I grew up eating it and have mastered the key ingredients that make for the perfect Puff Puff.
- Ease: My goal is to simplify cooking, and this Puff Puff recipe is no exception. With just four simple ingredients, you’ll find it incredibly easy to make.
- Versatility: Once you have perfected the basic recipe, you can experiment with different flavors and variations to suit your taste.
Puff Puff Ingredients and Measurements
This is the ultimate guide on how to make Puff Puff. This quintessential Central and West African street food is fluffy on the inside, slightly crunchy on the outside, and simply irresistible.
Best of all, it requires only a few simple ingredients!
Ingredients (Makes About 25 Balls of Puff Puff)
- 2 cups (250g) of plain flour
- 2 teaspoons of yeast (the type used in baking bread)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 3 pinches of salt
- Lukewarm water (for mixing the batter)
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
Nigerian Puff Puff Recipe
Preparing the Yeast
Before making Nigerian Puff Puff, it’s important to prepare the yeast correctly.
If you are using yeast that comes in tiny pebbles or a paste-like form, mix it with lukewarm water and set it aside. You will add this mixture later after incorporating water into the Puff Puff batter.
However, if your yeast is in powdered form, you can add it directly to the dry ingredients as outlined below.
Recipe for Puff Puff: Ingredients and Mixing the Batter
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, ground nutmeg, powdered yeast, sugar, and salt. Mix well to ensure even distribution of the ingredients.
- Gradually add water in small amounts while mixing by hand. Continue stirring until all ingredients are well blended. If you previously mixed the yeast with lukewarm water, now is the time to add it. Using warm water can help the batter rise faster.
- Keep mixing until the batter is smooth but thick enough not to flow freely from a spoon. The consistency should be thicker than pancake batter.
Allowing the Batter to Rise
- Cover the bowl with aluminum foil, ensuring it is airtight by pressing the edges of the bowl securely.
- Let the batter sit in a warm place for approximately 45 minutes. You will know it is ready when the mixture has increased in volume and has visible air bubbles.
Heating the Oil for Frying
- Pour oil into a deep pot, ensuring it is at least three inches deep. This depth is crucial for achieving a round shape when frying the Puff Puff. Although a deep fryer can be used, it is not ideal due to its netting. If you decide to use one, set the temperature to 170°C.
- To test if the oil is hot enough, drop a small amount of batter into the oil. If it sizzles and rises to the surface, the oil is ready. However, if the batter sinks and stays at the bottom, allow the oil to heat up further.
Frying the Puff Puff
- Once the oil reaches the correct temperature, scoop some batter into the oil using your hand. Press the batter between your thumb and index finger to release small portions into the oil. Watching a video demonstration can help perfect this technique.
- Continue adding more batter scoops, ensuring not to overcrowd the frying pot.
- When the underside of the Puff Puff turns golden brown, flip each ball to fry the other side.
- Once both sides are golden brown, remove the Puff Puff from the oil and place them in a sieve. To reduce excess oil, line the sieve with paper towels, which will absorb any remaining oil.
Serving Suggestions
Your delicious Nigerian Puff Puff is now ready! Serve it warm with a chilled drink.
You can also enhance the taste by adding jam or other condiments typically paired with doughnuts.
Puff Puff Ingredients and Measurement: FAQs
What are the ingredients for Puff Puff?
Puff Puff is a popular snack in West Africa, known as Bofrot (Togbei) in Ghana and Beignet in Cameroon and French-speaking regions.
The basic ingredients include flour, sugar, yeast, water, salt, and oil for deep frying.
How many spoons of yeast are needed for 3kg of flour?
For 3kg of all-purpose flour, use:
- 810g of sugar
- 9 tablespoons of yeast
- 9 tablespoons of milk
- 3 teaspoons of nutmeg
- 3 teaspoons of salt
- ½ teaspoon of milk emulsion
- 11 cups of water
Combine all ingredients thoroughly, cover with cling film, and allow to proof before frying until golden brown.
How can I make my Puff Puff rise faster?
To speed up the rising process:
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap and aluminum foil.
- Place a bowl filled with warm water underneath (warm water bath method).
- Let the dough sit in the warm environment for about 30 minutes to rise.
How long should Puff Puff rise in Nigeria?
In warm climates, Puff Puff dough should be left to rise for 1–2 hours until it doubles in size. Once the dough has risen, mix it gently before frying in oil heated to 170°C–180°C.
Puff Puff Ingredients and Measurement Conclusion
Puff Puff is more than just a snack—it’s a taste of tradition, nostalgia, and pure joy.
Whether you stick to the classic recipe or explore exciting variations, this delicious deep-fried treat is sure to become a household favorite.
Enjoy the process, experiment with flavors, and most importantly, make lasting memories with every batch!
