Akkara Balls Recipe

Experience the authentic taste of Nigerian street food with these delicious Akkara Balls! Often found at roadside stalls, these savory bean fritters are incredibly easy to make at home. We use simple ingredients and a quick cooking method to create perfectly crispy balls that are mild enough to pair with a vibrant array of spicy sauces – from homemade to store-bought. Customize your spice level, or enjoy them plain and let the sauces do the talking! This recipe uses canned beans for ultimate convenience, but feel free to soak dried beans overnight for a deeper flavor.

Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Calories 15.5 kcal
Protein 1g
Rating 2.3 (3 Reviews)
Akkara Balls 37

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Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Akkara Balls

  • 1 (15 ounce) can black-eyed peas
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • about 1 inch vegetable oil
  • 1-2 tablespoons water (optional)

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How to Make Akkara Balls

  1. Drain one (15-ounce) can of black-eyed peas thoroughly.
  2. In a blender, combine the drained black-eyed peas, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper.
  3. Blend until a thick, slightly coarse paste forms. Add 1-2 tablespoons of water if needed to achieve the desired consistency.
  4. Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  5. Once the oil is hot (a small amount of batter dropped in should sizzle immediately), carefully spoon 1-2 tablespoons of the bean paste into the hot oil, creating small ball shapes.
  6. Fry the Akkara balls for 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Avoid overcrowding the pan.
  7. Remove the cooked Akkara balls from the skillet and place them on a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
  8. Serve immediately with your favorite spicy sauce, chutney, or tomato ketchup.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

2 g

Sugar

0g

Fat

0g

Carbs

0g