Akara | Nigerian Bean Fritters

These delicious bean fritters can be eaten for breakfast, as a snack (served with your favourite dips), or as an appetiser.

Deep-fried akara

Ingredients

2 cups black eyed beans (peeled)

1 medium onion

1 large red bell pepper

1 scotch bonnet pepper

Salt to taste

Sunflower oil

Soak the beans for a few hours. Peel the skin off by rubbing them between you hands. The skin should fall off easily, but the process can be long and arduous (so please watch the video above to learn a quick and easy hack for peeling the beans more efficiently).

Grind the peeled beans, peppers and onion to form a thick batter. I used one cup of water to lighten the mixture for this recipe. You be the judge, but just make sure that it does not get too runny. 

Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and season with salt. 

Heat some oil in a deep fryer or large frying pan. Add the mixture in spoonfuls, making sure to avoid overcrowding the pan. Fry until golden brown on both sides and drain on some kitchen paper.

These are so good fresh and hot, but taste just as good when they're warm/cold. Enjoy!