How To Make Akara (Black Eyed Peas Fritters): Easy Black Eyed Peas Akara Recipe

Love akara but don’t know how to make akara at home? No problem! This easy black eyed peas akara recipe will have you whipping up batches of this delicious Nigerian fritters in no time.

You have probably eaten akara at your local Nigerian joint and loved it. But when you try making it yourself at home, it might not taste quite like what you had from the local akara joint. 

The truth is, making akara isn’t all that tricky, but you need to get the ingredients right.

This recipe will help you get the best out of black-eyed peas, just like the way African chefs do it in their restaurants and food joints.

What Is Akara?

Akara is a Nigerian food made from black-eyed peas and spices. It’s often served with fried akamu, garri, soft white bread, or eaten alone as an appetizer.

Akara is popular street food in West Africa and Nigeria in particular. Street vendors often sell it on roadsides or at local markets.

Akara is made with black-eyed peas, onions, spices like cayenne pepper and nutmeg, fresh ginger root, and sometimes tomatoes or tomato paste for color.

The mixture is formed into balls and deep-fried until golden brown on each side.

It’s one of those Saturday breakfast food we looked forward to eating every week. Thoughts of freshly fried akara brings back beautiful childhood memories!

What Does Akara Taste Like?

Akara is a savory and spicy Nigerian snack that typically has a crunchy exterior and a flavorful, dough-like interior that is moist yet soft to the touch.

Those trying akara for the first time tend to be surprised that akara does not have a heavy beans-like flavor (all thanks to the ingredients).

However, its flavor mostly depends on the bean you are using, as every bean has its own flavor.

Is Akara Healthy?

Akara is generally healthy because it contains ingredients rich in proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals needed by the body to function properly.

It also has low-fat content, making it a good option for folks interested in weight loss.

My only gripe with akara is that it has to be deep-fried. Healthier oils like coconut oil can be used as a replacement for peanut or vegetable oil.

Is Akara Fattening?

Well, it depends. If you are eating akara that is fried in unhealthy oil, then yes, it can be fattening.

But if you are eating akara made with healthy ingredients and fried in healthy oil, it can actually be quite healthy. So, it all comes down to how it is prepared.

Ingredients For This Easy Black Eyed Peas Akara Recipe

2 Cups Black-Eyed Beans (Or Honey Beans) Or Bean Flour

Black-eyed beans will make the recipe more nutritious and provide an extra protein boost.

1-2 Habanero Peppers (Chopped) 

Adding a habanero pepper to your dish will add a lot of flavor without using extra salt or other seasonings.

1/2 Bulb of Onion (Chopped)

Onion gives a sweet taste that is not overpowering.

1 Tbsp Ground Crayfish (Optional) 

Crayfish adds a nice savory flavor, perfect for those who love eating savory food while giving a nice juicy texture to the dish.

1 Tsp Salt 

Salt is a flavor enhancer. It can also be used to help preserve food.

400 ML Peanut Oil (Or Vegetable Oil)

Peanut oil is perfect for deep frying because it has a neutral flavor that doesn’t overpower your food like olive oil does when cooking at high temperatures.

How Many Calories Are in Akara?

One ball of akara contains approximately 70 calories. Dietary fiber accounts for a big portion of the calories.

Tools: How to Make Akara

– A pot is necessary to soak the beans overnight.

– A blender to blend all the ingredients.

– A bowl to store all the mixture.

– Whisker to whisk all the paste and mixture.

– Frying pan to fry the dough balls.

– A slotted spoon or fork for adding the ingredients and flipping the balls.

– A paper towel or oil-absorbing paper for the serving.

Ingredient Additions/Substitutions When Cooking Easy Black Eyed Peas Akara Recipe

Need to know if there are any easy substitutions for some of the ingredients? I’ve got you covered!

If you have dietary restrictions or simply just searching for substitutes based on what you have on hand, you’ll find this section helpful.

You probably won’t even notice any difference when it comes down to taste.

Black Eye Peas

Black eyed beans are the foundation of this akara recipe. But here are a few substitutes that work perfectly.

• Honey beans
• Brown beans
• Ground bean flour (same used to make moin-moin flour)

Crayfish

Dried crayfish is not the easiest ingredient to find. And sometimes they are not readily available at local African stores.

• Dry crawfish (ground)
• Dry prawns
• Shrimps

Although I’ve only ever used crawfish and prawns as a substitute for crayfish, I don’t see why shrimps can’t be used.

Onions

A few substitutions or replacement for fresh onions are:

• Onion powder
• Onion flakes
• Garlic powder

Do You Put the Egg in Akara?

Yes, you can put the egg in Akara. But, you should break the egg into your bowl of akara before frying it.

Personally, I do not add egg to my akara as egg tends to make the akara “heavier” albeit more filling.

For some people, adding egg makes the akara mixture taste better.

I’ll admit that egg definitely helps make the batter stick together better when frying.

How to Make Akara Recipe With Beans or Beans Flour

Ingredients

• 2 cups black-eyed beans (or honey beans) or bean flour
• 1-2 habanero peppers (chopped)
• 1/2 bulb of onion (chopped)
• 1 tbsp ground crayfish (optional)
• 1 tsp salt
• 400 ml peanut oil (or vegetable oil)

Directions

STEP 1: Soak beans in room temperature water for about 1-2 hours.

STEP 2: Blend the soaked beans in pulse to detach the hull/outer layer from the beans. Skip this step if using bean flour.

STEP 3: Remove and discard the hull. Skip this step if using bean flour.

STEP 4: Blend the cleaned beans in a blend, a little at a time. Skip this step if using bean flour.

STEP 5: Add the onion, pepper and crayfish and blend till smooth. If using bean flour, blend and add to bean flour in a bowl. Add small amounts of water to the blend to create a thick but smooth paste.

STEP 6: Transfer the mixture to a bowl, add salt to taste, and whisk for about 5 minutes to make the batter fluffy.

STEP 7: Heat up the peanut (or vegetable) oil on medium heat for frying.

STEP 8: Scoop the batter using a tablespoon, a quarter cup, or a spoon of your choice into the hot oil.

STEP 9: Flip the akara using a fork or frying spoon when golden brown (about 2-3 minutes on each side).

STEP 10: Once both sides have browned, transfer to a clean bowl lined with oil-absorbing cloth or paper towel.

STEP 11: Serve hot.

How Long Do You Soak Beans for Akara?

Soaking your beans in water is a great way to save time cooking. The beans for akara can be soaked overnight or for several hours before cooking.

Black-eyed peas and kidney beans require a quick soak before cooking, while chickpeas and pinto beans can be soaked overnight.

Soaking also helps with better digestion, especially for people with problems such as gas or bloating after eating beans.

How to Blend Beans For Akara With Blender

• Soak the beans for about 1-2 hours to soften the hull (skin).
• Scoop up small portions of the soaked beans and place in the blender.
• Add water about two times the level of the beans to your blender.
• Press the pulse or turbo button on your blender. Do this about 3-5 sections for a bout 1-2 seconds at a time to peel the beans. This should separate the outer skin from the beans.
• Pour in a bowl. Remove and discard the skin of the beans. You’ll be left with a white/creamy white beans without the black eyes.
• Repeat the same process for the remaining soaked beans.

How to Preserve Ground Beans for Akara

If you want to preserve your ground beans for akara, the best way to do so is by storing them in an airtight container. This will prevent the beans from drying out and losing their flavor.

You can also store the beans in the freezer for longer periods of time.

How To Make Fluffy Akara

The key to getting perfectly fluffy akara is to ensure that your beans paste is super smooth, add enough water, and stir in one direction.

If you’ve ever mixed a cake by hand, you know how long it takes to get the cake dough looking soft and filled with air.

While akara doesn’t require a lot of elbow grease, stirring in one direction during preparation goes a long way.

Fluffy Akara is best served hot and fresh. It can be stored in an airtight container and reheated, but it will not be as fluffy as when it is first made.

Why Is My Akara Flat?

There are a few reasons why your akara might be flat. the texture of the akara was too thick so the akara becomes too heavy and seats at the bottom of the pan.

Your akara might be flat if the oil is not hot enough for deep frying. It settles to the bottom of the frying pan and flattens out before the exterior has cooked/hardened.

Although I don’t add baking powder to my akara, you can try adding some baking powder to your akara to incorporate more air bubbles and consequently a rounder shape while it cooks.

What to Serve With This Easy Black Eyed Peas Akara Recipe

As a child, a few combination for akara we ate were:

• Akara and pap/akamu (fermented corn pudding)
• Akara and custard
• Akara and agidi
• Akara and bread (stuffed inside the bread)
• Akara and soaked garri (with sugar, groundnuts ± milk)
• Akara served alone as an appetizer

Tips About Making the Easy Black Eyed Peas Akara Recipe

1. You can use coconut oil instead of peanut oil for frying the beans. Coconut oil is incredible for your heart and brain, as well as your skin and hair. 
2. If you have time to prepare the beans from scratch, use dried black-eyed peas because they tend to have a better texture than beans flour. But if you’re in a hurry, beans flour will still taste great.
3. You can also cook it for an extra 1-2 minutes for an extra brown crispy crunch.
4. Do not crowd the frying pan as this will prevent the akara from being properly cooked.
5. Not interested in using a blender to remove the outer covering of the beans? You can soak it for longer than 1-2 hours. It’s totally ok to soak the beans overnight.

How to Store Easy Black Eyed Peas Akara Recipe

This dish can be stored for up to 7 days in the refrigerator.

Akara tastes best when eaten fresh. It also tends to get harder when store for more than 24 hours.

FAQs About Black Eyed Peas Akara Recipe

Conclusion

Making akara is pretty simple: it all depends on how creative and experimental you are. All these ingredients mixed with a handful of spices and a dash of creativity will take you to your favorite akara joint in no time. 

Remember that there are no rules when it comes to making this amazing snack. So don’t be afraid to experiment and tweak the recipe until you find something that really works for you.

Akara fritters are a delicious and easy-to-make snack that can be enjoyed by everyone.

We hope you will try making them soon. If you do, be sure to share a picture with us in the comment section below. Can’t wait to see your creations!

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