The Tastiest Nigerian Fish Roll Recipe

Nigerian fish roll is a delicious, easy-to-make snack that can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere. Nigerian Fish Roll is a great option for those looking for a healthy and delicious snack high in protein.

Going back in time, people, especially children, had this love/hate relationship with the Nigerian fish roll.

Why? It was so good to get the one with fish filling and disappointing to get the one with just fish flavor… lol, it was a matter of luck with the street vendors.

This is why the homemade or fancy restaurant versions have always been the most preferred.

The fish rolls from these restaurants were rich in all the necessary ingredients to have the family and friends finish the whole snack within minutes, but it came at a price.

Nigerian fish roll is best enjoyed with cold Nigerian yogurt, Chapman, Zobo drink, chocolate tea, wine, and other soft drinks of choice.

What Are Fish Rolls?

Fish rolls are crispy, flavourful, fished-filled dough snacks that are very popular in the streets, restaurants, and homes in West Africa.

They are made of simple ingredients and are easy to prepare. You will be done with mixing the ingredients and frying the dressed dough within an hour.

Fish rolls are also referred to as African fish pie in some parts of West Africa. They are made in two versions – the deep-fried version and the baked version.

This particular recipe is the deep-fried version, where you have the pastry dough fried in hot oil.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Interesting Making Process – The procedure for making this popular snack is calming. Put on the music while you roll the dough with the rolling stick. If you are making this snack for a get-together, the kids will be happy to do the rolling and filling for you.
• Tasty – Of course, the fish roll is a tasty snack. This classic fish roll recipe has all the flavorful ingredients that will make anybody salivate for more.
• Budget-Friendly – The ingredients used in making the homemade version of Nigerian fish rolls are very cheap and easy to get.

What Does Nigerian Fish Roll Taste Like?

The taste of Nigerian fish rolls is phenomenal. The floured surface has a sweet taste like every other fried dough.

The inside part has a spicy seafood taste because of the fish fillets, pepper, and other spices added to fill the insides.

Is Nigerian Fish Roll Healthy?

It’s hard to classify any deep-fried dough snack as healthy. But granularly, the ingredients in this delicious pastry are healthy. The main ingredients, flour and fish are known to be beneficial to the body.

While the other ingredients that are added to make the snack tasty are not known to be harmful to health.

What Are The Benefits Of Fish Roll?

The Flour Benefits

The type of flour mostly used in this recipe is all-purpose flour. It is rich in vitamins and minerals like thiamine(B1), riboflavin(B2), niacin(B3), folate(B9), selenium, calcium, iron, potassium, carbohydrates, fibers, and protein. The benefits of these nutrients are;

• Breaking down carbohydrates into sugar to provide the energy needed by the body.
• Development of bones and teeth.
• Proper functioning of the cells in the body.
• Supports heart health.

The Fish Benefits

Fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. It:

• Helps with the proper functioning of the brain.
• Improves eye health.
• Lowers the risk of high blood pressure.
• Reduces cholesterol levels in the body.

Increased Energy Level

This comforting African snack improves energy levels. This is because the sweet feeling you get from eating it transits good energy to your brain. This helps to prevent illnesses related to stress and depression.

Differences Between Nigerian Fish Roll and Sausage Roll

As their names imply, Nigerian fish roll has fish filling while Nigerian sausage roll has sausage filling.

Also, Nigerian fish rolls are mostly deep-fried in cooking oil, while Nigerian sausage rolls are baked in the oven.

Nigerian Fish Roll Ingredients

• All-Purpose Flour – Flour is the main ingredient of this delicious pastry. It is usually mixed with dry and liquid ingredients to form the thick, tasty dough fried in cooking oil.
• Baking Powder – Baking powder is the leavening agent responsible for this tasty snack’s crispy surface.
• Yeast –Unlike baking powder, yeast is the leavening agent that prevents the fish rolls from having a very hard surface that makes them less palatable.
• Granulated Sugar – Add sugar for a sweeter taste of the snack.
• Salt – Add salt to taste.
• Butter – Melted butter is added to the flour mixture after every dry ingredient has been added. It gives the pastry a sweet buttery flavor and a softer texture.
• Fish Fillet – Fish fillets are the main ingredients for preparing the fish roll filling. The one used can contain mackerel fish, tuna fish, or any type of white fish. Spices are added to make it hot and tasty.
• Onion – Red onion, green onion, or white onion are used. Either of these onions is chopped and steamed with the fish fillet. They make the Nigerian fish roll filling delicious.
• Pepper – ground black pepper or chili powder are added for a hot taste of the fish roll filling.
• Vegetable Oil – The cooking oil is responsible for the golden brown color of this snack. You can use oils like olive oil, sunflower oil, or soybean oil.
• Water – Warm water is needed to activate the yeast mixture.

Tools Needed To Prepare Nigerian Fish Roll

• Frying Pot
• Bowl for the combination of ingredients
• Wood Board to roll your dough on
• Rolling Pin
• Knife
• Dough Cutter
• Slotted spoon
• Paper Towel
• Plastic Wrap

Ingredient Additions & Substitutions For Nigerian Fish Roll

Granulated Sugar

You can substitute granulated sugar with cinnamon sugar or honey. The cinnamon adds some earthy flavor to the snack, while honey gives the snack a sweet taste and richer flavor.

Pepper

Ground black pepper or chili powder can be substituted with chili tomato sauce. This tomato sauce has chili pepper and tomato flavor, making your fish rolls more flavorful.

You can also use fresh cayenne pepper. Just grind the pepper in a food processor and use it when pepper is required in this recipe.

Egg

Eggs can also be added to your fish roll. It adds an eggy flavor to the snack and makes the end product softer. 

Miscellaneous

For a richer pastry, add curry powder, oregano powder, garlic powder, nutmeg, and chopped carrot to combine the ingredients for the fish roll filling.

How to Make Nigerian Fish Roll (Step-by-Step)

Ingredients

Filling Ingredients

• ½ lbs fillet mackerel (you can also use sardines)
• ½ an onion
• ½ tsp salt (to taste)
• ½ tsp of pepper

Dough Ingredients

• 3 cups of all-purpose flour
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp of yeast
• 1 tsp sugar (optional)
• ½ tsp salt (to taste)
• 1 glass of warm water
• Oil for frying

Instructions

To make the dough

STEP 1: In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt together. Then pour in melted butter.

STEP 2: Mix the yeast with sugar and add warm water to activate the yeast. Set aside for about 10 minutes. You’ll notice that the mixture will turn foamy. Pour this mixture into the large bowl from step 1 above.

STEP 3: Knead the flour and yeast mixture. You’ll need a lot of elbow grease to get the dry and wet ingredients smooth. It’ll start off being very sticky.

As you progress, you’ll notice that it sticks less to your hands. Cover bowl (or use cling film). Leave this at room temperature or preferably in a warm area so the yeast can rise. This will take about 35-45 minutes for the dough to rise.

To make the filling

STEP 1: While the dough rises, prepare the filling. Place the fish in a steamer with the onions and seasoning (salt and pepper) and steam for 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can use 2-3 canned sardines mixed with seasoning. I love the taste of Titus sardines.

STEP 2: Mash the cooked fillet and set aside.

STEP 3: Divide the dough into 8-10 parts once the dough doubles in size. Roll out rectangles from it, put about 1 tablespoon of filling on one edge of the rolled-out dough.

STEP 4: Close the filling on all sides.

STEP 5: And twist the rolls. It is important that the filling does not peek out.

­STEP 6: Deep fry the fish rolls on all sides in medium-hot oil at 350ºF. If oil is too hot, the inside of the rolls will not properly cook. Serve warm.

What To Serve With Fish Roll

• Small chops package – Yes, Nigerian fish rolls can be packed on a plate with samosa, puff puff, spring rolls, chin chin, donuts, peppered snail, peppered ponmo, meat pie, and peppered gizzard to form the popular Nigerian small chops.
• Your favorite tomato ketchup is a great dipping sauce for the awesome fish rolls.
• Cold water – Even with cold water, you can enjoy your chilled snack.
• Nigerian Chapman with lemon slices and cucumber slices as dressing.
• Nigerian zobo drink with lemon slices and cucumber slices as dressing.
• Chilled wine
• Coffee
• Other soft drinks of your choice

Tips About Making Nigerian Fish Roll

• Ensure the wood board has a clean surface to prevent dirt or bacteria from entering the dough while rolling.
• Seal the fish roll dough very tight by adding water on one side before sealing it.
• Make sure the oil is hot enough before frying the fish roll at about 350ºF.
• Once you get the deep-frying oil to 350ºF, continue on medium heat for the remaining frying process. This prevents the dough from getting burnt outside while the inside is not well cooked.
• Fish fillet is used to prevent bones in the fish roll. If you are using raw fish, remove every bone in the fish after boiling it with the onion slices.

How To Store Fish Roll

If you have leftover fish rolls, put them in a container and cover them tightly with plastic wrap. Then, put it in the fridge or freezer.

Nigerian Fish rolls will be preserved in the fridge for up to a week and freezer for several weeks.

When you are ready to eat again, put it in a container and microwave it for about 5 minutes.

FAQ About Fish Rolls

Conclusion

Smiling at the good outcome of your Nigerian fish roll already? Let everyone taste it and watch them be a fan of fish roll in 2 seconds!

Nigerian fish roll is one of those healthy snacks to replace junk foods. It is rich in tasty ingredients that will make you crave more until you repeatedly roll some dough on the wooden board.

You can serve it on; nights when you watch your favorite Netflix shows alone, days when you have family and friends over for get-togethers, and other special occasions.

Nigerian fish roll is a thing of beauty, and I’m not just saying that because I’m Nigerian. Trust me, once you try Nigerian Fish Roll, you’ll be hooked.