Akara (Accara) are tasty, deep fried, Nigerian brown bean or black eyed pea fritters that are also quite popular in West Africa and are served alone, with a side of starch, kaani or in a burger.
Prep Time5 hourshrs
Cook Time30 minutesmins
Total Time5 hourshrs30 minutesmins
Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: Indian, Nigerian, West African
Servings: 30pieces
Calories: 21.6kcal
Author: Yummy Medley
Ingredients
1.5cupsblack eyed peas
1/2red onion
2scotch bonnet/ habanero peppers
3tspvegetable bouillon
Salt to taste
Oil for deep frying
Instructions
First of all, start by skinning the beans. Simply soak the beans in water for 3 minutes. After about 3 minutes, the skin of the beans should start wrinkling a little bit. Place the beans in a food processor, with some water, just enough to cover it. Pulse the food processor about 5-6 times to agitate the beans. This process breaks the beans up and separates the skins off the beans. Be careful, some water might splash out of the processor while pulsing the beans.
Pour the skinned beans in a bowl. Rinse several times to separate the beans from the skins, draining the skins with the water with each rinse. The skins should come off easily because the skins are lighter and should float to the top.
Once the beans are clean, soak them in water for at least 4 hours or overnight.
After the beans have soaked, drain the water that they have been soaking in, and rinse the beans one more time.
Using a mortar and pestle or a food processor, grind the scotch bonnet peppers to a rough paste and set aside.
Blend the beans and the onions with 1/2 a cup of water until it is completely smooth.
The texture should be similar to that of a thick muffin batter.
Heat up oil for deep frying in a pan up to 375°F while preparing the batter.
Add the salt, bullion, and scotch bonnet peppers to the bean batter, mixing continuously for five minutes to in-cooperate air into the batter.
With a large spoon, drop the batter a spoonful at a time into the hot oil to fry. Fry for 3-5 minutes on each side until it is golden brown both sides, take out of the frying oil and place into a colander or on paper towels to drain.
Serve hot!
Video
Notes
Akara Calories and Nutrition
The nutrition information of a single West African bean fritter is shown below using the ingredients listed to make 30 balls of Akara, and assuming a 10% oil retention on fried foods.