Crispy Lentil Akara Recipe | Nigerian Street Food Snack Made Easy

lentils

🥗Healthier: chickpeas

💰Cheaper: split peas

Chickpeas offer similar texture and flavor, while split peas are often less expensive.

onion

🥗Healthier: shallots

💰Cheaper: leeks

Shallots provide a milder flavor, while leeks can be more affordable.

scotch bonnet pepper

🥗Healthier: jalapeño

💰Cheaper: bell pepper

Jalapeños offer heat with less intensity, and bell peppers are milder.

oil

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Coconut oil adds flavor and is healthier, while vegetable oil is often cheaper.

Rinse red lentils to remove any dirt.

Optionally soak lentils overnight to soften them if you have a weak blender.

Chop onion, red bell pepper, and scotch bonnet pepper.

Add a little water to the lentils and blend until smooth, ensuring not to add too much water.

Use a hand mixer to aerate the lentil mixture for fluffiness.

Fold in chopped onions after aerating the mixture.

Heat oil in a deep pot for deep frying.

Use an ice cream scoop to drop spoonfuls of the lentil mixture into the hot oil.

Ensure the oil is deep enough for proper frying and that the batter floats to the top immediately after being added.

Fry until golden brown, flipping with a skewer as needed.

Remove fried akara and drain excess oil on a kitchen towel.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary