LounjeLounjePlan my week

Puff Puff

Also known as Puff Puff (Children's Party Favourite)

Puff Puff is the undisputed king of Nigerian children's party food — golden, perfectly round, slightly sweet dough balls that emerge from the frying oil like little suns and disappear from the serving plate almost as quickly as they are made. Every Nigerian child has vivid memories of grabbing Puff Puff from a party tray, the warm, soft dough yielding to a slight tug before pulling away in that uniquely satisfying way.

Puff Puff, Nigerian cooking

Ingredients

  • 4 big cups of plain flour
  • 4 big big tablespoons of white sugar
  • 1 and a half teaspoons of instant dry yeast
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 1 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
  • Half a teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • Warm water — add gradually until a thick, smooth batter forms
  • Vegetable oil for deep-frying — enough to fill the pan at least 3 fingers deep
  • Icing sugar for dusting — optional, for party presentation

Method

  1. 01

    Mixing the Batter. Combine flour, sugar, salt, nutmeg and yeast in a large bowl. Mix the dry ingredients together. Add vanilla extract. Add warm water gradually while stirring — a little at a time — until a thick, smooth, lump-free batter forms. The batter must be thick enough to hold its shape on a spoon but soft enough to fall off slowly when the spoon is turned.

  2. 02

    Proving the Batter. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth. Place in a warm spot for 45 minutes to 1 hour until the batter has risen noticeably, is bubbly throughout and smells wonderfully yeasty. A properly proved batter makes light, airy Puff Puff. Under-proved batter makes dense, heavy balls.

  3. 03

    Testing the Oil. Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan. Test with a small drop of batter — it should rise immediately to the surface and sizzle energetically. If it sinks, the oil is not hot enough.

  4. 04

    Frying the Children's Puff Puff. Wet your palm. Scoop a generous ball of batter and drop carefully into the hot oil. The batter will naturally form a round shape as it hits the oil. Fry in batches, turning gently with a slotted spoon, for 4 to 5 minutes until deep golden-brown all over and cooked through.

  5. 05

    Serving for Children's Party. Drain on paper towels. While still warm, dust with icing sugar if desired for extra sweetness and party presentation. Arrange on a large plate. Serve immediately.

More children's recipes