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Banana Puff

Also known as Banana Puff (Sweet Banana Fritters for Children)

Banana Puff is a sweet, fruity variation of the beloved Nigerian Puff Puff that uses ripe mashed banana incorporated into the batter — creating a Puff Puff that is naturally sweeter, slightly denser and fragrant with the aroma of ripe banana. The natural sugars in the banana caramelise beautifully during frying, creating a deeper golden colour and a more complex sweetness than standard Puff Puff.

Banana Puff, Nigerian cooking

Ingredients

  • 3 big cups of plain flour
  • 2 big very ripe bananas, peeled and thoroughly mashed to a smooth paste
  • 2 big big tablespoons of sugar — reduced since bananas provide natural sweetness
  • 1 teaspoon of instant dry yeast
  • Half a teaspoon of salt
  • Half a teaspoon of ground nutmeg
  • Half a teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • Warm water — added gradually as needed (the banana provides moisture)
  • Vegetable oil for deep-frying
  • Icing sugar or honey for dusting — optional

Method

  1. 01

    Making the Banana Batter. Mash the ripe bananas completely until no lumps remain — a perfectly smooth banana paste. Combine flour, sugar, salt, nutmeg and yeast in a large bowl. Add the mashed banana and vanilla extract. Mix together. Add warm water very gradually — the banana provides significant moisture so far less water is needed than for standard Puff Puff. Mix until a thick, smooth batter forms.

  2. 02

    Proving. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth. Leave in a warm spot for 40 to 50 minutes until the batter has risen and is bubbly. Banana batter rises slightly faster than plain batter due to the natural fruit sugars feeding the yeast.

  3. 03

    Frying the Banana Puff. Heat oil in a deep pan over medium heat — not too high as the extra banana sugar can cause rapid browning. Drop spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil. Fry for 4 to 5 minutes, turning, until deep golden-brown all over. The Banana Puff will be slightly darker than standard Puff Puff due to the caramelising banana sugars.

  4. 04

    Serving. Drain on paper towels. Dust with icing sugar or drizzle with a little honey while still warm. Serve immediately.

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