Puff Puff (Fried Dough Balls)

Name: Puff Puff (Fried Dough Balls)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: West African
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 1 tsp instant yeast; 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg; 1/2 tsp salt; 1.5 cups warm water (about 110°F); 6 cups vegetable oil (for frying)

Soft, pillowy West African fried dough balls made with yeasted batter and a hint of nutmeg. These sweet, airy puffs are a popular street food and party snack across Nigeria and Ghana. Plan ahead: allow 1 hour for the batter to rise.

35 minEasyServes 6260 cal/serving

West AfricanDessertStovetopVegetarianHalal-friendlyEgg-FreeDairy-FreePork-FreeAlcohol-FreeNightshade-Free

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Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp instant yeast
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
1.5 cups warm water (about 110°F)
6 cups vegetable oil (for frying)

Instructions

1

In a large bowl, combine 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 tsp instant yeast, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, and 1/2 tsp salt. Whisk to combine.
2

Pour in 1.5 cups warm water (about 110°F) and stir until a smooth, thick batter forms with no lumps - similar to thick pancake batter.
3

Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, until puffed and bubbly.
4

Heat 6 cups vegetable oil (for frying) in a deep pot to 350°F (175°C), at least 3 inches deep.
5

Scoop batter into rounded balls and drop into hot oil in batches of 6-8. Fry, turning occasionally, until deep golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per batch.
6

Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Serve warm, optionally dusted with powdered sugar.

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Questions

How much time should I plan for Puff Puff (Fried Dough Balls)?

As written, 35 minutes: 15 of prep and 20 of cooking. The longest single stretch is the hands-off wait in step 3, 1 hour. That wait sits outside the stated prep and cook times, so plan around it.

How hot should the oil be for Puff Puff (Fried Dough Balls)?

For Puff Puff (Fried Dough Balls), the frying oil is held at 350 F (about 175 C) in step 4. Hotter scorches the outside before the inside cooks, and cooler turns it greasy.

How do I know when Puff Puff (Fried Dough Balls) is done?

Go by the cues in the method rather than the clock. Step 3: cook until puffed and bubbly. Step 5: cook until deep golden brown.

Is there a substitute for yeast in Puff Puff (Fried Dough Balls)?

The entry for Puff Puff (Fried Dough Balls) calls for 1 tsp instant yeast. In its place: Instant and active dry yeast swap measure for measure. Active dry wants five minutes in warm liquid first, while instant goes straight into the flour.

Can I start Puff Puff (Fried Dough Balls) the day before?

Yes. Step 3 is a built-in pause of 1 hour: "Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, until puffed and bubbly." Do everything up to that point ahead of time and pick up at step 4 when you are ready to finish.

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