Print

Easy West African Fufu Recipe for Beginners (Cassava and Plantain)

A large, smooth, pale yellow ball of freshly made fufu resting on a small white plate.
Print Recipe
Save Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Learn how to make soft, smooth, and stretchy West African Fufu at home using this simple recipe combining cassava and plantain. This staple side dish pairs well with your favorite soups and stews.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup Cassava Flour (or finely grated Cassava)
  • 1 cup Plantain Flour (or finely grated Plantain)
  • 3 cups Water (plus more for boiling)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt (optional)

Instructions

  1. Combine the cassava flour and plantain flour in a medium bowl.
  2. Slowly add 1 cup of cold water to the flour mixture, stirring until you form a smooth, thick paste without lumps. This is your slurry.
  3. Bring the remaining 2 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add salt, if using.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium-low once the water is boiling.
  5. Pour the flour slurry into the boiling water while stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or sturdy spatula.
  6. Continue stirring vigorously. The mixture will start to thicken rapidly and pull away from the sides of the pot, forming a stiff dough. This process requires effort.
  7. Cook for about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring and folding the dough constantly to ensure it cooks evenly and achieves a smooth, uniform texture.
  8. Remove from heat. If the fufu seems too stiff, add a tablespoon of hot water at a time and continue mixing until you reach your desired soft, stretchy consistency.
  9. Shape the warm fufu dough into small, smooth balls using a lightly oiled spoon or your hands.
  10. Serve immediately with Egusi soup, Okra soup, or your preferred West African stew.

Notes

  • For a pure cassava fufu, substitute all plantain flour with cassava flour.
  • If using fresh cassava or plantain, you must boil and mash them until very smooth before incorporating the dry flour for the final dough stage.
  • Stirring vigorously is key to achieving the signature smooth, non-lumpy texture of authentic fufu.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://fooddexterity.com/easy-fufu-recipe-for-beginners/