Imma is a cookbook collector, an instructor and wanna-be athlete who shares her passion about cooking on her blog Immaculate Bites – Afro-Caribbean Recipes Made Easy. Her delicious recipes will help you learn more about the Caribbean and African cultures through food, and have the taste of the tropics, right in your own home.
Why not try something different for breakfast, with these 25 African breakfast recipe ideas that transform fresh ingredients into elegant and exquisite meals for the everyday home cook.
Bacon wrapped plantains
Ingredients: plantains, seasoning (Jerk, berbere, Cajun), bacon, hot sauce (optional). Recipe here.
Plantain with a touch of heat, wrapped with bacon and sprinkled with spice. Easy, yet delicious appetizer, snack and/or breakfast. They are pure indulgence and Simply Irresistible; the sweet and smoky flavors of the plantains and bacon create quite an explosion in your mouth. You’ll NEVER have leftovers. AND if you make it for breakfast with eggs and serve with avocado, you will be craving for this ALL DAY!!!
Baked Plantain Frittata (Baked plantain and eggs)
Ingredients: canola oil, onion, scotch bonnet pepper, red/green bell pepper, tomatoes, garlic, paprika, fresh thyme (or any herb), plantains, salt and ground pepper, eggs, avocado, sausage (optional). Recipe here.
Not a big fan of potatoes? Love to eat breakfast? In search of something different and truly tasty? Then look no further, these baked plantains and eggs should be right up your alley. No one will ever guess that this nutritious, mouthwatering breakfast Frittata is lighter! Plantain makes it a hearty, and the eggs and veggies pile on color and wonderful flavor.
Banana Biscotti
Ingredients: all-purpose flour, mixed nuts (almonds and pistachios), sugar, fine cornmeal, banana or butter, baking powder, salt, eggs, vanilla extract, almond extract, grated orange. Recipe here.
The butter version offers a delicate crumble texture with a buttery taste that would woe any café-goer -biscotti- seeker. While the banana version has a more pleasantly sweet taste, not too overwhelming. – Chewy, crunchy and dunk able… just the way I like it.
Banana Puff Puff
Ingredients: active dry yeast, sugar, salt, bananas, flour, nutmeg, oil. Recipe here.
Soft and chewy banana puff puff – quite tasty too! I don’t know of a single West African- my self included who does not dig puff-puff – they are the quintessential African snack – cheap and filling. When you’re at home in your own country, there are some foods that may not feel like an incredibly important meal to you because it’s shared with everyone around you. Not to talk of the fact that it is available at every street corner imaginable -anytime of the day: morning, night, afternoon and/or in between.
Chocolate Puff Puff
Ingredients: active dry yeast, milk, sugar, salt, butter, egg, flour, cocoa powder, oil. Ingredients for the chocolate sauce: chocolate (semi sweet and milk chocolate), cream, butter. Recipe here.
For Valentine’s Day there is one food profile that has come to define love day – Chocolate. So I would suggest you add an exciting twist to a Classic West African street food, you guest right – chocolate is the twist. Paired with chocolate sauce and you would swoon with puff-puff pleasure. If you have never tried puff-puff before, it is deep fried dough, just like bread dough – slightly crunchy on the outside and chewy inside with a touch of sweetness.
Coconut Puff-puff (Deep fried coconut dough)
Ingredients: coconut milk, active dry yeast, sugar, salt, coconut flakes, flour, oil. Recipe here.
Puff-puff is a West African traditional fried dough that is sold in every neighborhood, on street corners, in West Africa. They are impossible to resist once you take a bite. It is comparable to yeast doughnuts with less sugar and with a sort of fermented yeast taste.
Corn Fritters
Ingredients: bananas, self rising flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt, oil. Recipe here.
Accra Banana are deep-fried puffs which are made out of banana and some sort of flour, cornmeal, cassava, garri… the possibilities are endless. Many African cultures share a love of Accra banana/Corn fritters in one disguise or another. Since bananas flourish in the tropics there is an abundance of bananas and nothing hardly goes to waste.
Crunchies (South African)
Ingredients: butter, golden syrup or honey, baking soda, granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, shredded coconut, sliced almonds, oats, flour, cinnamon spice, nutmeg spice. Recipe here.
If you are one of those that dislike granola bars – I am going to say give this will make you a convert. They beat granola bar hands down. What sets them apart is the flavor – they are sweet, salty, crunchy, spicy, buttery and Naughty – How about Coconuttty?
Easy Mandazi
Ingredients: baking powder, sugar, salt, all purpose flour, grated coconut or coconut flakes, crushed cardamom spice, grated nutmeg or cinnamon, evaporated milk / coconut milk, egg, butter, powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar, caramel sauce, vegetable oil. Recipe here.
Easy Mandazi – East African Beignet made easier and quicker with self-rising flour or baking powder. One of the things that excites me about these Mandazi is the custom of adding freshly grated coconut, cardamom and nutmeg spice into the dough. A concept alien to me but one I have come to love. I did not care much for cardamom seeds until I started making mandazi’s and then it is now a staple in my pantry.
Ethiopian Spiced Butter (Niter Kibbeh)
Ingredients: unsalted butter, onion, garlic, cardamom, fenugreek seeds, ground cumin, ginger root, grated nutmeg, dried oregano, ground turmeric, basil leaves. Recipe here.
Niter Nibbeh a spice-infused clarified butter that is ever-present in Ethiopian cooking with an astonishing depth of flavor. A breeze to make at home, all you need is patience, saucepan,spices and cheesecloth – to drain any spices and leftover butter residue.
Homemade Akamu (Pap, Ogi, Corn Porridge)
Ingredients: dry peeled corn, sugar and/or milk. Recipe here.
Akamu is a breakfast porridge that is very common in most African countries. What name you call these creamy, corn porridge, depends on what part of Africa you live in. In Nigeria and Cameroon, it is named pap, Akamu, or Ogi. In South Africa, and Ghana it is disguised as porridge, Millie pap or koko.
Injera
Ingredients: corn flour, sorghum (whole wheat), sugar, dry yeast, all purpose flour, baking powder, salt. Recipe here.
Injera – Quick and Easy Spongy, Crepe-like flatbread – Slightly Sour, Slightly Sweet and Utterly Addictive. Injera is a Flat round fermented sourdough bread – bread like no other, with a unique, slightly spongy texture. Always present during mealtime, in countries like Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Yemen, Djibouti and Sudan with each country having it’s own variation.
Kelewele or Aloco (Spicy Fried Plantains)
Ingredients: ripe plantains, onion, Cayenne or chili pepper, chopped ginger, garlic, lemon, nutmeg, salt, bouillon powder or small bouillon (Maggie) cube (optional), oil. Recipe here.
West Africa boasts a wide selection of fried plantain recipes ranging from simple plantain chips to the mouth-watering Kelewele. Every country in Africa be it Nigeria, Cameroon, Liberia or Ivory coast, has its own range of fried plantains which are sold at every street corner, and even mainstream restaurants, anytime of the day. This version goes under different aliases in Ghana is Kelewele and in Ivory Coast it is known as Aloco. To me, street food is one of the most important part of any culture.
No yeast Puff Puff
Ingredients: self rising flour, sugar, beer, egg, nutmeg (optional), oil. Recipe here.
If you have ever traveled to a West African country or attended a West African gathering chances are you have tasted this fried dough. It is an extremely popular West African snack food that is sold on every street corner imaginable and goes under different aliases. Ghanaians call it Bofrot (togbei), Congolese call it mikate, gbofloto in Ivory Coast; Cameroonians and Nigerians call it Puff-Puff or African beignet in other parts of Africa.
Pampoenkoekies (South African Pumpkin Fritters)
Ingredients: mashed pumpkin or puree, flour, baking powder, sugar, milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, all spice, salt, egg, oil. Ingredients for the caramel glaze: sugar, heavy cream, unsalted butter, light corn syrup. Recipe here.
Pampoenkoekies – These South African pumpkin fritters are light, fluffy and literally melt in your mouth. Drizzled with caramel sauce and your are in pumpkin heaven. Why all the excitement, well let me count the ways…. First of all it’s a really great combination of flavors…. Secondly, because it is light as air (it literally melts in your mouth). And maybe most of all because it is quick and easy – ready in under 20 minutes. You can start eating this these bite-sized treats.
Pancakes (African Style)
Ingredients: flour, milk, sugar, eggs, butter, vanilla flavor, nutmeg, oil (optional). Recipe here.
Not a Week goes by, in my household, without making these tender pancakes – they are my son’s favorite breakfast. Who am I kidding, they are mine too!!! – for several reasons; Childhood memories, comfort rich taste and of course, a great make ahead breakfast – Now, tell me you like that!
Plantain Bread/Cake
Ingredients: plantains, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cake flour, unsalted butter, granulated sugar, yogurt or sour cream, eggs, grated nutmeg, grated lime, milk. Recipe here.
There is nothing better than using up those funky, ugly looking plantains that look like they should be in the thrash already. Wouldn’t it be cool if you make this, amazing delicious plantain bread?
Plantain fritters (Klako)
Ingredients: plantains or bananas, rice, oatmeal or whole wheat flour, baking powder, salt, garlic, fresh ginger, onions, green onion, parsley, cayenne pepper or pepper sauce. Recipe here.
Plantain fritters – Crusty on the outside and dense inside made with overly ripe plantains, brown rice and spices. Gluten free, paleo and vegan side dish.
Plantain Pancake
Ingredients: plantains, flour, milk, sugar, eggs, butter, vanilla extract, nutmeg, oil (optional). Recipe here.
Rich, tender, & delicious Soft, Tender, Rich Plantain Pancakes, like pancakes but with a sweet plantain taste. Good for Breakfast or make it for dessert with coconut sauce. This here is my variation of plantain pancake made with flour, eggs, milk, overly ripe plantain, butter and nutmeg. Simply delicious and satisfying. Good enough to make me want to get some extra plantains when am at the grocery store.
Puff-Puff (Deep fried dough)
Ingredients: active dry yeast, flour, sugar, salt, oil. Recipe here.
Most West African countries are familiar with the popular street food Puff-Puff, which is known by different names depending on the country. Ghanaians call it Bofrot (togbei), Cameroonians and Nigerians call it Puff-Puff (Puff) or beignet in French. The basic ingredient consists of: flour, sugar, yeast, water, salt and oil for deep frying.
Skinny Chai Latte
Ingredients: coconut milk, anise, ginger, cinnamon sticks, cardamon pods, black tea, sweetener (splenda, stevia), fat free whipped cream (optional), whole nutmeg (optional). Recipe here.
Check this out and see what an early Christmas present feels like in September If you like fresh, spicy, sweet and milky tea then you’re in luck. Your tastes buds are going to linger over the Chai Latte blend guaranteed to give you a sensational buzz… oh did I mention it is almost guilt free.
Sweet Plantain Hash & Eggs
Ingredients: vegetable oil, plantains, black beans, onion, smoked paprika, garlic, tomatoes, bell pepper, cumin (optional), Cayenne pepper, bouillon powder (optional), parsley, salt and pepper, cooking spray, eggs. Recipe here.
A delicious skillet breakfast Casserole that is brimming with flavor and packed full of protein! Beans and eggs. Make it for lunch and dinner too! Great Anytime. The best part about this incredibly flavorful, hearty and filling, nutritious, paleo breakfast and is that is topped with fried eggs. And it’s just visually appealing.
Traditional Koeksisters
Ingredients for the spicy syrup: sugar, cream of tartar, chopped ginger, lemon juice, cinnamon stick. Ingredients for the dough: corn flour, all purpose flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, milk, egg, butter, oil. Recipe here.
First things first: koeksisters are pronounced like, ”cook sister”. Now that you know how to pronounce it, what the heck is it? Allow me. Koeksister is a super popular South African sticky doughnut. It derives its name from the Dutch word “koekje”, which can be interpreted as “cookie”. There are two versions of this popular doughnuts: this is the Afrikaner version: sticky, braided, crunchy and drenched in syrup, laced with cinnamon, lemon and ginger. The end result… a taste bud explosion.
Vetkoek
Ingredients: cake flour, salt, sugar, yeast. Minced curry ingredients: minced meat, canola oil, onion, ground ginger, garlic, curry powder, tomatoes, paprika, potatoes, peas, carrots, white pepper, hot sauce or cayenne pepper (optional), parsley or cilantro, salt. Recipe here.
Vetkoek in a nutshell is deep fried yeast buns that can be served as a snack, for breakfast or lunch. It is usually paired with apricot jam, cheese or with minced curry.
Vitumbua (Coconut Rice Pancakes)
Ingredients: rice, yeast, coconut milk, coconut flakes (optional), salt, sugar( brown, white or coconut sugar), Spice (Cardamom, nutmeg), almond extract. Ingredients for the coconut dipping sauce: coconut, brown sugar, vanilla extract. Recipe here.
Guys meet vitumbua (singular: kitumbua). A sweet donut or pancake with a slightly exterior crust and a fluffy, melt in your mouth interior. Also known as Masa in West African Countries like Nigeria and Cameroon. Vitumbua – An addictive healthy coconut and rice vegan donut or pancake topped with vegan caramel – a melt in your mouth experience.
For more exquisite African, Caribbean & Southern flavors with a flavorful twist, visit Imma’s site www.africanbites.com or follow her on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about what people eat for breakfast in various African countries:
- What is a typical African breakfast?
A typical breakfast in many African countries consists of a type of porridge, such as maize meal or sorghum porridge, accompanied by various toppings such as milk, sugar, butter, or jam. Other common breakfast items include bread, tea, and coffee. - What is a typical Nigerian breakfast?
A typical Nigerian breakfast often includes dishes such as jollof rice, fried plantains, beans, yams, or akara (bean cakes). These may be accompanied by a hot beverage such as tea or coffee. - What is a typical Sudanese breakfast?
A typical Sudanese breakfast may include ful medames (a dish of cooked fava beans), eggs, cheese, bread, and tea. Other possible dishes include aish baladi (a type of flatbread), lentil soup, or fried dough. - What is a typical Ethiopian breakfast?
A typical Ethiopian breakfast often includes injera (a type of fermented flatbread) served with various stews or curries, such as doro wat (chicken stew) or shiro (a spicy chickpea stew). Coffee is also an important part of Ethiopian culture and may be served alongside breakfast. - What is a typical Tanzanian breakfast?
A typical Tanzanian breakfast may consist of mandazi (a type of sweet fried dough), chapati (a type of flatbread), or rice porridge. Tea and coffee are also commonly consumed. - What is a typical South African breakfast?
A typical South African breakfast often includes dishes such as boerewors (a type of sausage), eggs, bacon, tomato, and toast. Other possible items include mieliepap (maize porridge), fried mushrooms, or baked beans. - What is a typical Kenyan breakfast?
A typical Kenyan breakfast may include chai (spiced tea) served with mandazi (sweet fried dough) or chapati (flatbread). Other possible dishes include githeri (a type of bean stew) or uji (a type of porridge made from millet or maize). - What is a typical Ghanaian breakfast?
A typical Ghanaian breakfast may include dishes such as oatmeal, koko (a type of porridge made from millet), or banku (a type of fermented corn and cassava dough). These may be accompanied by tea, coffee, or millet beer. - What is a typical Zambian breakfast?
A typical Zambian breakfast may include nshima (a type of thick maize porridge), eggs, or meat such as beef or chicken. Tea, coffee, or maheu (a type of non-alcoholic maize-based beverage) may also be consumed. - What is a typical Egyptian breakfast?
A typical Egyptian breakfast may include ful medames (a dish of cooked fava beans), taameya (a type of falafel), eggs, cheese, and bread. Tea or coffee may also be served. - What is a typical Moroccan breakfast?
A typical Moroccan breakfast may include msemen (a type of layered flatbread), harcha (a type of semolina-based bread), or beghrir (a type of spongy pancake). These may be served with honey, butter, or jam, and accompanied by tea or coffee. Other possible items include hard-boiled eggs, olives, or cheese.
