When someone says snacks, there’s an automatic image of commercially processed and packaged biscuits, cakes, and biscuits displayed in a supermarket. Nigerians seem to have gotten out of hand by revolutionizing their cuisine of late. As far as snacks go, there have always been traditional snacks that have served their purpose and are gradually making their way back onto the food scene.
On the other hand, for fear of poor nutrition and many health complications due to the crude industrial/commercial marketing of food, mothers often worry about the healthier option for their children when it comes to nibbling. What kind of snacks should they try? You don’t want them to become too dependent on commercially/chemically preserved foods. So here are traditional and healthy snacks that are perfect for you and your child. These Nigerian snacks have been around for ages, tested and trusted. Some can serve as a meal or snack, however, they are finger foods that are not lacking in Nigerian cuisine.
Although your choice depends on age group and activity level, these are typical Nigerian snacks that are easy to make at home:
1. Puff Puff
Puff puff is often used as a typical snack and in smaller sizes, it goes perfectly with the small chops used on Nigerian occasions. To do this, season your dough with diced fresh pepper and fry it in vegetable oil. Nowadays, the snack is prepared with a little more sophistication, so we have such delicacies as the puff puff suzette. This snack can also be found in some other parts of Africa with slight variations.
2. Coconut Candy
Coconut candies are chewy, crunchy or candy like and are easy to make snacks. Traditionally they could be grated thin and fried, but in time came the caramel initiative. Coconut candies also serve as desserts or treats. The creamy or golden brown color depends on the choice of adding water or not. You can use water to determine the degree of caramelization.
3. Chin Chin
Chin chin is a crunchy snack made from well-prepared batter, seasoned and deep-fried. It could also be baked in the oven. The size and shape of the snack is generally a matter of individual preference.
4. Akara (Bean Cake)
This is one of the most popular snacks/food in Nigeria. It is made from bean flour, seasoned to taste and fried into balls; They are eaten with pap/pudding, either with plantain/yam/potato fries with stew. Whether as a roadside snack or not, it’s best served hot. eaten alone or with bread and of course accompanied with a chilled fruit drink.
5. Meat Pie
Meat pie is a staple in Nigeria and is also seen in some other intercontinental locations. What makes this an interesting savory snack is the flavorful meat and vegetable filling it contains. As in most cases of food, everyone has a special recipe that rocks their boat.
6. Donkwa
Donkwa appetizers, these are the wonders of the Traditionplus convention. Donkwa is a traditional snack of the northern Nigerian Hausa tribe, made from finely ground cornmeal and peanut, seasoned with chili peppers, then mixed with small amounts of oil and water and there you have it, molds form and the snack goes with it.
7. Boiled/Roasted Corn & Coconut
Depending on the time of day, this can serveas food, finger food, and also as a snack. The corn can be either boiled or roasted and can also be accompanied with coconut or pears. This combo is a healthy, fiber-packed snack.
8. Nuts
Nuts are such lifesavers, just ask your cardiologist. When nuts are mentioned in Nigeria, the first things that come to mind are peanuts and cashews. Both nuts can be taken independently of each other and are also ideal as a side dish. In Nigeria, peanuts can be eaten as a snack with bread, bananas, roasted plantains, cucumbers or garden eggs. Nuts have the benefit of helping you get fuller in time for your next healthy meal, assuming you’re far from home.
Read more: Diet: Top 5 reasons why eating eggs is good for you
9. Plantain chips
Plantain chips are one of the most popular illuminant snacks in Nigeria. In fact, there are a variety of things to do with plantains, whether ripe or unripe. Snacks are made as french fries, roasted/fried plantains, plantain pancakes, plantain cakes, or smashed plantains. Plantain fries are one of the oldest Nigerian snacks.
10. Egg rolls
The Nigerian Egg Rolls might be casually wrong When it comes to eggs, upon closer inspection the difference is clear. The snack is made by practically wrapping a boiled egg in batter and deep frying.
11. Kokoro
Known as the crunchy cornmeal snack, Kokoro is native to the western part of Nigeria. It is made from a specially prepared dough consisting of cornmeal, sugar and water (boiling hot water), rolled into shape and deep fried. It might be flavored or not.
12. Kuli kuli (peanut cake)
Kuli Kuli comes from the Nigerian tribe of the Hausa. It is made from roasted peanuts; ground, seasoned and fried. This is a snack that also allows for a variety of sizes and recipes. It has become a popular Nigerian treat.