Akara

What is Akara?

Akara are small, round fritters made from peeled black-eyed peas or cowpeas, blended with onions, peppers, and salt. The mixture is beaten until light and then deep-fried in hot oil, resulting in a crisp exterior and soft, airy inside. The color and taste can vary depending on whether vegetable oil or palm oil is used for frying. Akara is commonly eaten hot, often as street food or for breakfast, and sometimes called bean cake.

Where does Akara come from?

Akara comes from the Yoruba people, who live in parts of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. The dish has deep roots in Yoruba culture, where it is prepared for significant events such as funerals of elders and to celebrate victorious warriors. Enslaved Yoruba people brought akara to Brazil, where it became known as acarajé, especially in Bahia. The word 'àkàrà' means 'pastry' in Yoruba, and the Brazilian name comes from a Yoruba phrase used by street vendors.

How is Akara made?

To make akara, black-eyed peas are peeled, washed, and ground with onions, peppers, and salt. The batter is beaten to incorporate air, making the fritters light. Small portions are dropped into hot vegetable or palm oil and fried until golden. Some versions add egg to the batter. The choice of oil affects the flavor and color, with palm oil giving a richer taste and deeper hue.

How and when is Akara eaten?

Akara is often eaten hot, fresh from the fryer, as a breakfast food or snack. In Nigeria, it is commonly paired with bread, custard, or ogi, a smooth cornmeal porridge. On the street, it is sold in small balls, sometimes wrapped for takeaway. In Sierra Leone, a version with rice flour and banana is served at celebrations. Akara is also made in large batches for funerals, weddings, and festivals.

Kinds of Akara

There are many types of akara. Akara Osu, from Osu town, is paler and puffier, sometimes with shrimp or bell pepper. Akara Senke uses unpeeled beans, while Akara Awon includes okra, and Egusi Akara is made with melon seeds. In Brazil, acarajé is split and filled with spicy shrimp pastes or vegetarian toppings. A steamed version, abará, is also found in Brazil.

What Akara means

Akara holds cultural significance among the Yoruba, marking important life events and communal celebrations. In Brazil, acarajé is both street food and a religious offering in the Candomblé faith. The dish connects communities across continents, reflecting the history of the African diaspora. Akara is also known by other names, such as kosai in Hausa and koose in Ghana.

Questions people ask about Akara

Good reading and sources

• Akara on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data