Appetizer · Late-Night · Latin American ·

Crispy Brazilian Acarajé Bites with Cashew Dip

Name: Crispy Brazilian Acarajé Bites with Cashew Dip
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 105 min
Total time: 140 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Appetizer
Ingredients: 2 cups black-eyed peas, soaked overnight and drained; 1 medium onion, finely chopped; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; Oil for frying, preferably palm oil; 1 cup raw cashews, soaked in water for 2 hours, drained; 1 lemon, juiced; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 garlic clove, minced; Salt and pepper, to taste; 1 cup sliced green onions; 1 cup diced tomatoes; 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro

Experience a taste of Bahia with these crispy acarajé bites served alongside a luscious cashew dip, offering a delightful combination of textures and flavors.

4.4(283 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·October 28, 2025

Crispy Brazilian Acarajé Bites with Cashew Dip — Appetizer served and photographed from above

Prep

35 min

Cook

1 h 45 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Acarajé Bites

For the Cashew Dip

For the Garnish

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 362 kcal
Protein: 8.6 g
Carbs: 24 g
Fat: 27.5 g
Fiber: 5.6 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 2172 kcal
Protein: 51.4 g
Carbs: 143.9 g
Fat: 165.2 g
Fiber: 33.7 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
2 cups black-eyed peas soaked overnight and drained	400	26	70	1	22
1 medium onion finely chopped	44	1.2	10	0.1	1.6
1 teaspoon salt	0	0	0	0	0
1 teaspoon smoked paprika	6	0.3	1.2	0.3	0.8
Oil for frying preferably palm oil	800	0	0	90	0
1 cup raw cashews soaked in water for 2 hours, drained	720	20	42	60	4
1 lemon juiced	12	0.2	4	0.1	0.5
1 tablespoon olive oil	120	0	0	13.5	0
1 garlic clove minced	5	0.2	1	0	0.1
Salt and pepper to taste	0	0	0	0	0
1 cup sliced green onions	32	1.8	7.5	0.2	2.6
1 cup diced tomatoes	32	1.6	7	0.3	2
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro	1	0.1	0.2	0	0.1

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Acarajé Batter

1
Blend ingredients
Blend the soaked black-eyed peas with onion until smooth.
2
Season batter
Add salt and smoked paprika, mix well.
3
Rest batter
Let the batter sit for 15 minutes.
Tip: Avoid adding water to the black-eyed pea batter; this ensures the fritters stay firm.

Preparing the Cashew Dip

1
Blend cashews
Blend soaked cashews with lemon juice, olive oil, and garlic until smooth.
2
Adjust seasoning
Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
3
Chill dip
Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate until serving.
Tip: Chill the cashew dip to enhance its creamy texture.

How to Make Crispy Brazilian Acarajé Bites with Cashew Dip

Total time: 2 h 20 min · Yields 6 servings

1
Frying Acarajé
Heat the oil in a deep pot; drop spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil and fry until golden brown.
2
Draining Excess Oil
Place cooked fritters on paper towels to remove excess oil.
3
Final Touches
Serve fritters warm with the prepared cashew dip and garnish.