Main Course · African · Dinner ·

Ghanaian Waakye with Fried Plantains

Name: Ghanaian Waakye with Fried Plantains
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 1 cup Jasmine or long-grain rice; 1/2 cup black-eyed peas, soaked overnight; 2 cups water; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon salt; 2 dried millet leaves or a teaspoon of hibiscus tea, to color the Waakye; 2 ripe plantains, peeled and sliced diagonally; 1/2 cup vegetable oil, for frying; Salt to taste; 1 small onion, thinly sliced; 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes; 1/4 cup shredded coconut

Enjoy a taste of Ghana with this flavorful and satisfying Waakye, perfectly accompanied by crispy fried plantains.

4(763 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·August 26, 2025

Ghanaian Waakye with Fried Plantains — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Waakye

For the Fried Plantains

For the Garnish

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 463 kcal
Protein: 4.1 g
Carbs: 47.5 g
Fat: 30 g
Fiber: 5.3 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 1850 kcal
Protein: 16.2 g
Carbs: 190.1 g
Fat: 119.8 g
Fiber: 21.3 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
1 cup Jasmine or long-grain rice	205	4.2	44.5	0.4	0.6
1/2 cup black-eyed peas soaked overnight	100	6.9	18.6	0.3	7
2 cups water	0	0	0	0	0
1/2 teaspoon baking soda	0	0	0	0	0
1 teaspoon salt	0	0	0	0	0
2 dried millet leaves or a teaspoon of hibiscus tea to color the Waakye	1	0	0.3	0	0.1
2 ripe plantains peeled and sliced diagonally	440	2.5	112.1	0.6	7.8
1/2 cup vegetable oil for frying	960	0	0	108	0
Salt to taste	0	0	0	0	0
1 small onion thinly sliced	28	0.8	6.5	0.1	1.2
1 tablespoon red pepper flakes	16	0.8	3.6	0.9	2.1
1/4 cup shredded coconut	100	1	4.5	9.5	2.5

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Waakye

1
Drain and Rinse Peas
Drain and rinse the soaked black-eyed peas.
2
Boil Water with Coloring
In a large pot, boil two cups of water with millet leaves or hibiscus tea.
3
Cook Peas
Once the water takes on a deep red color, remove the leaves and add the peas, baking soda, and salt.

Preparing the Plantains

1
Heat Oil
Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
2
Fry Plantains
Add the sliced plantains carefully into the hot oil and fry until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side.
Tip: Ensure the oil is hot before adding plantains to prevent them from soaking too much oil.

How to Make Ghanaian Waakye with Fried Plantains

Total time: 2 h · Yields 4 servings

1
Cooking Waakye
Add the rice to the pot with the peas and simmer for about 30 minutes until both rice and peas are tender.
2
Frying Plantains
Turn the plantains over to ensure they cook evenly.
3
Blending Flavors
Allow the Waakye to rest covered for 5 minutes before serving for the flavors to meld.