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Nigerian Akara with Black-Eyed Peas and Scotch Bonnet

Name: Nigerian Akara with Black-Eyed Peas and Scotch Bonnet
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Breakfast
Ingredients: Dried Black-Eyed Peas, 2 cups; Medium Onion, chopped; Scotch Bonnet Pepper, deseeded and finely chopped; Salt, 1 teaspoon; Ground Pepper, 1/2 teaspoon; Vegetable Oil, for deep frying

Dive into the rich flavors of West Africa with these spicy and crispy black-eyed pea fritters, a delicious and nutritious start to your day.

5(665 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·October 7, 2025

Nigerian Akara with Black-Eyed Peas and Scotch Bonnet — Breakfast served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Fritters

For Frying

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 191 kcal
Protein: 7.1 g
Carbs: 21.7 g
Fat: 9.1 g
Fiber: 4.9 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 765 kcal
Protein: 28.3 g
Carbs: 86.7 g
Fat: 36.4 g
Fiber: 19.6 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
Dried Black-Eyed Peas 2 cups	400	26	72	2	16
Medium Onion chopped	44	1.2	10	0.1	1.8
Scotch Bonnet Pepper deseeded and finely chopped	18	1	4	0.2	1.5
Salt 1 teaspoon	0	0	0	0	0
Ground Pepper 1/2 teaspoon	3	0.1	0.7	0.1	0.3
Vegetable Oil for deep frying	300	0	0	34	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Black-Eyed Peas

1
Soak Peas
Soak the black-eyed peas in water overnight or at least 8 hours.
2
Remove Skins
Drain and remove the skins by rubbing them with your hands, then rinse thoroughly.
3
Blend Ingredients
Blend the peas with the onion, scotch bonnet, and salt until a smooth paste forms.

Preparing the Frying Area

1
Heat Oil
Pour oil into a deep frying pan or saucepan.
2
Bring to Temperature
Heat the oil to approximately 350°F (175°C).
Tip: Ensure the oil is hot enough before frying, or the fritters will absorb too much oil.
3
Prepare Utensils
Have a slotted spoon ready to remove the fritters from the oil.
Tip: Test the oil temperature with a small drop of batter; it should sizzle and rise to the surface.

How to Make Nigerian Akara with Black-Eyed Peas and Scotch Bonnet

Total time: 2 h · Yields 4 servings

1
Fry Fritters
Gently drop spoonfuls of the black-eyed pea mixture into the hot oil and fry until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes per batch.
2
Drain Fritters
Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fritters onto a paper-towel-lined plate.
3
Season
Lightly sprinkle with additional salt immediately after frying for extra flavor.