Start your day off right with a taste of Nigeria’s rich and flavorful breakfast delights. From hearty porridges to savory pastries, Nigerian cuisine offers a wide array of breakfast options that are sure to satisfy your taste buds and fuel your morning.
Whether you prefer something sweet or savory, spicy or mild, there’s a Nigerian breakfast dish that’s perfect for you. So grab a cup of tea or coffee, and let’s explore the delicious world of Nigerian breakfast delights.
Some Tasty Nigerian Breakfast Delights
Nigeria is a country with a rich culinary heritage, and breakfast is no exception. Nigerians take their first meal of the day seriously, with a variety of dishes that are not only delicious but also healthy and satisfying. Here are some popular Nigerian breakfast delights:
Akara: Also known as bean cakes, Akara is a breakfast staple in Nigeria. Made from peeled black-eyed beans, onions, and pepper, Akara is a delicious and nutritious protein-packed breakfast.
Moi Moi: Moi Moi is a steamed bean pudding that is usually served with Akara or bread. Made from black-eyed beans, onions, and peppers, Moi Moi is a protein-rich breakfast that’s perfect for a healthy start to the day.
Ewa Agoyin: Ewa Agoyin is a spicy bean dish that is popular in Lagos, Nigeria. It’s made with black-eyed beans, onions, and a spicy sauce that’s made from peppers, palm oil, and other spices. It’s usually served with bread or rice.
Yam and Egg: Yam is a popular Nigerian staple food that’s rich in carbohydrates, and it’s usually served with eggs for breakfast. The eggs can be boiled, fried, or scrambled, and it’s a hearty and filling breakfast that’s perfect for a busy day.
Plantain and Egg: Plantain is a popular Nigerian fruit that’s often used as a substitute for potatoes. It’s a great source of carbohydrates, and it’s usually served with eggs for breakfast. The eggs can be boiled, fried, or scrambled, and it’s a tasty and nutritious breakfast.
Some Nigerian Breakfast Recipes
Akara
Akara is a popular Nigerian snack made from peeled and blended black-eyed peas that are mixed with spices and deep-fried until golden brown. If is a delicious and easy-to-prepare snack that can be enjoyed as a breakfast, brunch, or evening snack. Here’s a simple recipe for preparing akara:
Ingredients:
2 cups black-eyed peas
1 small onion, chopped
1 small scotch bonnet pepper, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground crayfish (optional)
Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions:
Soak the black-eyed peas in water for at least 3 hours or overnight. This will make it easier to remove the skin.
Drain the water and rinse the black-eyed peas. Place in a blender or food processor with the onion and scotch bonnet pepper. Blend until smooth, adding a little water if necessary to aid blending.
Pour the blended mixture into a bowl and mix in the salt and ground crayfish (if using).
Heat the vegetable oil in a deep frying pan over medium heat.
Using a spoon, scoop the mixture into the hot oil, shaping it into a small, round ball. Fry for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown on all sides.
Use a slotted spoon to remove the akara from the oil and drain on a paper towel.
Serve hot with a side of pap (cornmeal porridge) or as a snack on its own.
Enjoy your delicious and freshly prepared akara!
Ewa Agoyin
Ewa Agoyin is a delicious and popular Nigerian street food made with beans and a spicy sauce. Here’s a simple recipe to make it:
Ingredients:
2 cups of brown or black-eyed beans
2 onions, chopped
3-4 Scotch bonnet peppers (or habanero peppers), chopped
1 tablespoon of crayfish (optional)
2-3 seasoning cubes
1 cup of palm oil
Salt to taste
Directions:
Rinse the beans and soak them in water overnight, or for at least 6 hours. Drain and rinse the beans before cooking.
Put the beans in a pot and add enough water to cover the beans. Add one chopped onion and one seasoning cube, and boil until the beans are tender.
While the beans are cooking, make the spicy sauce. In a blender, blend the chopped onions and Scotch bonnet peppers until smooth. You can add a little water to help the blending process.
Heat the palm oil in a separate pot until it’s hot. Add the blended pepper mixture, crayfish (if using), and the remaining seasoning cubes. Stir well and cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the oil has turned red and the sauce is thick.
Once the beans are tender, drain any excess water, and mash them with a potato masher or fork until they’re slightly chunky.
Add the spicy sauce to the mashed beans and stir well. Add salt to taste and cook for another 5-10 minutes.
Your Ewa Agoyin is now ready to be served! It’s usually served with fried plantains, bread, or rice. Enjoy!
Moin moin
Moin moin is a Nigerian dish made from ground beans and other ingredients. Here’s a recipe for preparing moin moin:
Ingredients:
2 cups of black-eyed beans
1 red bell pepper
1 onion
2 scotch bonnet peppers
2 tablespoons of crayfish
1 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of bouillon powder
1/4 cup of vegetable oil
1-2 cups of water
Banana leaves or aluminum foil
Instructions:
Rinse the black-eyed beans and soak them in water for about 5 hours, or overnight.
Peel the onion and cut it into chunks. Remove the seeds from the bell pepper and cut them into chunks. Remove the stems from the scotch bonnet peppers.
Drain the beans and blend them in a food processor or blender with the onion, bell pepper, scotch bonnet peppers, crayfish, salt, and bouillon powder. Add water as needed to make a smooth paste.
Heat the vegetable oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the blended bean paste and cook, stirring constantly, for about 10 minutes.
Add enough water to the pot to cover the bean mixture, and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens.
Rinse the banana leaves or aluminum foil in warm water, and cut them into rectangles.
Grease the leaves or foil with a little vegetable oil, and scoop some of the bean mixtures onto each leaf or foil.
Fold the leaves or foil over the bean mixture to make little parcels.
Place the parcels in a pot with a little water, and steam over medium heat for about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Remove the parcels from the pot and allow them to cool before serving.
Moin moin can be served as a side dish, a snack, or a main course. Bon appetit!
Conclusion
In conclusion, Nigerian breakfast delights offer a wide range of flavors, textures, and ingredients that are sure to satisfy any taste bud. From hearty and filling dishes like Akara and Moi Moi to lighter options like Oatmeal and Fruit salad, there is something for everyone.
Moreover, these breakfast delights are not only delicious but also packed with essential nutrients that provide the energy and nourishment needed to start the day right. They are also a great way to experience the rich culture and culinary traditions of Nigeria.
So whether you are in Nigeria or anywhere in the world, be sure to try out these rich breakfast delights and experience the unique and delightful taste of Nigerian cuisine.
Which of these dishes will you be having as breakfast anytime soon?
