Recipe · Yado Market Blog
Plantain fufu is a soft, stretchy West African swallow made from plantain. The traditional way means boiling and pounding plantains in a mortar. With plantain fufu flour, you get the same smooth fufu in about 10 minutes with just a pot, water and a wooden spoon.
Quick answer: how to make plantain fufu
- Mix 1 cup plantain fufu flour with 1 cup cold water until smooth.
- Cook on medium heat, stirring constantly as it thickens.
- Press and fold against the pot for 5 to 7 minutes, adding hot water if too stiff.
- Shape into balls and serve with your favorite soup.
10 min
Total cooking time
2 to 3
Servings per cup of flour
1 : 2
Flour to water
Gluten free
Made from plantain
Know your fufu
What Is Plantain Fufu?
Fufu is a staple across West and Central Africa. You pinch off a small ball with your fingers and use it to scoop up soup. Plantain fufu is smooth with a mild, slightly earthy taste. In French-speaking countries it's called foufou or foutou. Here's how it compares to other kinds:
Plantain fufu
Smooth, mild and slightly earthy. Easy for beginners.
Cassava fufu
Stretchier with a light sour note, popular in Ghana and Nigeria.
Pounded yam
Made from yam, not plantain. Heavier and very smooth.
Cocoyam fufu
Soft and silky, common in Cameroon and Ghana.
A taste of home
Across West Africa and the Caribbean, fufu is more than food. It's Sunday lunch, the pot your mother or auntie turned over the fire, and the dish served to honor guests. From Ghana to Nigeria, Sierra Leone to Cameroon, plantain fufu is a favorite because it's soft, mild and goes with every soup. With plantain fufu flour, you can keep that tradition going wherever you live, in 10 minutes.
Ingredients
What You Need (Serves 2 to 3)
- 1 cup Tropiway plantain fufu flour
- About 2 cups water: 1 cup cold to start, plus hot water as needed
- A heavy pot so the fufu doesn't stick or burn
- A wooden spoon or fufu stick for turning
- A small bowl and plastic wrap for shaping
Step by step
How to Make Plantain Fufu
The secret is starting with cold water and never stopping the stirring. Lumps form when dry flour hits hot water.
1. Paste
Mix the flour with about 1 cup of cold water in the pot until there are no dry lumps.
2. Heat
Put the pot on medium heat and stir constantly. It thickens within a minute or two.
3. Turn
Press it against the side of the pot and fold it over for 5 to 7 minutes. Add a splash of hot water if it's too stiff.
4. Shape
Cover for a minute, then shape into smooth balls with a wet bowl. Wrap in plastic to keep warm.
Troubleshooting
Tips for Perfect Plantain Fufu
Lumpy?
Take it off the heat and beat hard with the spoon. Next time, start with cold water.
Too soft?
Sprinkle in a little more flour and keep turning on the heat.
Too hard?
Add hot water a tablespoon at a time and fold it in.
No stove?
Microwave the mix 1 minute at a time, stirring between, 3 to 4 times.
Buying guide
Which Plantain Fufu Flour Should You Buy?
All of these cook the same way. The difference is the brand taste, the texture and the bag size.
Our pick
Tropiway Plantain Fufu 24 oz
Very smooth and stretchy. Save on 2, 5 or 10 bags.
Shop · $9.49
For big families
Mama Choice Plantain Fufu 10 lb
The bulk bag for parties and big households.
Shop · $41.99Shop the meal
What to Eat With Plantain Fufu
Fufu is always eaten with soup. These are the favorites, and everything you need to make them is at Yado Market:
The fufu
Tropiway Plantain Fufu Flour
24 oz bag, about 8 servings. Save when you buy 2 or more.
Shop · $9.49
Palm nut soup
Ghana Fresh Palm Nut Cream
Rich Ghanaian palm nut soup without the hours of pounding.
Shop · $8.49
Also great with: okra soup, light soup, groundnut (peanut) soup and goat pepper soup.
Good to know
Is Plantain Fufu Healthy?
Plantain fufu is a filling, naturally gluten-free carbohydrate. Like rice or bread, it's best enjoyed as part of a balanced plate:
Pair with greens
Choose soups with spinach, bitterleaf or okra.
Add protein
Fish, goat, chicken or beef keep you full longer.
Watch the portion
One fist-sized ball per meal is a good guide.
Shop Yado Market
Where to Buy Plantain Fufu Flour
- Pick up at our Chicago store, 1651 E 87th St
- Local delivery around Chicago, or shipped anywhere in the U.S.
- Save 2% on 2 bags, 4% on 5 and 6% on 10
- Everything for the soup in the same order
Frequently Asked Questions
What is plantain fufu made of?
Plantain fufu is made from plantains that are dried and milled into flour. Some brands blend in a little cassava or potato starch for extra stretch, so check the label if you want 100% plantain.
What does plantain fufu taste like?
Mild and slightly earthy, a little like a very soft dumpling. It takes on the flavor of the soup you eat it with.
What's the difference between fufu and plantain fufu?
"Fufu" is the general name for the dough-like swallow eaten with soup. It can be made from cassava, yam, cocoyam or plantain. Plantain fufu is simply the version made from plantain: smoother and milder than cassava fufu. Read more in What Is Fufu?
How much water do I need for 1 cup of plantain fufu flour?
About 2 cups in total: 1 cup cold water to make the paste, then hot water a little at a time until you like the texture.
How long does plantain fufu take to make?
About 10 minutes with plantain fufu flour, compared with an hour or more for boiling and pounding fresh plantains.
Can I make plantain fufu in the microwave?
Yes. Mix the flour and water in a microwave-safe bowl, heat for 1 minute, stir well, and repeat 3 to 4 times until smooth and stretchy.
Is plantain fufu the same as pounded yam?
No. Pounded yam is made from yam and plantain fufu is made from plantain. They're eaten the same way, with soup.
Is plantain fufu gluten free?
Plantain is naturally gluten free. Always check the label on the bag if you need to avoid gluten strictly.
How do I store leftover fufu?
Wrap each ball tightly in plastic and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave with a splash of water.
Ready to Make Plantain Fufu?
One bag of Tropiway plantain fufu flour makes about 8 servings of smooth, stretchy fufu. Pair it with egusi, palm nut or ogbono soup for a taste of home.