Snacks · Yado Market Blog
Chin chin is West Africa's favorite crunchy snack: small cubes of sweet dough, fried until golden. Here's what chin chin is, the brands we sell in Chicago, and an easy homemade recipe.
Quick answer: what is chin chin?
A crunchy, lightly sweet fried snack from Nigeria and West Africa, made from flour, sugar, butter, milk and a little nutmeg. It's cut into small cubes or strips and deep-fried. Think of a crunchy cookie bite.
Crunchy
Texture
6
Main ingredients
30 min
Homemade, start to finish
2 weeks
Keeps in an airtight jar
Know your snack
What Is Chin Chin?
Chin chin is a fried dough snack eaten all over West Africa, most of all in Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroon. The dough is made from wheat flour, sugar, butter or margarine, milk and often egg and nutmeg. It's rolled thin, cut into small squares or strips and deep-fried until crunchy and golden [1].
It's the snack at every Nigerian party, wedding and Christmas, and it's sold in small bags by street vendors. Some families make it hard and crunchy, others make it softer and more like a cookie.
What Does Chin Chin Taste Like?
Sweet but not too sweet, buttery and crunchy, with a warm hint of nutmeg. Coconut chin chin adds a toasty coconut flavor.
Nigeria
The classic. Crunchy cubes, sweet with nutmeg. Also called chinchin.
Ghana
Often in strips or twists. Same dough, same crunch.
Cameroon
Often called gâteau or croquettes.
Coconut chin chin
Coconut is added to the dough for extra flavor.
Buying guide
Chin Chin Brands We Sell
All three are in stock at our Chicago store and ship anywhere in the U.S.
Best seller
Africa's Finest Coconut Chin Chin
Crunchy chin chin with coconut, in a 250 g or 500 g tub.
Shop · $6.99
Snack size
Dough Crunch Classic Chin Chin
A 3.5 oz bag of the classic flavor. Perfect for lunch boxes.
Shop · $1.89
Party bag
Oluade Chin Chin
Golden, lightly sweet chin chin in a bigger bag for sharing.
Shop · $5.99Ingredients
Homemade Chin Chin: What You Need
Makes about 4 cups. Use a 1-cup measure.
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (about 375 g)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg and 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking powder (optional, for a softer bite)
- 4 tbsp butter or margarine, cold
- 1 egg
- About 1/2 cup Peak evaporated milk (or regular milk)
- Optional: a few drops of coconut flavoring for coconut chin chin
- Optional: a few drops of 3 Lions pineapple or strawberry essence for a fruity twist
- Vegetable oil for deep-frying
Step by step
How to Make Chin Chin
Keep the pieces small and the oil at a steady medium heat. That's the secret to even, golden chin chin.
1. Mix
Whisk the flour, sugar, nutmeg, salt and baking powder in a big bowl.
2. Rub
Rub in the cold butter with your fingers until it looks like breadcrumbs.
3. Dough
Beat the egg with the milk and add slowly. Knead to a firm, smooth dough. Rest 10 minutes.
4. Cut
Roll it about 1/4 inch thick. Cut into small 1/2-inch squares or thin strips.
5. Fry
Fry in batches in oil at about 350°F, stirring, for 4 to 6 minutes until golden.
6. Cool
Drain on paper towels. It gets crunchier as it cools. Store in an airtight jar.
Troubleshooting
Tips for Perfect Chin Chin
Too hard?
Add the baking powder, or use a little more butter and less flour next time.
Too soft?
Fry a little longer at a lower heat, and let it cool fully before you taste.
Brown outside, raw inside?
The oil is too hot. Turn it down to medium.
Want it lighter?
Bake at 350°F for 15 to 20 minutes, turning once. It's less crunchy but still good.
Compare
Chin Chin vs Puff Puff vs Plantain Chips
Chin chin
Crunchy, dry and sweet. Keeps for weeks. Great for parties and gifts.
Puff puff
Soft, round and doughy fried balls. Best eaten warm on the same day.
Plantain chips
Thin, salty or sweet chips made from plantain. No flour.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nigerian chin chin made of?
Flour, sugar, butter or margarine, milk, and usually egg and nutmeg. The dough is cut into small pieces and deep-fried [1].
Why is it called chin chin?
Nobody knows for sure. The name is used across West Africa for this fried dough snack. It has nothing to do with the toast "chin-chin" or the restaurants of the same name.
Is chin chin fried or baked?
Traditionally it's deep-fried. You can bake it for a lighter snack, but it will be less crunchy.
How long does chin chin last?
Homemade chin chin keeps about 2 weeks in an airtight jar. Store-bought packs last until the date on the pack; close the tub well after opening.
Where can I buy chin chin near me?
At Yado Market, 1651 E 87th St, Chicago: pick up in store, local delivery, or shipping anywhere in the U.S.
Craving Chin Chin?
Grab a tub of coconut chin chin or a snack-size bag today. Pick up in Chicago or get it shipped.