Cocoyam Fufu: What It Is, How to Make It & What to Eat It With
Recipe · Yado Market Blog
Cocoyam fufu is the silkiest fufu of all: smooth, soft and slightly nutty. It's a favorite in Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon. Here's what cocoyam is, how to make cocoyam fufu from flour in about 10 minutes, and what to eat it with.
Quick answer: how to make cocoyam fufu
- Mix 1 cup cocoyam fufu flour with 1 cup cold water until smooth.
- Cook on medium heat, stirring constantly.
- Press and fold for 5 to 7 minutes, adding hot water a little at a time.
- Shape into balls and serve with soup.
10 min
Cooking time
2 to 3
Servings per cup
1 : 2
Flour to water
Silky
Smoothest fufu
Know your ingredient
What Is Cocoyam?
Cocoyam is a starchy root vegetable grown across West and Central Africa and the Caribbean. The name covers two close cousins: taro (sometimes called "old cocoyam") and tannia (the "new cocoyam"). Both have brown, hairy skin and white or pale purple flesh. In Igbo it's called ede, and in Ghana its leaves are the kontomire used in palava sauce and kontomire stew.
What Does Cocoyam Taste Like?
Mild, slightly sweet and nutty, like a creamier potato. When cooked into fufu it turns very smooth and a little sticky, which is why many people prefer it to cassava fufu.
Ghana
Cocoyam fufu with light soup or palm nut soup.
Nigeria
Cocoyam paste is the classic thickener for onugbu (bitter leaf) and oha soup.
Cameroon
Pounded cocoyam becomes achu, served with yellow soup.
Caribbean
Known as dasheen or eddo, boiled or used in soups.
Ingredients
What You Need (Serves 2 to 3)
- 1 cup Mama's Choice cocoyam fufu flour
- About 2 cups water: 1 cup cold to start, then hot water as needed
- A heavy pot and a wooden spoon or fufu stick
- A small bowl and plastic wrap for shaping
Step by step
How to Make Cocoyam Fufu
Cocoyam fufu gets sticky fast, so keep a bowl of water nearby to wet your spoon and hands.
1. Paste
Mix the flour with about 1 cup of cold water in the pot until smooth with no dry lumps.
2. Heat
Cook on medium heat, stirring constantly. It thickens within a minute or two.
3. Turn
Press against the side of the pot and fold for 5 to 7 minutes. Add hot water a splash at a time if it's too firm.
4. Shape
Wet a small bowl, shape the fufu into smooth balls and wrap to keep warm.
Troubleshooting
Tips for Smooth Cocoyam Fufu
Lumpy?
Take it off the heat and beat hard, then return to the heat.
Too sticky?
Wet the spoon and your hands, and turn it a little longer.
Too soft?
Sprinkle in more flour and keep turning.
Soup too thin?
Stir a spoon of cocoyam flour into water and add it to onugbu or oha soup to thicken it.
Compare
Cocoyam Fufu vs Plantain Fufu
Cocoyam fufu
Silky, slightly sticky and nutty. Great for draw soups and Cameroonian achu.
Plantain fufu
Firmer and stretchier with a mild, earthy taste. Easiest for beginners. How to make plantain fufu.
Cassava fufu
Stretchy with a light sour note. Popular in Ghana and Nigeria.
New to fufu? Start with What Is Fufu? for all the types.
Buying guide
Which Cocoyam Fufu Flour to Buy
Our pick
Mama's Choice Cocoyam Fufu
Smooth and easy to stir. Great everyday cocoyam fufu.
Shop · $7.49
Shop the meal
What to Eat With Cocoyam Fufu
Cocoyam fufu shines with draw soups and leafy soups:
Good to know
Is Cocoyam Fufu Healthy?
Cocoyam is a starchy root that also gives you fiber and potassium. Like any fufu, it's a filling carbohydrate, so enjoy it with a soup full of greens and protein and keep the portion to about one fist-sized ball.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is cocoyam fufu made of?
It's made from cocoyam roots that are cooked, dried and milled into flour. Some brands blend in a little potato or other starch for texture, so read the label if you want pure cocoyam.
What does cocoyam taste like?
Mild, slightly sweet and nutty, like a creamy potato.
Is cocoyam the same as taro?
Cocoyam is the name used in West Africa for both taro and its cousin tannia. They look and cook alike.
How much water for 1 cup of cocoyam fufu flour?
About 2 cups: 1 cup cold water for the paste, then hot water a little at a time.
Can I eat raw cocoyam?
No. Fresh cocoyam must always be cooked; raw cocoyam can irritate the mouth and throat. Cocoyam fufu flour is ready to cook with water.
Where can I buy cocoyam fufu flour?
At Yado Market: pick up at 1651 E 87th St in Chicago, local delivery, or shipping anywhere in the U.S.
Ready to Make Cocoyam Fufu?
Smooth, silky and ready in 10 minutes. Pair it with bitter leaf, egusi or palm nut soup for a real taste of home.