Ola Ola Pounded Yam Flour – Instant Iyan (Poundo Yam)

Ola Ola pounded yam flour makes real pounded yam without a mortar and pestle. It is instant yam flour (iyan in Yoruba, often called poundo yam): stir it into hot water and in about 5 minutes you have smooth, stretchy, lump-free pounded yam. Pick the bag size that fits your kitchen, from 2 lb up to the 18.5 lb family bag.

Pick your size

• 2 lb – to try it, or for a small household (about 6–8 servings)
• 4 lb and 5 lb – everyday family cooking
• 10 lb – big families and regular cooks
• 18.5 lb (8.4 kg) – parties, churches, caterers and restaurants

How to make pounded yam

1. Boil about 2 cups of water in a pot.
2. Turn the heat to low and add the flour a little at a time, stirring hard with a wooden spoon (omorogun).
3. Keep turning and pressing the dough against the side of the pot until it's smooth and stretchy, about 3–5 minutes.
4. Too stiff? Sprinkle in a little hot water, cover for a minute, and turn again. Too soft? Add a bit more flour.
5. Shape into balls with a wet bowl or plastic wrap and serve hot.

Rule of thumb: about 1 cup of flour makes one generous serving.

What to eat it with

• Egusi soup – the classic pairing (see also fufu and egusi)
• Efo riro, ogbono, okra or white (nsala) soup
• Get your soup ingredients too: egusi seeds, ground ogbono and bitter leaf

Details

• Brand: Ola Ola
• Also called: iyan, poundo yam, instant pounded yam, yam fufu
• Sizes: 2 lb, 4 lb, 5 lb, 10 lb and 18.5 lb (8.4 kg)
• Storage: close the bag tightly and keep it cool and dry

Making amala instead? Use Ola Ola elubo (amala yam flour). Browse all fufu flours, or read What Is Fufu?

Pick up in Chicago or ship anywhere in the U.S.

Looking for pounded yam near you? Pick it up at Yado African & Caribbean Market, 1651 E 87th St, Chicago, or order online for U.S. shipping.

Frequently asked questions

What is iyan?

Iyan is the Yoruba name for pounded yam: boiled yam pounded into a smooth, stretchy dough. This flour makes the same dish in minutes.

Is poundo yam the same as pounded yam?

"Poundo yam" is the everyday name for instant pounded yam flour. You cook it into pounded yam.

Is pounded yam the same as fufu?

Pounded yam is one kind of "swallow" or fufu, made from yam. Other fufu is made from cassava, plantain or cocoyam, and tastes and feels different.

Is it the same as elubo (amala flour)?

No. Elubo is made from sun-dried, darker yam and makes brown amala. Pounded yam flour makes white, stretchy iyan.

How much flour do I need per person?

About 1 cup of flour per generous serving. A 2 lb bag makes about 6–8 servings.