African Beignets (Puff Puff / Bofrot) – Sweet Fried Dough Balls from Togo
✨ Introduction

These sweet, fluffy beignets are a classic in many West African countries, including Togo, Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon. Known by different names – Puff Puff, Bofrot, Fankassa – they are among the most beloved snacks and are often enjoyed in the morning or evening with tea or a spicy pepper sauce.

📝 Ingredients (makes about 20 pieces)

• 500 g all-purpose flour

• 1 packet dry yeast (about 7 g)

• 100 g sugar

• 1 pinch of salt

• 400 ml lukewarm water

• 1 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla sugar

• Optional: nutmeg or lemon zest

• Vegetable oil for frying

👨🏽🍳 Preparation
1. Mix the dough
In a bowl, combine flour, yeast, sugar, salt, and vanilla.
Gradually add the lukewarm water, stirring until you get a smooth, elastic dough (no kneading needed).
The dough should be soft and sticky.

2. Let the dough rise
Cover with a cloth and let rest in a warm place for 1–1.5 hours, until it has doubled in size.

3. Fry
Heat oil in a deep pot to about 170–180 °C (340–355 °F).
Using a wet spoon or your hands, drop small portions of dough into the oil.
Fry until golden brown, turning occasionally.
Drain on paper towels.

🍴 Serving suggestion
Enjoy warm – plain, dusted with powdered sugar, or served with spicy African sauce. Perfect for breakfast or as a snack in between.

💡 Tip
You can add shredded coconut, mashed banana, or pineapple chunks to the dough for variation. A pinch of nutmeg or cinnamon also gives the beignets a special touch.