Delicious and Healthy Bean Pancake (Akara Pancakes)
Akara, also known as bean fritters, is a cherished West African delicacy made from blended beans and spices traditionally deep-fried into balls. This healthier pancake twist without deep frying incorporates fresh vegetables and uses olive oil for a lighter touch, making it both nutritious and delicious.
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 10 pancakes 1x
Ingredients
- 2 cups peeled beans (black-eyed peas or brown beans)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
- 1 medium carrot, chopped
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon thyme (optional)
- Olive oil
Instructions
- Wash and soak the beans for 30 minutes.
- In a blender, combine more than half of the tomatoes, onions, carrots, and a pinch of salt. Blend until smooth.
- Whisk the blended mixture until the batter becomes fluffy.
- Add the remaining chopped vegetables, salt, and thyme to the batter. Mix well.
- Heat a pan and add a small amount of olive oil. Once hot, reduce the flame to very low.
- Scoop portions of the batter onto the pan, forming small circles. Cover the pan and cook for 10 minutes.
- Check if the underside is brown and cooked. Flip and cook the other side for about 6 minutes.
- Once both sides are done and the edges are slightly crispy, remove the akara from the pan.
- Repeat the process until all the batter is used.
- Serve the akara hot. Enjoy your meal.
Notes
This pancake version of bean fritters offers a nutritious alternative using minimal oil without compromising on taste while avoiding deep frying. Incorporating vegetables like carrots and using olive oil enhances its health benefits, making this version a delightful addition to your meal repertoire.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Healthy Food
- Method: light frying
- Cuisine: African
Keywords: akara recipe healthy akara Nigerian bean fritters bean fritters recipe akara with vegetables vegetarian akara low oil akara olive oil akara plant-based akara akara pancakes
