From Lagos to Louisiana, Havana to Seoul—one African recipe at a time.

Exploring all 54 African nations plus the global diaspora through authentic recipes and flavors.

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DESSERTS TO MAKE FOR CHRISTMAS

Add an African twist to your holiday table with these exquisite desserts. Each sweet treat brings warm spices, tropical fruits, and festive flavors to celebrate the season.

Festive • African-Inspired • Holiday Ready
Mango Fool African Dessert

Mango Fool

A light, creamy dessert featuring tropical mangoes, perfect as a refreshing finale to a rich holiday meal. Easy to make ahead!

March 2009 Fruit Dessert
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Nigerian Donut Holes

Nigerian Cage-Free Eggs Donut

Fluffy, golden doughnut holes dusted with sugar—a festive treat that will disappear quickly from your holiday dessert table.

February 2020 Fried Treats
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Sweet Easy Baklava

Sweet Easy Baklava

Layers of flaky phyllo pastry, nuts, and sweet honey syrup—an impressive yet approachable dessert for holiday celebrations.

March 2009 Pastry
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Salted Figs with Honey

Salted Figs with Honey

An elegant, sophisticated dessert where sweet honey meets salty figs—perfect for a grown-up Christmas celebration.

December 2014 Elegant Finish
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Food with Purpose: Discover how African cuisine connects to timeless wisdom

🍽️ Start Here • Explore the Connection

South African Frikkadel Meatballs

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South African Frikkadel Meatball Sub
South African Frikkadel Meatball Sub


Make South African Frikkadel Meatballs

Traditional South African Frikkadel or fry pads is an Afrikaner dish of ball-rolled minced meat meatballs that is quick to make and eat with a side salad, rice, corn or add to a thick tomato sauce. Frikkadel can be baked in an oven, but can also be deep-fried.


Easy Frikkadel Meatballs

Ingredients
1 pound ground beef or ground ostrich meat
1 medium onion finely chopped
1 cup of dried bread crumbs
1/4 cup whole milk
3 tablespoons of your favorite chutney
1 large egg
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon curry powder
1 teaspoon Worcester sauce
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Soak breadcrumbs in milk then mix all ingredients well with clean hands, roll the meat into medium size balls. Bake for 45 minutes. Serve warm with chutney or mustard on top of each meatball.

Easy Frikkadel Meatballs

Afrikaner is a South African of European descent who settled on the southern tip of Africa during the middle of the 17th century and whose native language is Afrikaans. Learn how to make iconic Frikkadel. South African Frikkadel are a lightly spiced South African meatballs.

BEGINNER FOODIE: AFRICAN RECIPES TO MAKE NOW

Rediscover heritage through these authentic dishes. Each recipe tells a story of culture, adaptation, and living food traditions that deserve to be preserved and shared.

African Noodles

Ditch Spaghetti, Eat African Noodles

A celebration of local noodle varieties that showcase Africa's culinary ingenuity beyond imported pasta.

March 2025 Modern Twist
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Italian-Influenced Libyan Pasta

Italian-Influenced Libyan Pasta

A delicious example of culinary fusion where North African flavors meet Italian pasta traditions.

January 2024 Fusion Cuisine
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Sweet Potato Leaves

Sweet Potato Leaves with Onion Fried

Rediscover the nutritious and flavorful leaves of the sweet potato plant, a traditional ingredient enjoying renewed attention.

January 2021 Traditional Greens
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Geelrys South African Yellow Rice

Geelrys: South African Yellow Rice Dish

A vibrant, turmeric-infused rice dish that's a staple of Cape Malay cuisine, representing centuries of cultural exchange.

November 2018 Classic Staple
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Photo of Ivy, author of The African Gourmet

About the Author

Ivy is the researcher and writer behind The African Gourmet, blending African food, history, and cultural storytelling. Her work is cited by universities, Wikipedia, major news outlets, and global food writers.

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