Fufu Fries Recipe | African Gourmet's Plantain Fries with Spicy Ketchup

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Fufu Fries with Spicy African Ketchup

A fun, kid-friendly twist on traditional West African fufu that turns plantains into crispy, golden fries

Prep Time 1 hour 30 min

Cook Time 20 minutes

Servings 4 people

Difficulty Easy

Golden Fufu Fries - a delicious twist on traditional African fufu

From The African Gourmet: "Getting our children excited about their culinary heritage is one of my greatest joys. After 25 years of cooking, I've learned that the path to a child's heart often comes through fun, familiar shapes. These Fufu Fries are my playful twist on a West African staple."

Ingredients

For the Fufu Fries

• 3 green or yellow plantains
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Water for boiling
• Avocado oil for brushing

For the Spicy African Ketchup

• ½ cup ketchup
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• ½ tablespoon red pepper flakes
• ½ tablespoon garlic powder

Instructions

Making the Fufu Dough

1. 1 Place peeled and evenly cut plantains in a large pot and cover with water. Boil until tender, approximately 20 minutes.
2. 2 Drain the water completely, then spread the cooked plantains on a sheet pan to cool at room temperature for one hour.
3. 3 Place salt, flour, and cooled plantains in a mixer and knead until medium-hard dough consistency is achieved.

Pro Tip: The cooling process is crucial for the right texture. Don't rush this step!

Frying the Fufu Fries

4. 4 Roll the fufu into a flat rectangle and chill until firm. Slice into fry-sized pieces.
5. 5 Lightly brush with avocado oil for a golden finish.
6. 6 Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3–5 minutes.
7. 7 Place the fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
8. 8 Air fry for 13–15 minutes until crispy and golden brown.

Preparing the Spicy Ketchup

9. 9 Combine ketchup, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, and garlic powder in a small bowl.
10. 10 Mix well and let sit for 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld.

Homemade Spicy African Ketchup - the perfect dip for Fufu Fries

Enjoy Your African Culinary Adventure!

These Fufu Fries offer that wonderful texture unique to African cuisine — crispy outside with a soft, comforting center. Dipping them in the spicy ketchup creates an exciting flavor journey that makes snack time both educational and delicious.

Take your time with each bite and let the wonderful mix of tastes and textures remind you that our culinary traditions are living, breathing things — meant to be preserved, yes, but also adapted to bring joy to every generation at our table.

From my kitchen to yours,
The African Gourmet