Brazilian recipe
Traditional Acarajé: A simple recipe for fried bean fritters with shrimp (Acarajé : receita de bolinho de feijão frito com camarão)
Acarajé is a Brazilian classic, crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, traditionally filled with vatapá and dried shrimp. A tasty and authentic recipe.
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Ingredients
2 medium onions, peeled and chopped
500 ml vegetable oil for deep-frying
Salt to taste
500 g raw black-eyed peas, preferably high quality
1 small onion, unpeeled (for flavoring the oil)
1 small onion, unpeeled (for flavoring the oil)
500 ml dende oil (palm oil), for authentic flavor and color
150 g dried shrimp, cleaned and peeled
500 ml vegetable oil for deep-frying
Salt to taste
500 g raw black-eyed peas, preferably high quality
1 small onion, unpeeled (for flavoring the oil)
1 small onion, unpeeled (for flavoring the oil)
500 ml dende oil (palm oil), for authentic flavor and color
150 g dried shrimp, cleaned and peeled
Where to find ingredients
You can find black-eyed peas and onions at local farmers' markets or the produce aisle of supermarkets. Dried shrimp and dende oil are specialty items often available at ethnic grocery stores or international markets. Vegetable oil is available at any standard grocery shop.
Preparation method
- Soak the black-eyed peas in water for at least 12 hours to make them easier to process.
- Drain the beans and remove the skins by rubbing the grains with your hands or using a fine sieve under running water until most of the skins are removed.
- After removing the skins, rinse the beans thoroughly under running water and set aside.
- Using a food processor, pulse the beans until a homogeneous paste is achieved, but take care not to turn it into a puree.
- Perform this in batches if necessary.
- Transfer the dough to a large mixing bowl.
- Add the chopped onions and salt.
- Mix well.
- Using a wooden spoon, beat the dough vigorously for about 10 minutes until it triples in volume and becomes airy.
- This aeration process is essential for the final texture of the acarajé.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a deep pan.
- Add the unpeeled onion to the oil to infuse flavor.
- Using two spoons, shape the dough into fritters of approximately 8 cm in diameter, working carefully with your hands or the spoons.
- Fry the fritters in the hot oil for about 3 minutes on each side until they turn golden and crispy.
- Adjust the heat carefully to prevent them from burning.
- Remove the acarajé using a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Slice the fritters in half and stuff them with vatapá.
- Place the dried shrimp inside and close the acarajé.
- Serve hot, accompanied by your choice of sauces or salads if desired.
Observations
Acarajé is a renowned delicacy from Brazilian cuisine, especially famous in Bahia. Prepared with ground black-eyed peas, these fritters are deep-fried until they achieve a perfect golden and crispy texture. The recipe marries the soft consistency of the bean dough with the bold flavors of dried shrimp and vatapá, making it an irresistible choice for gatherings, snacks, or special meals. Master the step-by-step process to prepare this treat at home using accessible ingredients and straightforward techniques.
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