Brazilian recipe
Traditional Homemade Acarajé: An Authentic Recipe (Acarajé : receita e)
Learn how to prepare authentic Bahian acarajé at home. A light, crispy bean fritter fried in red palm oil, filled with savory vatapá and dried shrimp.
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Ingredients
500 g raw black-eyed peas
2 large onions, chopped
Salt to taste
500 ml dendê oil (red palm oil)
500 ml vegetable oil
150 g dried shrimp
Ready-made vatapá
Malagueta pepper to taste
2 large onions, chopped
Salt to taste
500 ml dendê oil (red palm oil)
500 ml vegetable oil
150 g dried shrimp
Ready-made vatapá
Malagueta pepper to taste
Where to find ingredients
You can find dried shrimp, onions, and basic pantry staples at local public markets (palengke) or supermarkets. The specific dendê oil (red palm oil) may require a visit to specialty import shops or online gourmet food platforms. If you cannot find ready-made vatapá, it is typically prepared as a paste from bread, coconut milk, peanuts, and cashews.
Preparation method
- Lightly crack the raw black-eyed peas in a blender without pulverizing them completely.
- Place the beans in a bowl, cover with water, and let them soak for 8 to 12 hours to help loosen the skins.
- Remove the loosened skins, rinse the beans well under running water, and drain completely.
- In a blender, process the peeled beans with the chopped onions and salt until you achieve a smooth, creamy dough.
- Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and beat vigorously with a wooden spoon until it doubles or triples in volume.
- In a deep pot, heat a mixture of dendê oil and vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
- Using two spoons, shape the dough into fritters and carefully drop them into the hot oil.
- Fry the acarajé for approximately 3 to 4 minutes on each side until they are golden and crispy.
- Remove the fritters with a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
- Cut each acarajé in half horizontally, without separating the two pieces completely.
- Fill generously with vatapá and dried shrimp.
- Add malagueta pepper to taste if you prefer a spicy touch.
Observations
Acarajé is an iconic delicacy from Brazilian cuisine, especially synonymous with Bahia, celebrated for its flavorful dough made from black-eyed peas. The careful preparation process results in fritters that are true gastronomic gems. Traditionally served with vatapá, dried shrimp, and a spicy kick of chili, acarajé provides a tasting experience that honors a rich Afro-Brazilian heritage.
This detailed recipe guides you through preparing authentic acarajé in your own kitchen. Follow the traditional techniques to ensure the fritters are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, perfect for any special occasion. The secret lies in the preparation of the dough and the precise frying in dendê oil (red palm oil).
This detailed recipe guides you through preparing authentic acarajé in your own kitchen. Follow the traditional techniques to ensure the fritters are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, perfect for any special occasion. The secret lies in the preparation of the dough and the precise frying in dendê oil (red palm oil).
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