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West African Fufu Recipe recipe photo - West African Fufu Recipe by Jan

West African Fufu Recipe

Published: September 15, 2025 Prep Time: About 20 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes Total Time: 50 minutes Serves: 6 Difficulty: Medium Category: Side Dish Cuisine: African

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds yams or plantains
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 cup milk

Instructions

  1. Peel and cut yams into large chunks.
  2. Place in a large pot and cover with water.
  3. Add salt and bring to a boil.
  4. Cook for 20-25 minutes until very tender.
  5. Drain and return to pot.
  6. Add butter and milk.
  7. Mash with a potato masher until smooth.
  8. Continue mashing and stirring for 5-10 minutes until very smooth and elastic.
  9. The mixture should be thick and hold its shape.
  10. Serve immediately with soup or stew.

Special Notes

Fufu is a traditional West African staple that's perfect for scooping up soups and stews. The key is to mash the yams very thoroughly until they become smooth and elastic. It's traditionally eaten with the hands, using small pieces to scoop up other foods. The texture should be smooth and slightly sticky.

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