Mosa
Nigerian Plantain Fritters
Deliciously sweet and soft fritters made from mashed overripe plantains, lightly spiced with nutmeg and fried to a golden crisp. Perfect as a snack or a delightful breakfast treat.
🧂 Ingredients
- 4 large Overripe plantains
- 100g All-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- Approximately 3-4 cups (or enough for 2-3 inches depth in your pot) Vegetable oil or other neutral oil for frying
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the plantains: Peel the overripe plantains. In a medium bowl, mash them thoroughly with a fork or potato masher until you achieve a smooth, lump-free consistency. Ensure there are no large pieces left.
⏱️ 7-10 minutes - 2
Combine the batter: Add the flour, ground nutmeg, and salt to the mashed plantains. Mix well with a spoon or spatula until all ingredients are fully incorporated and you have a thick, cohesive batter. The batter should be thick enough to hold its shape when dropped.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 3
Heat the oil: Pour the vegetable oil into a deep pot or Dutch oven, ensuring it's at least 2-3 inches deep. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 170°C (340°F). If you don't have a thermometer, test the oil by dropping a tiny bit of batter; it should sizzle immediately and float to the surface.
⏱️ 5-7 minutes - 4
Fry the fritters: Carefully drop rounded tablespoons of the plantain batter into the hot oil. Do not overcrowd the pot; fry in batches to maintain the oil temperature and ensure even cooking. Fry for 3-4 minutes per side, or until the fritters are a deep golden brown and puffed up. They should sound crisp when tapped.
⏱️ 10-12 minutes (total for all batches) - 5
Drain and serve: Using a slotted spoon, remove the fried mosa from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil. Serve the plantain fritters warm, either on their own or with a side of honey or a sprinkle of powdered sugar if desired.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Using very overripe plantains is crucial for the natural sweetness and soft texture of the mosa. Underripe plantains will result in a less sweet and firmer fritter.
- ✓The natural sweetness comes from the ripe plantains, making these a delightful treat without added sugar in the batter.
- ✓Mosa can be enjoyed as a standalone snack, a breakfast item, or even as a side dish.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- For a spicy kick, add finely chopped scotch bonnet pepper or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the batter.
- For extra sweetness, you can add 1-2 tablespoons of sugar to the batter, though the ripe plantains are usually sweet enough.