Bofloto (Ivorian Fried Dough Balls)
In short: Golden, nutmeg-scented yeast dough balls fried until crisp outside and soft inside, a favorite breakfast and street snack in Côte d'Ivoire. It takes about 50 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Resting
- 1 h
- Total
- 50 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 330 kcal
Bofloto are golden fried dough balls sold from street stalls and school gates in Côte d'Ivoire, eaten as a snack or breakfast with a hot drink. The yeasted dough is flavored with nutmeg and a little sugar, and it puffs in hot oil into balls that are crisp outside and soft inside. They are best eaten warm, on the day they are made.
Instructions
- Mix the flour, sugar, yeast, salt and nutmeg in a large bowl. Add the egg, warm water and 2 tablespoons of oil.
- Stir, then knead for 5 minutes until a soft, sticky dough forms. It should be softer than bread dough.
- Cover and let the dough rise for 1 hour in a warm place until doubled and bubbly.
- Heat the frying oil to 170°C (340°F) in a deep, heavy pot.
- Wet your hand and a spoon, scoop up a golf-ball-sized piece of dough and drop it into the oil. Fry 5 or 6 at a time for 4 to 5 minutes, turning, until deep golden.
- Drain on paper towels. Serve warm, plain or dusted with sugar.
Tips
- Keep the oil at 170°C (340°F). Hotter oil browns the outside before the center cooks, and cooler oil makes the dough greasy.
- Freshly grated nutmeg is far more aromatic than the ground kind. A pinch of vanilla works well too.
Questions and answers
Can I make bofloto dough ahead?
Yes. After mixing, refrigerate the dough overnight for a slow rise, then bring it to room temperature for 30 minutes before frying.
Why are my bofloto doughy inside?
The oil was too hot, or the balls were too large. Fry at 170°C (340°F) and keep the pieces to golf-ball size.
Can I bake them instead?
You can bake spoonfuls at 190°C (375°F) for 15 to 18 minutes, but they will be more like soft rolls than crisp fried balls.
How long does it take to make Bofloto (Ivorian Fried Dough Balls)?
About 50 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Bofloto (Ivorian Fried Dough Balls)?
About 330 kcal per serving, with 7 g of protein, 46 g of carbohydrates and 13 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 330 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 7 g |
| Carbohydrates | 46 g |
| Fat | 13 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 150 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
