Accra Banana (Banana Fritters) is a great way to use overripe bananas for a delicious breakfast accompaniment, late afternoon, or night snack. Serve it hot with hot sauce on the side for pure comfort. Simply addictive!
Accra Banana is deep-fried puffs made from bananas and flour, cornmeal, cassava, or garri (cassava flour)—the possibilities are endless. Many African cultures share a love of Accra banana and corn fritters in one way or another. Since bananas flourish in the tropics, they’re abundant, and nothing goes to waste.
That’s where using up overripe bananas comes in. I grew up eating Accra banana as a late afternoon or nighttime snack. Some people eat this for breakfast with pap or akamu (fermented corn flour). And it’s the perfect accompaniment to grilled fish, beans, or any other meal. It’s divine served hot with hot sauce on the side.
Recipe Ingredients
- Bananas – Ripe or overripe bananas add natural sweetness to homemade fritters.
- Dry Ingredients – Sugar, salt, flour, cornmeal, and baking powder add substance and soak up the juicy bananas’ liquid. No fat is necessary.
- Oil – A neutral-flavored oil that can handle high temperatures is ideal. Safflower, soybean, peanut, and canola oil are good choices.
How to Make Accra Banana
- Mash bananas with a fork or puree them in a food processor or blender.
- Mix – In a medium bowl, add sugar and salt to the mashed bananas. Mix well.
- Dry Ingredients – Add flour, cornmeal, and baking powder, mix well, and let it rest for 30 minutes.
- Heat oil (about 3 inches deep) to 375℉ (190℃) in a deep skillet or saucepan. You could also test the oil by dropping in a 1-inch cube of bread. If it takes 60 seconds to brown, it’s not there yet. If it browns in 10-20 seconds, the oil is hot enough.
- Fry – Put batter by spoonfuls in hot oil and fry until golden brown. Remove from hot oil, drain well, and serve.
Tips and Tricks
- Accra is usually best fresh, but you can make the batter the day before and keep it in the fridge. Take it out about 30 minutes before heating the oil to fry.
- If your batter is a tad too runny, add flour a little at a time until you get the right consistency.
- If your batter is a little too thick, mash another banana and add just enough to thin the batter to the right consistency.
- Store leftover Accra tightly wrapped in the fridge for 3-4 days or freezer for up to two months. Reheat in the oven or air fryer at 350-400℉ (180-205℃) until crispy.
What Goes With Accra Banana
Serve delicious Accra banana with African pepper sauce and a cup of coffee or ginger tea.
More Amazing Accra and Fritter Recipes
- Whole Wheat Accra
- Accra Cassava
- Hush Puppies
- Black-Eyed Pea Fritters
- Banana Puff Puff
- Saltfish Fritters
Watch How to Make It
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Keisha-gaye says
Can I bake this recipe be baked like banana bread
Imma says
I’ve never tried to make bread with this recipe. I think would work, but would probably add a couple of eggs just to make sure. Please let me know how it goes if you try it.
Blb says
Corn need is needed or we can simple to with flour and rest of ingredients
ImmaculateBites says
You can use only flour , if preferred . It works great either way.
Linda says
What are you dipping the fried Accra Banana in?
imma africanbites says
Hi, Linda. Please check the African Pepper Sauce here >> https://www.africanbites.com/african-pepper-sauce/
Ayélée says
Hi,
Can I only use corn flour??
Thanks 🙂
ImmaculateBites says
Hi,
You sure can.
Estelle says
Please can one use normal corn flour( that is grinder corn) for making tuwo. Thanks
ImmaculateBites says
I don’t see why not. It might have a different texture but it would definitely work out.
Lyn says
Recipe was very easy to follow and the results turned out great!! I had it with some avocado and homemade pepper sauce
Wish I could attach a pic
Immaculate Bites says
Thank you for trying my recipe, Lyn! And I’m happy it turned out great 🙂 Another fritters you might enjoy is my Apple Fritters. Enjoy!