Nigerian Chin Chin Recipe

Content… What Is It? Recipe Ingredients How to Make It Recipe Variations Tips and Tricks Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions What to Serve More Celebration-Worthy African Foods to Try Watch How to Make It

What Is Chin Chin?

Throughout West Africa and Nigeria, chin chin (small, crispy pieces of fried dough typically sweetened and flavored with nutmeg) was prepared for special occasions. While I was growing up, it was customary in most homes in Cameroon to make this delicious snack during Christmas. Each home has its own chin chin recipe. Some are soft to the point of falling apart, while others are so hard you feel like your teeth are going to break.

Some people shape them like small balls; others knead and cut them into small squares. The overall experience of slowly feasting on chin-chin is indescribable. I never tire of trying all the different chin-chin variations.

Even at this ripe old age, I still love it. The only issue is, “Once I pop, I cannot stop.” On one occasion, I had to hide my chin chin in the trunk of my car. It may have been a little extreme, but I wasn’t prepared to share! 🙈

Recipe Ingredients

1. Flour – Some all-purpose flour with a little added baking powder is the base ingredient for these fun treats. 
2. Flavor Enhancers – Sugar sweetens while salt enhances the overall flavor of these snacks.
3. Butter – Butter adds richness and flavor to chin chin.
4. Eggs – Eggs bind the batter together and contribute to the overall texture of chin chin.
5. Milk – Milk gives the batter the right consistency and helps give these fried snacks a cake-like flavor.
6. Flavorings – Grated nutmeg and lime zest add the classic flavor to these addictive snacks.

How to Make Chin Chin

• Dry – Using a mixer (or by hand), mix the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, nutmeg, and lime zest. (Photo 1)
• Butter – Mix the butter into the flour mixture until well incorporated. (Photo 2)
• Liquids – Add the milk and egg into the mixture. Keep mixing until you form a sticky dough ball. (Photo 3-4)
• Knead – Dump the dough ball onto a floured surface and knead, incorporating more flour into the dough as needed, until the dough is smooth, elastic, and even in color and no longer sticky. You can create many shapes and sizes for chin chin.
• Divide the dough in half. On a floured board, roll each half out until it’s about ⅙ inch thick, just like linguine or fettuccine. A pasta machine works great if you have one. Then, cut the dough into any shape you desire. (Photos 5-7)
• Fry – Heat a deep cast-iron skillet, saucepan, or (my all-time favorite) a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add around 3 inches of oil and heat it to 375℉ (190℃). Fry chin chin in the hot oil until golden. (Photo 8)
• Serve – Remove them from the oil, drain, and serve. 

Recipe Variations

1. Make it chocolatey. Add a spoonful of cocoa powder to the dough for a chocolate-flavored version. You can also dip the fried chin chin pieces in melted chocolate for an extra indulgent treat.
2. A nutty version. Mix finely chopped nuts (like peanuts, almonds, or cashews) into the dough for a crunchy texture. You can also sprinkle nuts on top before frying.
3. Get spicy. Add a pinch of cayenne or ground chili powder to the dough for a spicy kick. The savory element offers a delightful contrast to the sweetness. ❤️‍🔥

Tips and Tricks

1. If you like your chin chin softer, add 1-2 extra tablespoons of butter. Just don’t go overboard with the extra butter, or your finished chin chin will crumble.
2. A pasta machine helps roll out the dough for shaping. Check out how to use it in my Ghana chin chin recipe.
3. Keep an eye on your oil temperature as you fry to make sure it doesn’t overheat. In addition, don’t overcrowd the frying pan, which could make the oil temperature drop quickly, resulting in greasy chin chin.

Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions

You can store chin chin in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a month, so feel free to make them in advance. 

What Goes With Nigerian Chin Chin

You can serve chin chin on its own or with dips (chocolate sauce and caramel sauce are particularly tasty). Or serve it with other savory snacks, like plantain chips.

You could also include Nigerian chin chin as part of a larger snack platter with other treats like puff-puff, meat pies, or sambusas for variety. Wash it all down with some sorrel drink. 🤤

More Celebration-Worthy African Foods to Try

Besides popular recipes we enjoy for celebrating Christmas, try out these recipes.

1. Ghana Jollof Rice
2. Chocolate Malva Pudding
3. Mini Mandazi
4. Shuku Shuku
5. Coconut Rock Buns

By Imma

Watch How to Make It

[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”leWUmIP9″ upload-date=”Mon Aug 06 2018 20:14:42 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)” name=”Chin Chin” description=”Chin Chin – West African Fried pastry enjoyed throughout the region especially in Nigeria- Crispy Crunchy and Addictive.”]

This blog post was originally published in November 2012 and has been updated with additional tips, new photos, and a video