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| Healthy Nigerian Breakfast |
Breakfast is the most essential meal of the day, and in Nigeria, it's no different. Breakfast, as the name implies, is a meal that breaks the overnight fast. Breakfast provides vital nutrients to your body, such as proteins, carbs, and lipids. It releases enzymes that help you lose weight and burn fat. It benefits your heart and increases the amount of nutrition you consume.
Choosing meals to eat daily in
our Nigerian homes can be a little tasking. Especially for breakfast meals.
This guide will take you through healthy breakfast ideas in Nigeria that youcan easily try.
Breakfast is arguably the most
important meal of the day, but a lot of Nigerians, are stuck deciding what to
eat in the morning, in today’s article, so we’ve compiled a list of 19 delicious and nutritious Nigerian breakfast dishes to kickstart your day with for
better health, energy and your satisfaction.
The Importance of Breakfast
Breakfast is the most essential
meal of the day. Breakfast, as the name implies, is a meal that breaks the
overnight fast. Breakfast provides vital nutrients to your body, such as
proteins, carbs, and lipids. It releases enzymes that help you lose weight and
burn fat. It benefits your heart and increases the amount of nutrition you
consume.
Studies have shown that those who
eat breakfast regularly tend to have better concentration, improved mood, and
enhanced productive results throughout the day.
Traditional Nigerian Breakfast Culture
Nigeria is a country with a rich
and diverse culinary culture. From the north to the south, from the east to the
west, countless dishes reflect the history, geography, and
ethnicity of the people. One of the best ways to experience Nigerian
cuisine is to start your day with a traditional Nigerian breakfast.
Nigerian Cuisine
Nigerian cuisine is aromatic and pungent, full of umami, smoky, spicy, bitter, and sour flavours that produce complex-tasting dishes. In many dishes, the depth of flavour is provided by smoked, fishy, and fermented elements. you can check 15 Must-Follow Nigerian Food Blogs and Websites in 2024
The beauty of Nigerian Dishes in Breakfast
Nigerian cuisine is influenced by
the country’s diverse ethnic groups, including Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo.
It is known for its bold flavors,
vibrant colors, and wide variety of ingredients. Staple foods in Nigerian
cuisine include yam, cassava, rice, and plantain, which are often served with
soups, stews, and sauces
Here are Popular Nigerian
Breakfast Dishes to try out:
- Akara
- Agege Bread and Ewa Agoyin
- Yam and Egg Sauce
- Plantain and Egg Frittata
- Tea with Bread and eggs
- Moimoi
- Okpa and Custard
- Jollof Rice with Fried Plantains
- Fried Yam and Pepper Sauce
- Pasta
- Nigerian Pancakes
- Gari Foto
- Cornmeal Pap (Akamu/Ogi)
- Beans Porridge
- Suya and Bread
- Plaintain porridge
- Dodo and eggs
- Gurasa with Suya
1. Akara and Pap
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| Akara |
Akara is a popular Nigerian
street food made from black-eyed peas that have been peeled, blended, and mixed
with onions, peppers, and spices. The mixture is then deep-fried until golden
brown, resulting in crispy, flavorful bean cakes. Akara is often served as a
snack or breakfast item, accompanied by bread or pap (a traditional Nigerian
porridge made from maize or cornmeal). Akara and pap are a delicious and
filling breakfast that will keep you full for hours.
2. Agege Bread and Ewa Agoyin
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| Agege bread and Ewa Agoyin |
Agege bread is a type of soft,
chewy bread named after the Agege area of Lagos, Nigeria. It is commonly paired
with Ewa Agoyin, a spicy bean stew made from mashed black-eyed peas cooked with
palm oil, onions, peppers, and seasonings. Ewa Agoyin is known for its intense
flavor and is often sold by street vendors in Nigeria.
3. Yam and Egg Sauce
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| Yam and Egg Sauce |
Egg Sauce is a popular Nigerian delicacy made of eggs, tomatoes, peppers, onions and fried with vegetable oil. Egg sauce is an easy-to-prepare dish, best enjoyed with boiled Yam, Bread, Potatoes or Platain and particularly eaten at breakfast.
Yam is a starchy tuber widely consumed in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa. In this breakfast dish, boiled or fried yam slices are served with a flavorful egg sauce made from scrambled eggs cooked with onions, tomatoes, peppers, and spices.
4. Plantain and Egg Frittata
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| Plantain and Egg Frittata |
This is a fun breakfast recipe for plantain lovers. It is super easy to make and filled with delicious flavors. All you need is a few simple ingredients and you’ll be enjoying this frittata in no time!
Ripe plantains are a staple
ingredient in Nigerian cuisine and are often enjoyed at breakfast. In this
dish, sliced ripe plantains are sautéed and combined with beaten eggs, onions,
peppers, and seasonings to create a frittata mixture. The mixture is then baked
or fried until firm, resulting in a savory and satisfying breakfast dish.
5. Tea with Bread and Egg
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Tea with Bread and Egg |
Bread and eggs is a classic
Nigerian breakfast dish that’s simple to make and always a crowd-pleaser. All
you need is bread, eggs, oil, salt, milk, and chocolate. Start by heating up
some oil in a pan and scrambling the eggs until they’re cooked through. Serve
the eggs and bread together with some tea for a delicious breakfast that will
keep you going all morning long.
6. Moimoi
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| Moimoi |
Moimoi is a traditional Nigerian
steamed bean pudding made from a mixture of blended black-eyed peas, onions,
peppers, and spices. The mixture is poured into containers or wrapped in banana
leaves or foil and then steamed until cooked through. Moimoi has a moist and
fluffy texture and is often served as a breakfast or snack item, either on its
own or with bread.
7. Fried Plantain and Egg
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| Fried Plantain and Egg |
This combination is another awesome breakfast dish common in Nigeria, it can also be eaten as lunch or dinner.
For fried plantain, ripe
plantains are commonly used. Some households prefer boiled plantain and
plantains that are not totally ripe.
Some people also include fried
sweet potatoes alongside fried plantain. The egg sauce can be made as egg stew,
scrambled egg or even garden egg sauce with other ingredients like meat and
fish added.
8. Jollof Rice with Fried Plantains
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| Jollof Rice with Fried Plantains |
Jollof rice is a popular West
African dish made from rice cooked in a flavorful tomato-based sauce with
onions, peppers, and spices. In Nigeria, it is commonly served for breakfast
alongside fried ripe plantains. The combination of savory rice and sweet
plantains creates a delicious and satisfying breakfast option.
9. Okpa and Custard
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| Okpa and Custard |
One of the best breakfasts I know is Okpa and Custard/Pap with enough milk
Okpa is the local name for
Bambara nuts. It is also the name of the boiled pudding made with the Bambara
nut powder.
It is mostly sold in the eastern part of Nigeria. Okpa is very filling and can keep hunger away until lunch. It is excellent for diabetics as well.
10. Fried Yam and Pepper Sauce
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| Fried Yam and Pepper Sauce |
Crispy fried yam with pepper sauce (dundun) is a delicious savory dish that can be served as a starter or side. With a few simple ingredients, you’ll be serving this delicious dish in no time. In this dish, slices of boiled or fried yam are served with a spicy pepper sauce made from tomatoes, onions, peppers, and seasonings. The sauce adds flavor and heat to the mild taste of the yam, creating a delicious and filling breakfast option.
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| Pasta |
11. Pasta
Pasta is another one of the best
breakfast ideas in Nigeria. While it is very starchy, you can balance it out
with eggs and meat or any other protein source.
You can also spice up your pasta breakfast with carrots, bacon and other veggies. Pasta is a delightful dish for breakfast and you should definitely incorporate it into your breakfast meal plan.
12. Nigerian Pancakes
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| Nigerian Pancakes |
Nigerian pancake is a yummy Nigerian snack that has savory flavor when pepper is brought into the mix. This pancake recipe is nothing more but just the Nigerian version of regular pancakes.
Nigerian pancakes are similar to
traditional pancakes but are made with a batter of flour, eggs, milk, sugar,
and sometimes spices. They are cooked on a griddle until golden brown and
fluffy. Nigerian pancakes are often served for breakfast with toppings such as
syrup, butter, or jam, and they are a favorite among both children and adults.
13. Gari Foto
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Gari Foto |
Gari is a fermented cassava
product commonly consumed in West Africa. Gari Foto is a traditional Hausa
breakfast dish made by mixing gari with hot water and sugar to create a thick
porridge-like consistency. It is often topped with groundnuts, coconut, and
sometimes milk for added flavor and texture.
14. Cornmeal Pap (Akamu/Ogi)
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| Akamu |
Pap, also known as Akamu or Ogi,
is a traditional Nigerian porridge made from fermented maize or cornmeal. It is
cooked with water until thickened and served hot. Pap is often eaten for
breakfast and can be sweetened with sugar or honey and flavored with milk or
spices.
15. Beans Porridge
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Beans Porridge |
Nigerian Beans porridge is a one-pot dish that is cheap, healthy, very easy to cook, and tastes delightful. Beans are a good source of plant protein, iron, fibre, and vitamin B. It is especially important for vegetarians and Weight Watchers. Nigerian mothers believe beans porridge is highly nutritious and will make a child grow taller, so they make sure it features regularly on the dinner table.
16. Suya and Bread
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| Suya |
Suya is a popular Nigerian street
food made from skewered and grilled meat (usually beef, chicken, or fish)
coated in a spicy peanut-based seasoning blend. It is often served with sliced
bread for breakfast or as a snack. Suya is known for its bold flavors and is a
favorite among Nigerians.
17. Plaintain Porridge
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Plaintain Porridge |
Plaintain porridge is a healthy
meal rich in vitamins C, A, and B-6 and is low in fat, making it one of the
best breakfast ideas in Nigeria.
This meal is also gluten-free and
high in calcium. You are sure to have energy throughout the day when you have
it for breakfast.
Plaintain porridge is best eaten when it’s made with dry fish and vegetables. It’s also great for pregnant women.
18. Dodo and the Eggs
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| Dodo and Egg |
Dodo and Egg is one of the traditional breakfast options in a Nigerian household. If you are not Nigerian, you are wondering if I am talking about a dodo egg, Dodo is also known as Fried Plantain in Nigeria.
Dodo and eggs is one of our favorites, and it’s super easy to make. Here’s how: First, you’ll need some plantain (which you can find at most markets or malls). Cut your plantain into small pieces, add a pinch of salt, and then you’ll need to fry them up with some eggs.
19. Gurasa With Suya
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| Gurasa With Suya |
Gurasa is a Nigerian flatbread that can be eaten with suya, a local Nigerian street food. Suya is made by marinating meat, such as beef, chicken, gizzard, or cow hump, and then skewering it and grilling it on a coal-fueled barbecue grill. Suya is seasoned with a blend of spices, including cayenne pepper, ginger, and ground peanuts.
Many traditional Nigerian
breakfast dishes are rich in protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, providing
a balanced mix of macronutrients to sustain energy levels and healthy soul and
mind and enhance productivity throughout the day.
Health Benefits of Nigerian Breakfast Dishes
Nigerian breakfast dishes are not only delicious but also packed with essential nutrients that promote overall health and well-being. You can also read more on the health benefits of some vegetables, fruits, and natural drinks
Energy Boost
With hearty servings of
carbohydrates and protein, Nigerian breakfasts offer a substantial energy
boost, ideal for powering through busy mornings and demanding schedules.
Promotion of Digestive Health
Ingredients such as beans, yams,
and whole grains are excellent sources of dietary fiber, which supports
digestive health and helps maintain regularity.
Balanced Diet
Which include various ingredients,
Nigerian breakfasts contribute to a balanced diet, ensuring that you get the
nutrients your body needs to thrive.
Tips for Preparing Nigerian Breakfasts
Use of Fresh Ingredients: Opt for
fresh, locally sourced ingredients whenever possible to enhance flavor and
nutritional value.
Proper Spicing
Experiment with traditional
Nigerian spices like curry, thyme, and ginger to add depth and complexity to
your dishes.
Experimentation with Flavors
Don't be afraid to get creative
in the kitchen! Mix and match ingredients to discover new flavor combinations
and culinary delights.
Final Word
Nigerian breakfast is the most essential meal of the day, and in Nigeria, it's no different. Breakfast, as the name implies, is a meal that breaks the overnight fast. Breakfast provides vital nutrients to your body, such as proteins, carbs, and lipids. It releases enzymes that help you lose weight and burn fat. It benefits your heart and increases the amount of nutrition you consume. So why not start your day the Nigerian way and treat yourself to a delicious morning meal that will leave you feeling energized and satisfied? Drop your comment in the comment section because we would like to hear from you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Nigerian breakfast dishes
spicy?
While some dishes may be spicy,
not all Nigerian breakfasts are heavily seasoned. Many offer a balanced mix of
flavors, with options for those who prefer milder fare.
Can I find Nigerian breakfast
ingredients outside of Nigeria?
Yes, many Nigerian ingredients
are available in specialty ethnic markets or online stores, making it possible
to recreate authentic Nigerian breakfasts anywhere in the world.
Are Nigerian breakfasts suitable
for vegetarians?
Absolutely! Many Nigerian
breakfast dishes are plant-based or can be easily adapted to suit a vegetarian
diet by omitting or substituting animal products.
How long does it take to prepare
Nigerian breakfast dishes?
Preparation times vary depending on the dish, but most Nigerian breakfasts can be made in under an hour, with some requiring less than 30 minutes from start to finish.
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