Milky Puff Puff
Milky Puff Puff is a easy Nigerian recipe that serves 4. 150 calories per serving. Recipe by Cooking with Efya on YouTube.
Prep: 37 min | Cook: 20 min | Total: 1 hr 7 min
Cost: $1.37 total, $0.34 per serving
Ingredients
- 2 cups All‑purpose flour (sifted)
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt (to taste)
- 2 tablespoons Granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon Instant dry yeast (active dry or instant)
- 1 cup Whole milk (room temperature; can substitute with any milk)
- 2 cups Vegetable oil for deep‑frying (enough to fill a deep pan 2‑3 inches deep)
Instructions
Combine dry ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sifted all‑purpose flour, salt, sugar, and instant yeast until evenly distributed.
Time: PT5M
Add milk and form dough
Gradually pour the room‑temperature whole milk into the dry mixture, stirring with a whisk or wooden spoon. Add the milk little‑by‑little until the dough comes together and is soft but not overly sticky.
Time: PT5M
First proof
Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes, or until it roughly doubles in size.
Time: PT30M
Degas the dough
After the dough has risen, gently punch it down with your hand to release excess air.
Time: PT2M
Heat oil
Pour the vegetable oil into a deep‑fry pan to a depth of about 2‑3 inches. Heat over medium heat until the oil reaches roughly 180°C (350°F). If you don’t have a thermometer, drop a small piece of dough; it should sizzle and rise to the surface within a few seconds.
Time: PT5M
Temperature: 180°C
Fry the puff puffs
Using a spoon or wet hands, scoop small portions of dough (about the size of a walnut) and gently drop them into the hot oil. Fry in batches, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown all over, about 3‑4 minutes per batch.
Time: PT15M
Temperature: 180°C
Drain and serve
Using a slotted spoon, lift the puff puffs onto a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil. Serve warm.
Time: PT2M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 150
- Protein
- 3g
- Carbohydrates
- 20g
- Fat
- 6g
- Fiber
- 1g
Dietary info: Vegetarian, Can be made vegan by using plant‑based milk
Allergens: Milk, Wheat (gluten)
Ingredient Substitutions
- Instead of All‑purpose flour: Plain flour, Bread flour
- Instead of Granulated sugar: Brown sugar, Honey (reduce liquid)
- Instead of Instant dry yeast: Fresh yeast (double amount)
- Instead of Whole milk: Almond milk, Soy milk, Oat milk
- Instead of Vegetable oil for deep‑frying: Canola oil, Peanut oil, Sunflower oil
Equipment Needed
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk or wooden spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Deep‑fry pan or pot
- Slotted spoon or spider strainer
- Paper towels
- Thermometer (optional) (optional)
- Timer (optional)
- Plate for resting (optional)
Critical Steps — Do Not Skip
- Achieving the correct dough consistency (soft but not sticky).
- Ensuring the oil reaches and stays at ~180°C before frying.
- Avoiding overcrowding the pan, which cools the oil and leads to soggy puff puffs.
Chef Tips from the Video
- Warm the milk slightly (around 30‑35°C) to give the yeast a gentle boost.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg or vanilla extract to the dough.
- Use a metal spoon to scoop dough; wet your hands lightly to prevent sticking.
Troubleshooting
Dough is too sticky.
Add flour a tablespoon at a time until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl but remains soft.
Dough does not rise.
Check that the yeast is fresh and that the milk was not too hot (above 45°C) which can kill the yeast.
Puff puffs turn out dense and not fluffy.
Make sure the oil is hot enough before adding the dough; low oil temperature causes the dough to absorb oil rather than puff.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days; reheat briefly in a skillet or oven.
Freezer: Freeze in a single layer on a tray, then transfer to a zip‑top bag; lasts up to 1 month. Reheat from frozen in a hot pan.
Room temperature: Not recommended beyond a few hours as they can become soggy.
Make-Ahead Tips
- The dough can be mixed and proofed up to 4 hours ahead; keep covered in the refrigerator.
- Fried puff puffs can be reheated in a preheated oven at 180°C for 5‑7 minutes to regain crispness.
Last updated: August 24, 2026





