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

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. Degas the dough

    After the dough has risen, gently punch it down with your hand to release excess air.

    Time: PT2M

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

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Milky Puff Puff

Recipe by Cooking with Efya

A soft‑inside, golden‑outside Nigerian‑style milk puff puff. Made with all‑purpose flour, a touch of sugar, instant yeast, and whole milk, then deep‑fried to perfection. Perfect for breakfast, tea time, or any snack occasion.

EasyNigerianServes 4

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
44m
Prep
20m
Cook
10m
Cleanup
1h 14m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$1.37
Total cost
$0.34
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • 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.

Safety Warnings

  • Hot oil can cause severe burns – keep a lid nearby to cover the pan in case of splatter.
  • Never leave the oil unattended.
  • Use long‑handled utensils to avoid getting too close to the oil.

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