BBQ brisket shredded and served with fries Oven-Braised BBQ Brisket BBQ chicken thighs served Sticky BBQ Chicken Thighs (Oven Baked) BBQ ribs served with corn on the cob Oven-Baked BBQ Ribs with Buttered Corn Irish pear cider served fresh Irish Pear & Cider Cocktail Holiday apple cider served in a glass Mulled Holiday Apple Cider with Orange Spiced cherry cider served in a glass Spiced Cherry Apple Cider Glass of blueberry mint lemonade Blueberry Mint Lemonade with Homemade Syrup Blueberry iced tea in a glass Fresh Blueberry Iced Tea Blueberry liqueur in a bottle Homemade Blueberry Vodka Liqueur Green Apple Cider served fresh Iced Granny Smith Apple Cider Mocktail Green tea with lemon served fresh Classic Lemon Green Tea Vanilla latte served fresh Homemade Vanilla Bean Latte Fiery spiced cider in a glass Spicy Ginger-Chili Apple Cider Oak Aged Cider served in a glass Bourbon-Barrel Style Spiced Apple Cider Winter fruit tea served in a glass Spiced Winter Fruit Tea with Rosehips Tropical fruit tea served in a glass Tropical Green Tea Punch with Mango and Pineapple Salted Caramel Cider in a glass Salted Caramel Apple Cider Cantaloupe smoothie in a glass Creamy Cantaloupe & Yogurt Smoothie Plum Vanilla Cider served Vanilla-Plum Sparkling Apple Cider Mocktail Spiced Plum Tea served in a glass Spiced Plum Tea Infusion BBQ brisket shredded and served with fries Oven-Braised BBQ Brisket BBQ chicken thighs served Sticky BBQ Chicken Thighs (Oven Baked) BBQ ribs served with corn on the cob Oven-Baked BBQ Ribs with Buttered Corn Irish pear cider served fresh Irish Pear & Cider Cocktail Holiday apple cider served in a glass Mulled Holiday Apple Cider with Orange Spiced cherry cider served in a glass Spiced Cherry Apple Cider Glass of blueberry mint lemonade Blueberry Mint Lemonade with Homemade Syrup Blueberry iced tea in a glass Fresh Blueberry Iced Tea Blueberry liqueur in a bottle Homemade Blueberry Vodka Liqueur Green Apple Cider served fresh Iced Granny Smith Apple Cider Mocktail Green tea with lemon served fresh Classic Lemon Green Tea Vanilla latte served fresh Homemade Vanilla Bean Latte Fiery spiced cider in a glass Spicy Ginger-Chili Apple Cider Oak Aged Cider served in a glass Bourbon-Barrel Style Spiced Apple Cider Winter fruit tea served in a glass Spiced Winter Fruit Tea with Rosehips Tropical fruit tea served in a glass Tropical Green Tea Punch with Mango and Pineapple Salted Caramel Cider in a glass Salted Caramel Apple Cider Cantaloupe smoothie in a glass Creamy Cantaloupe & Yogurt Smoothie Plum Vanilla Cider served Vanilla-Plum Sparkling Apple Cider Mocktail Spiced Plum Tea served in a glass Spiced Plum Tea Infusion
Chicken stuffed Acarajé with tapioca balls, served with fried plantains and cilantro
Fusion Acarajé with chicken, crispy fritters, and fried plantains

Black Bean Acarajé with Spicy Chicken

Author: Flavelo
Recipes Main Courses
Acarajé is an iconic street food from Bahia, Brazil, with roots in West Africa. Originally made from black-eyed peas, pureed and fried in palm oil. This recipe is an exciting fusion version using black beans and tapioca, reminiscent of the texture of Brazilian 'pão de queijo' (cheese bread), stuffed with spicy chicken.
🕒 Prep Time 20 mins
🍳 Cook Time 20 mins
⌛ Total Time 40 mins
🍽️ Servings 4 servings
🔥 Calories 650 kcal
🌍 Cuisine Brazilian (Bahia)

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Immersion blender or food processor
  • Deep pot for frying

Instructions

1 ✓

Place beans, onion, garlic, and chili in a food processor. Pulse to a puree (some chunks are fine). Mix in the tapioca starch and just enough water (if needed) to form a moldable, dough-like consistency.

Tip: Tapioca gelatinizes with heat, holding the ball together without eggs.
2 ✓

Mix the shredded chicken with cilantro, lime juice, and salt. This will be the filling (traditionally, the fried ball is split and stuffed).

Tip: Season the meat heavily as the bean dough absorbs flavors.
3 ✓

Form balls from the bean mixture. (Optionally, stuff a little chicken inside, or fry them plain to split later).

Tip: Work with wet hands, as tapioca is sticky.
4 ✓

Heat oil to 340°F (170°C). Fry balls until golden brown and crispy (approx. 4-5 minutes).

Tip: They will be soft and airy inside, crispy outside.
5 ✓

Slice the bananas/plantains and fry in a pan with a little oil.

Tip: The sweetness of fried plantain is a classic accompaniment to savory-spicy Brazilian dishes.
6 ✓

Split the fried acarajé balls, pile in the chicken filling. Serve with fried plantains.

Tip: Best served piping hot!

Recipe FAQ

Why did the ball fall apart in the oil?
The batter was too wet. Add a bit more tapioca starch. The oil must be hot enough to form a crust immediately.
Can I replace tapioca?
It's difficult. Tapioca (manioc starch) provides the characteristic chewy-crispy texture.

Ingredients

  • 1 can (15 oz) Black Beans (cooked/rinsed)
  • 2 cups Cooked Chicken Breast (shredded)
  • 3/4 cup Tapioca Starch (or Manioc Flour)
  • 1 medium Onion
  • 3 cloves Garlic
  • 1 whole Lime
  • 1 bunch Fresh Cilantro
  • 2 whole Bananas or Plantains (not too ripe)
  • 1 whole Chili Pepper (fresh)
  • 2 cups Oil for frying
  • 1 tsp Salt