As someone who loves creating a warm, welcoming home, I’m always drawn to those simple moments that bring people together, especially when food is involved. And honestly, there’s nothing quite like the comfort of a sweet aroma drifting out of the kitchen; even better when it leads to something warm and delicious you can share.
So today, I’m extra excited to share one of my favorite dessert: Puff-Puff! These golden, fluffy, deep-fried dough balls are a nostalgic Nigerian treat - soft, subtly sweet, and dangerously easy to eat. And now, they’ve been recreated beautifully by Melissa of Season and Serve.
If you know Melissa, you already know her magic. The way she folds culture, comfort, and creativity into everything she cooks. When she whipped up a batch of puff-puff in her cozy Vancouver kitchen, it honestly felt like watching two worlds blend in the warmest way.
She used the fantastic Puff-Puff recipe from Immaculate Bites, a blog I’ve loved for ages. It’s foolproof, straightforward, and always gives perfect results.
Why Melissa Fell in Love With This Recipe
Picture this: A slow afternoon, soft music, the kettle warming up, and a plate of freshly fried puff-puff ready to be enjoyed. That’s exactly the kind of vibe Melissa created; relaxed, joyful, and incredibly inviting.
And if you have kids around? This recipe is a win. Mixing, shaping, watching them puff up… it's pure fun. Plus, who’s saying no to fried dough?
What You’ll Need
(Perfect amount for sharing, or for keeping all to yourself, no judgment.)
- 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 2 tsp active dry yeast
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg or cinnamon
- 2 cups lukewarm water
- Vegetable oil for deep frying
How To Make Puff-Puff
1. Mix the Dry Ingredients
Flour, sugar, yeast, nutmeg or cinnamon, salt - all whisked together in a roomy bowl.
2. Add Warm Water
Pour gradually and mix until the batter is smooth and thick like pancake batter, but still pourable.
3. Let It Rise
Cover the bowl and let it sit somewhere warm for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until bubbly and expanded.
4. Heat Your Oil
Set up your frying pot with about 3 inches of oil over medium heat.
5. Test the Temperature
Drop in a tiny bit of batter. If it floats and sizzles, you’re good.
6. Fry in Batches
Scoop small portions of batter gently into the oil. They’ll puff and turn themselves golden.
7. Drain and Enjoy
Place the puff-puff on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
A Little Moment I Loved
When she made this recipe again recently, we couldn’t resist styling it with a few of our favourite BLE tea towels. We spent the afternoon chatting, cooking, and pulling everything together — and it reminded me that joy doesn’t always come from big gestures. Sometimes it’s just a simple treat shared in a space that feels loved.
If you try this Puff-Puff recipe, I’d truly love to hear how it went. And if you have a comfort food you love, drop it in the comments. I always enjoy hearing what brings people joy in the kitchen.
Happy frying,
Love, Oris.
