Cozy African Recipes to Try this Fall
African cuisine is a melting pot of flavors and traditions, with recipes that reflect the diverse cultures of the continent. This fall, why not try some delicious African recipes? From spicy stews to sweet desserts, there is something for everyone. In this roundup, we will explore a variety of African dishes including Ethiopian yataklete kilkil, West African peanut stew, dukkah, North African spiced winter vegetable couscous, Nigerian tomato stew, South African pumpkin fritters, slow cooker Moroccan chicken, carrot cakes with harissa yogurt sauce, and Kenyan irio. So get your kitchen ready and let's cook up some African flavor!
Ethiopian Yataklete Kilkil
This dish is traditionally made with green beans and potatoes, but you can also use other vegetables like carrots or cabbage. The key to this recipe is the berbere spice blend, which gives it a unique flavor. If you cannot find berbere, you can substitute with African chili pepper powder or other chili powder.
You'll Need:
- Potatoes
- Green beans
- arrots
- Canola oil
- Onion
- Garlic
- Jalapenos pepper
- Ginger
- Ground coriander spice
- Smoked Paprika
- Curry Powder or Turmeric
- White or black pepper
- Canned diced tomatoes
- Berbere or Chili Powder
- Salt
Get the recipe from Immaculate Bites here
West African Peanut Stew
This hearty stew is perfect for a cold fall day. It is made with peanuts, tomatoes, and a variety of spices. You can also add meat or vegetables to this stew. Believe us when we say, this recipe will have the whole house smelling warm, cozy, and delicious. (and is well loved by even the pickiest of eaters!)
You'll Need:
- Chicken legs, thighs and/or wings
- Vegetable oil
- Yellow or white onion
- Fresh ginger
- Garlic
- Sweet potatoes
- Crushed tomatoes
- Chicken stock
- Peanut butter
- Roasted peanuts
- Coriander
- Cayenne, or to taste
- Salt and black pepper
- Cilantro
Get the Recipe from Simply Recipes here
Dukkah
Dukkah is a delicious blend of spices, nuts, and seeds that originated in Egypt. (You'll find it enjoyed all around the Middle East as well) It can easily be a simple fall (or year round if you love it) staple because of it's versatility and deliciousness. It is often used as a dipping sauce or sprinkled on top of salads.
You'll Need:
- Walnuts
- Almonds (hazelnuts are more commonly used)
- Sesame seeds
- Coriander
- Cumin
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Get the recipe from Cookie and Kate here
North African Spiced Winter Vegetable Couscous
This couscous dish is packed with flavor and nutrients. It is made with winter vegetables such as carrots, turnips, and squash. The spices used in this recipe include cumin, cinnamon, and ginger -- a trio that is sure to invite fall to your home in the coziest way.
You'll Need:
- Cinnamon sticks
- Ground ginger
- Turmeric
- Smoked paprika
- Ground cumin
- Dried chilli flakes
- Salt flakes
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Parsnips
- Carrots
- Pumpkin, peeled & cut
- Red onion
- Chickpeas
- Couscous
- Saffron threads
- Vegetable stock
- Butter
- Lemon
- Dried sour cherries or currants (optional)
- Fresh coriander leaves
- Harissa, to serve (a Tunisian hot chilli paste)
Find the recipe by Sophie Zalokar here
Nigerian Tomato Stew
This stew is made with tomatoes, peppers, and a variety of other ingredients. It is a classic Nigerian dish that is typically served with rice or bread. Best of all? It's super simple to make and absolutely delicious!
You'll Need:
- Bell peppers
- Scotch bonnet peppers
- Plum tomatoes
- Onion
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Palm oil
- Olive oil or vegetable oil
- Tomato paste
- Beef stock
- Curry powder
- Dried thyme
- Chicken or beef bouillon
- Salt
Find the recipe by Chef Lola's Kitchen here
South African Pumpkin Fritters
Our list wouldn't be complete without some pumpkin, and these really hit the spot! These fritters are a sweet treat that can be enjoyed for breakfast or dessert. They are made with pumpkin, flour, sugar, and spices.
You'll Need:
- Pumpkin, or butternut squash
- Flour
- Salt
- Cinnamon
- Baking powder
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Oil
- Cinnamon sugar, if using for dessert
Find the recipe by Recipe Community here
Slow Cooker Moroccan Chicken
This chicken dish is infused with the flavors of Morocco. It is made with a variety of spices, tomatoes, and onions. The slow cooker makes it easy to prepare this dish, while filling your home with a delicious aroma along the way.
You'll Need:
- Chicken thighs
- Onion
- Ground cumin
- Ground ginger
- Ground coriander
- Ground cinnamon
- Cayenne pepper
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Bay leaf
- Low-sodium chicken broth
- Chickpeas
- Green olives
- Turkish apricots
- Sliced almonds
Find the recipe by Food & Wine here
Carrot cakes with Harissa Yoghurt
These carrot cakes are moist and flavorful -- but it's the sauce that really makes them special. They're served with a harissa, a North African condiment, yogurt sauce which gives them a bit of spice.
You'll Need:
- Carrots
- Chickpeas
- Chopped coriander leaves
- Ground cumin
- Ground coriander
- Egg
- Harissa (see recipes notes for more details)
- Low-fat Greek-style yoghurt
- Olive oil
- Watercress
Find the recipe here by Delicious here
Kenyan Irio
Last on our list is a traditional dish of Kenya, Irio. This dish is made with mashed potatoes, peas, and corn and is usually served with stew or grilled meat. (Would be a wonderful addition to the Thanksgiving table!)
You'll Need:
- Potatoes
- Corn
- Peas
- Salt
- Pepper
- Water
Find the recipe by Chef Lola's Kitchen here
Fall is the perfect time to experiment with new flavors, and African cuisine has a lot to offer. Our list of favorite African dishes for fall will give you a taste of what’s out there, and we hope you’ll be inspired to try some of them yourself. Be sure to subscribe to our email list so you don’t miss any future posts, and follow us on Instagram (@adeandayo) for more African joy in real-time. Thanks for reading, and bon appetit!
*all recipe photos displayed are from their applicable recipe links