Acarajé with Black-Eyed Pea Fritters and Spicy Vatapá Sauce
Deep-fried black-eyed pea fritters filled with shrimp and served with creamy, spicy vatapá sauce, a classic street food from Brazil’s Afro-Brazilian culture. This Brazilian-inspired recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, turns black-eyed peas, onion, salt into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 6, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried black-eyed peas
- 1 medium, chopped onion
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup for frying red palm oil (dendê)
- 1/2 cup, chopped small cooked shrimp
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 cup vatapá sauce (see below)
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup dried black-eyed peas and soak overnight; peel skins off by rubbing peas between hands, then drain.
- Step 2: In a food processor, blend soaked peas with 1 medium chopped onion and 1 tsp salt until a smooth, thick batter forms.
- Step 3: Heat 1 cup red palm oil (dendê) in a deep frying pan over medium-high heat until shimmering at 350°F.
- Step 4: Shape the batter into 2 1/2-inch oval fritters and carefully lower them into the hot oil; fry for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
- Step 5: Remove fritters with a slotted spoon onto paper towels to drain.
- Step 6: Slit each fritter open and stuff with 1/2 cup chopped cooked shrimp mixed with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro.
- Step 7: Serve immediately topped with 1 cup creamy, spicy vatapá sauce (a blend of bread, coconut milk, peanuts, and spices) for dipping or spooning over.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Acarajé with Black-Eyed Pea Fritters and Spicy Vatapá Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (30 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Acarajé with Black-Eyed Pea Fritters and Spicy Vatapá Sauce?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in Acarajé with Black-Eyed Pea Fritters and Spicy Vatapá Sauce?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Acarajé with Black-Eyed Pea Fritters and Spicy Vatapá Sauce for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Acarajé with Black-Eyed Pea Fritters and Spicy Vatapá Sauce?
Brazilian snacks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
