Deep-Fried Acarajé with Spicy Vatapá Filling

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Traditional Bahian street food featuring black-eyed pea fritters fried to golden perfection and stuffed with creamy, spicy shrimp vatapá. This brazilian-inspired street food ready in about 45 minutes pairs soaked overnight black-eyed peas, medium, roughly chopped onion, dried shrimp for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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.

Prep: 30 min Cook: 15 min Serves 6 Brazilian cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Drain 2 cups soaked black-eyed peas and blend in a food processor with 1 medium roughly chopped onion, 1 tsp grated ginger root, 1 finely chopped fresh chili pepper, and 1 tsp salt until a smooth, thick batter forms. Set aside.
  2. Step 2: To prepare vatapá paste, combine 1/2 cup bread soaked in coconut milk, 1/4 cup ground peanuts, 1/4 cup shrimp stock, 1 tbsp palm oil, 1 tbsp finely chopped onion, 1 tsp ground coriander, and 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper in a blender; blend until creamy.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 cups palm oil in a deep heavy pot to 350°F. Using wet hands, shape the black-eyed pea batter into small balls about 3 inches in diameter.
  4. Step 4: Fry 3-4 balls at a time for 5-6 minutes until deep golden and crispy outside. Remove and drain on paper towels.
  5. Step 5: Carefully cut each fritter open and stuff with about 2 tbsp of the vatapá paste. Serve immediately while hot.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Deep-Fried Acarajé with Spicy Vatapá Filling 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 Deep-Fried Acarajé with Spicy Vatapá Filling?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep medium, roughly chopped onion from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Deep-Fried Acarajé with Spicy Vatapá Filling?

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 Deep-Fried Acarajé with Spicy Vatapá Filling 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 Deep-Fried Acarajé with Spicy Vatapá Filling?

Brazilian street food 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.

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