Nigerian Moi Moi Steamed Bean Cake

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-24 · Updated 2026-06-24

A savory steamed cake made from blended black-eyed peas, peppers, and onions, yielding a moist, flavorful side dish or snack. This African-inspired vegetarian recipe (gluten free), ready in about 90 minutes, layers black-eyed peas, red bell pepper, scotch bonnet pepper into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 6, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. 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

• 2 cups, peeled and soaked black-eyed peas
• 1 large, chopped red bell pepper
• 1 small, deseeded scotch bonnet pepper
• 1 medium, chopped onion
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 seasoning cube
• to taste salt
• 1 cup water
• 2, sliced (optional) boiled eggs
• for wrapping aluminum foil or moi moi leaves

The bakeware we’d bake this in → Best Bakeware Sets in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Drain and peel 2 cups soaked black-eyed peas by rubbing them between your hands under running water until skins come off; drain well.
2. Step 2: In a blender, combine the peeled black-eyed peas, 1 large chopped red bell pepper, 1 small deseeded scotch bonnet pepper, 1 medium chopped onion, and 1 cup water; blend to a smooth batter.
3. Step 3: Transfer the batter to a bowl, stir in 1/4 cup vegetable oil, 1 seasoning cube crumbled, and salt to taste; mix thoroughly until uniform.
4. Step 4: Prepare small heatproof containers or wrap 1/2 cup portions of the batter in aluminum foil or moi moi leaves, adding a slice of boiled egg inside each for garnish if desired.
5. Step 5: Arrange the wrapped portions in a steamer basket over boiling water, cover, and steam for 50-60 minutes until firm to the touch and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
6. Step 6: Remove from steamer, let cool slightly, then unwrap and serve the moist, flavorful moi moi as a side or snack.