Spiced Peanut and Cassava Street Food Skewers

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

Savory cassava cubes coated in a spicy peanut sauce and grilled to create a flavorful street food snack. This african-inspired street food ready in about 35 minutes pairs peanut butter, smooth, hot water, red chili powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, 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: 25 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 African cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a medium pot of water to boil and add 2 cups peeled and cubed cassava root; cook for 15 minutes until tender but firm. Drain and let cool.
  2. Step 2: In a bowl, whisk 1/4 cup smooth peanut butter with 1/4 cup hot water until smooth and creamy.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp red chili powder, 1/2 tsp ground ginger, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 2 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tbsp lime juice to the peanut sauce until fully combined.
  4. Step 4: Thread the cooked cassava cubes onto 8 wooden skewers evenly.
  5. Step 5: Brush each skewer with 2 tbsp vegetable oil and grill over medium heat for 3-4 minutes per side, basting generously with the peanut sauce until the edges start to char and the sauce thickens.
  6. Step 6: Serve the skewers warm with any remaining peanut sauce for dipping.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Peanut and Cassava Street Food Skewers take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (25 min prep + 10 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 Spiced Peanut and Cassava Street Food Skewers?

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 peanut butter, smooth from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Peanut and Cassava Street Food Skewers?

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 Spiced Peanut and Cassava Street Food Skewers for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Spiced Peanut and Cassava Street Food Skewers?

African 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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