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Home / Courses / Snacks

African Fish Roll (Fish Pie)

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Author: Imma Published:6/03/2013Updated:4/02/2021
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African Fish Roll (Fish pie) — a popular West African street food – specifically in Cameroon, Nigeria and Ghana that is made with some sort of shortcut pastry filled with sardines and spices. These fried fish pies are crunchy, slightly sweet, spicy and oh so good!!

African fish roll

Over the years I have tried several times to make African fish pie or fish roll, as it’s commonly called in Cameroon, but was extremely disappointed at the results. Then, one of my aunts said casually,  “Well, it is just puff-puff mixture with butter and  sardines” and it hit me “Duh! That’s it! I decided to try my hand again at this recipe and after several disastrous results I came up with one am proud to share.

An African fish pie is a popular West African streetfood – specifically in Cameroon, Nigeria and Ghana that is made with some sort of shortcut pastry fill with sardines and spices. In Cameroon, it is rolled up, while in other countries it is made in the shape of meat pie (empanadas).

African fish roll

These tasty snacks are deep fried not baked; however for a healthy version you can bake them. The baked version would taste slightly different from the deep fried version. To be honest…there is no comparison, fried fish pie is crunchy, slightly sweet, spicy and oh so good.

African Fish roll

It is really all the rage for adults and kids, who would hurriedly leave school, in an attempt to get a piece from the ladies selling it, at the entrance of the school. It is more convenient to buy from the street vendors than make it at home in Africa.

Maybe because it is looked down as “poor man’s” snack. Meat pies are the “rich man‘s version. Africans living abroad would classify it as a” MUST EAT” at parties – it flies off the table.

This version of fish pie is made with canned sardines in tomato chilli sauce , slowly simmered with onions and a little bit of curry until all the liquid has evaporated. Then the mixture is folded in the pastry and deep fried until golden brown.

It is somewhat tedious to make, but is worth it at the end. Do make it!!!

Watch How to Make It

[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”57eLyNuh” upload-date=”Tue Aug 07 2018 11:48:32 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)” name=”African Fish Roll (Fish pie)” description=”African Fish Roll (Fish pie) — a popular West African street food – specifically in Cameroon,Nigeria and Ghana that is made with some sort of shortcut pastry  filled with sardines and spices. These fried fish pies are  crunchy, slightly sweet, spicy and oh so good!!”] >

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African Fish Roll (Fish Pie)
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African Fish Roll (Fish Pie)

African Fish Roll(Fish pie) -- a popular West African street food – specifically in Cameroon,Nigeria and Ghana that is made with some sort of shortcut pastry  filled with sardines and spices. These fried fish pies are  crunchy, slightly sweet, spicy and oh so good!!
4.65 from 31 votes
Prep: 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins
Cook: 20 minutes mins
Total: 1 hour hr 40 minutes mins
African
Servings 17 -20 rolls

Ingredients

Filling

  • 1 can sardines in chili tomato sauce 15oz or 425gram
  • ½ medium onion chopped
  • ½ teaspoon parsley
  • ¼ teaspoon curry powder

Dough

  • 1 cup plus 2 tablespoon water
  • 1¼ teaspoon yeast
  • 2 ½ tablespoons or 30grams sugar
  • ½ tablespoon salt
  • 4 cups or 500grams flour All Purpose Flour
  • 5 oz or 142g unsalted butter margarine

Instructions

  • Drain half of the tomato sauce from the mackerel and place in a medium sauce pan. Then add the onions, curry powder and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes until almost all the liquid has evaporated , add parsley . Stir and simmer for about 2 more minutes. Set aside and let it cool.
  • In a large bowl add the warm water, and yeast. Set aside for 5 minutes
  • Using a stand mixer or by hand, mix the flour, sugar, salt, then add margarine, mix well until the ingredients have been fully incorporated.
  • Then add the yeast mixture to the flour mixture and mix for about a minute
  • Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead it just until all the flour is incorporated and the dough is smooth
  • Cover and let it sit for 30 to 45 minutes.
  • Divide dough into 1 -2 ounce each- you will have about 25 -35 each depending on the weight.
  • On a lightly floured work surface, using a rolling pin, roll out the each 2 ounce dough until ½” larger in diameter.
  • Then place a teaspoon of fish mixture and roll it up. Repeat the process. Set aside the fish pie
  • Heat up a large skillet or cast iron with oil up to ½ inch- medium-high heat (375) until hot but not smoking.
  • Scoop up the batter with a spoon preferably and fry in batches, turning once, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Do not overcrowd the pan (it will absorb excess oil, resulting in a soggy fish pies)
  • Using a slotted spoon, remove the fish pie and place them on paper towels.
  • Serve warm or at room temperature.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 174kcal (9%)| Carbohydrates: 23g (8%)| Protein: 5g (10%)| Fat: 6g (9%)| Saturated Fat: 3g (19%)| Cholesterol: 24mg (8%)| Sodium: 244mg (11%)| Potassium: 73mg (2%)| Fiber: 1g (4%)| Vitamin A: 175IU (4%)| Vitamin C: 0.2mg| Calcium: 35mg (4%)| Iron: 1.6mg (9%)
Author: Imma
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: African
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Nutrition Facts
African Fish Roll (Fish Pie)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 174 Calories from Fat 54
% Daily Value*
Fat 6g9%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Cholesterol 24mg8%
Sodium 244mg11%
Potassium 73mg2%
Carbohydrates 23g8%
Fiber 1g4%
Protein 5g10%
Vitamin A 175IU4%
Vitamin C 0.2mg0%
Calcium 35mg4%
Iron 1.6mg9%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 

African Fish Roll (Fish Pie)

African Fish Roll (Fish Pie)

African Fish Roll (Fish Pie)

African Fish Roll (Fish Pie)

African Fish Roll (Fish Pie)

African Fish Roll (Fish Pie)

African Fish Roll (Fish Pie)

African Fish Roll (Fish Pie)

African Fish Roll (Fish Pie)

African Fish Roll (Fish Pie)

African Fish Roll (Fish Pie)

African Fish Roll (Fish Pie)

African Fish Roll (Fish Pie)

African Fish Roll (Fish Pie)

African Fish Roll (Fish Pie)

African Fish Roll (Fish Pie)

African Fish Pie- You can't say no to these Crispy crunchy Fried Rolls fill with a surprise.

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Comments & Reviews
  1. Etienna says

    Posted on 11/24 at 6:41AM

    5 stars
    wow , amazing recipe. I have a question though, I used margarine once to make meat pie dough . I fried it and it didn’t taste good at all! It tasted like it was too buttery, oilyand the dough was too crispy. Do u think it’s cuz I might have put too much margarine,? I’m afraid of trying it with this recipe because of what happened last time

    Reply
  2. Luda says

    Posted on 8/21 at 12:24PM

    Please my pie always opens when placed in the oil,what should I do?

    Reply
    • ImmaculateBites says

      Posted on 8/23 at 6:20AM

      I can’t say for sure without actually being . Your best bet would be to seal it with flour paste, like in the video

      Reply
    • Stephanie says

      Posted on 6/9 at 1:41PM

      Crack an egg, beat it, then seal the fish roll with it.. it helps! Also fry it on medium to low heat. If the oil is too hot, it will open

      Reply
  3. Eva says

    Posted on 8/20 at 6:33AM

    Thanks…what difference will it make if i use vegetables oil instead of butter, secondly, can I only yeast or yeast plus baking powder….thanks…I wish to start a fish pie business

    Reply
    • ImmaculateBites says

      Posted on 8/23 at 6:25AM

      Hi Eva,
      Butter is much flavorful than oil. You can use yeast or baking powder or both you would have to play with the the dough to get the correct amount for the pie dough.

      Reply
  4. Etornam Precious says

    Posted on 8/9 at 10:14AM

    Thanks so much for the teachings, God richly bless you in fact i just fell in love with it and trust me, am going to practice it and bring you updates. Please can you from your contact so that in case of anything I get in touch with you?….Please

    Reply
  5. Stella Njaka says

    Posted on 7/6 at 2:15AM

    Your recipes are really wonderful. thanks for the good work

    Reply
  6. Jamesetta says

    Posted on 6/20 at 7:50PM

    I would like to see more African recipes

    Reply
    • Chinwe osondu says

      Posted on 9/17 at 8:32AM

      You too much dear i love your baking

      Reply
  7. Alicia says

    Posted on 6/9 at 12:32AM

    Thank you!

    Reply
  8. Peter says

    Posted on 5/20 at 8:44PM

    I love this food are there some more

    Reply
  9. Etienna says

    Posted on 4/30 at 11:41AM

    Hello,
    Stumbled upon your recipe and I’m excited to try it out. I have a problem with how I make my dough though. Whenever I make dough for meat pie or fish pie, it always comes out strong. What are some tips I can use to make my dough very soft when fried or baked?
    Thanks

    Reply
    • ImmaculateBites says

      Posted on 5/2 at 5:28AM

      Hi Etienna,
      Have you tried this recipe? it comes out really tender.

      Reply
  10. Faith says

    Posted on 1/24 at 5:07AM

    Thanks a lot for this piece, it makes learning a lot much easier.

    A quick question
    is it necessary to fry, can I also bake the fish pie in an oven?

    Reply
    • imma africanbites says

      Posted on 1/24 at 2:31PM

      Yes, you may bake it in the oven.

      Reply
  11. Therese says

    Posted on 4/29 at 6:15PM

    5 stars
    Quick question, can l bake it instead of frying? If so for how long and what temperature?
    Can’t wait to try this, yum!!

    Reply
    • Salim says

      Posted on 8/18 at 3:00AM

      5 stars
      Hello,please how many days long will it take a well fried fish roll to go bad at room temperature ?

      Reply
      • ImmaculateBites says

        Posted on 8/19 at 6:37PM

        It’s best eaten within 24 hours . You may refrigerate or freeze and reheat before serving.

  12. Kelsey says

    Posted on 4/15 at 10:03AM

    Please help needed ASAP. I removed the roll from the freezer, it’s been 2 .5 hrs now. When I try to fry it, it forms little bubbles on the pie . Do you know what the problem might be and how to fix it. Thank u so much in advance

    Reply
    • ImmaculateBites says

      Posted on 4/15 at 12:14PM

      A little too late , been out all day. I think 2.5 was a bit much . I would let it refrigerate again before frying .

      Reply
      • Kelsey says

        Posted on 4/15 at 11:46PM

        No problem , thank you. I did refrigerate again and it got better.

  13. Kelsey says

    Posted on 4/8 at 5:46AM

    How many gram is a cup for this recipe. I have been guessing all along even though it worked out. Because I noticed our cup sizes are different. The reason given measurements in grams is ideal.

    Reply
    • Kelsey says

      Posted on 4/8 at 5:54AM

      Just realized recipe was updated to grams also. Thanks

      Reply
  14. Kelsey says

    Posted on 4/7 at 8:12PM

    5 stars
    Hi hope you are doing great.
    I just want to find out if I can roll out the dough, keep in the fridge and fry the next day. Will that work out. Thanks a lot

    Reply
    • ImmaculateBites says

      Posted on 4/7 at 8:30PM

      Yes, it would work. I make large quantities and then freeze. When am ready to fry, remove from the freezer , let it sit outside for a couple of hours before frying . Hope this helps

      Reply
      • Kelsey says

        Posted on 4/7 at 9:31PM

        5 stars
        Thanks for the quick reply. I don’t want to freeze. I just want to refrigerate and fry the next day. How long should I leave at room temperature before frying?

      • ImmaculateBites says

        Posted on 4/7 at 9:57PM

        About an hour , also frying without bringing to room temperature works as well. If the dough has not been frozen.

      • Kelsey says

        Posted on 4/7 at 10:56PM

        Thank you!

  15. Ifunanya says

    Posted on 1/11 at 12:05PM

    Thanks I was able to do the chin chin with the recipe you gave it came out well.

    Reply
    • ImmaculateBites says

      Posted on 1/12 at 6:30AM

      Great! Thanks for the feedback!

      Reply
      • Lysette says

        Posted on 4/9 at 12:56PM

        I will try this for sure, in my country we call that pilipili.. thanks for everything.
        I try the puf puff and it was so good.

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