Ghana Chin Chin (Chips) – widely popular fried pastry chips in West Africa with a Ghana twist featuring strong notes of onions, garlic and a little bite from the white pepper. If you’re a sweet tooth like me, add a hint of sugar for an extra tasty and addictive chin-chin.
This is West African Fried Pastry chips. Hands down! My all-time favorite snack. And to tell you the truth, I can never have it around the house for too long. I can eat a bag full of it without ever realizing I have gone overboard. So whenever I make them. I quickly get them out of my house- sometimes.
So, this came as a shocker to me when I was introduced to savory chin chin.
What?
No way! Chin Chin made with no sugar? Who would enjoy that? I eat my words. It definitely has it’s own appeal. They are a lovely treat. There is no turning back for me now.
I now have a stash of these buried somewhere. Shhh, I don’t want hubby to know, he says I am addicted to chin chin.
Do you know what I like about these savory pastry snacks? It does not give me a sugar rush.
If you are from Ghana you get it. This savory variation of chin chin has its roots in Ghana; it features strong notes of onions, garlic and a little bite from the white pepper.
Since I am a sweet tooth gal I took the liberty of adding 2 tablespoons of sugar to the mixture. Which provides a hint of sweetness. Feel free to eliminate sugar from the recipe and please forgive me for including sugar. I feel it adds to the recipe rather than distract from its overall taste.
Enjoy!
Watch How To Make It
Ghana Chin Chin (Chips)
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups (440 grams all-Purpose flour) plus more for dusting and rolling.
- 1 1 /2 teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon white pepper
- 1 teaspoon grated nutmeg
- ½ cup (4 oz. /125grams / 8 tablespoons) butter
- 2-3 garlic cloves minced
- 1/3 cup grated onion
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup (125ml) milk plus more about 2 tablespoons
- 2 tablespoon sugar optional
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- Using a mixer or by hand mix the dry ingredients; flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, nutmeg and white pepper
- Add the butter to the flour and mix well until the butter is well incorporated with the flour.
- Add minced garlic, onions, milk and egg into the mixture. Keep mixing until you have formed a sticky dough ball
- Dump the dough ball onto a floured surface and knead, incorporating more flour into the dough as needed, until the dough is smooth, elastic, and even in color and no longer sticky. Chin-chin can be cut into many shapes and sizes
- Divide dough in half. On a floured board roll each half about 1/6 inches thick. Just like linguine or fettuccine. You can make it easy by using a pasta machine if you have one available. Make shapes as desired.
- Add oil (about 3 inches deep) to a heated skillet/sauce pan or my all time favorite Dutch oven that is over medium heat and bring it to 350 degrees.
- Fry in hot oil until golden. Remove from oil, drain, and serve. You can store this in an airtight container for up to a month.
Nutrition Information:
Esther says
Thank you very much
Dede joyceline says
Wow I love it
Immaculate Bites says
Thank you, Dede joyceline! 🙂
Tosin Soga says
Can’t wait to make mine thank you.
Benedicta Bebe says
Can I pls use frytol oil instead of butter
ImmaculateBites says
It will slightly affect the flavor .
Happiness says
Please where can I get the white pepper
Kaswaswa Mutondo says
I love your recipes. Can’t wait to try it
ImmaculateBites says
Thank you so much, Kaswaswa! Looking forward to your feedback :)!!
Atim Blessing Onoharigho says
I made this last week and I loved it. This is now my best recipe ever for chin chin. Thank you
ImmaculateBites says
Awesome. Glad you love it as much as I do, Blessing :).
Phyllis says
Pls can i use margarine instead of butter?
ImmaculateBites says
Yes, you can 🙂 !
Chimwemwe says
Any alternative for the pasta machine?
Immaculate Bites says
Hi Chimwemwe, you can use a rolling pin to work with the thickness of the dough and then when you’re done, use a knife to cut it.
Keren says
Hey I tried I ..but it too crispy and looks soggy
Wah could be the problem..
imma africanbites says
Hi, I can’t say for sure since I’m not around when you made this, but the culprit could probably be over kneading the dough.
Oluwatoyin Iyaomolere says
Too much butter and eggs can make it soggy. Happened to me a couple of times then I reduced both especially butter.
Angel says
I’m definitely trying this one! You didn’t say how much butter to use though (or I missed it?)
imma africanbites says
It’s 1/2 cup (125 g) of butter. Please see the ingredient list. Can’t wait for you to try it. Enjoy!
Vikki says
Can this be done without egg..or is there a substitute??
ImmaculateBites says
It might alter the recipe . Add 1/4 cup milk to make up for the liquid lost.
Firdows says
You dont have to use eggs. i only use nutmeg powder, minced onion, salt, butter, flour and about half an cup of water. Then fried in oil. Its deliciouuuus im right now eating them.
Grace says
Pls can I use the powdered red pepper if I don’t Hv the white one. I’m in Ghana.
ImmaculateBites says
Leave it out the white pepper. Red pepper will be too overpowering.
Haneefah says
Wow, understanding. Will give it a try.
Thank you very much
Mary says
Hi can you use this for the flat version? It is also a Ghanaian chips Just flat. I’ve looked online but haven’t come across any flat version yet. Thank you
ImmaculateBites says
Yes, you can- roll and cut in to squares.
Victoria says
Nice one Miss… I’m going to try this for sure but I need to know what i’ld add to preserve the chinchin.. Thanks
ImmaculateBites says
I usually store it in an airtight container.
Jemima says
I have tried it but not cranchi.
Amos says
Can you please help me with the quantity of ingredient in grams. I want to prepare it large for my family of 25 ?
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Amos! you have to multiply the recipe by 3 or more , depending on the crowd. Happy Cooking!!!
bolanle Kemi says
Thanks immaculate Bites for sharing this specially spiced recipe, have tried it & it was so yummy. But pls. Can i double the quantity of my baking powder ? to increase the yield & still have a crunchy chin chin? Not too hard but crunchy ?
ImmaculateBites says
I don’t think it’s going to make a whole of lot difference . If you do let me know how it works out for you. Thanks
Racheal says
Thanks for the experience you share immaculate, pls which one is white pepper?
ImmaculateBites says
White pepper is just like black pepper . A little spicy .
Jennifer says
This was a great recipe! My family loved it!
ImmaculateBites says
Awesome! Thanks for the feedback!
AJ says
Please do u have the recipe for the flat version of the chips with bubbles on them.
ImmaculateBites says
Does this recipe have a name? I don’t know which one you are referring to.
Rosemary Adamu says
Great recipe ,my kids really enjoyed it as snacks ❤️
Damilola says
Please ma’am what is the quantity of grated onions needed, it’s is not indicated in the recipe. Thank you so much
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Damilola! It’s listed as 1/3 cup grated onions.
Felicia says
Pls can I have the amount of butter used? Thnks
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Felicia! It’s in the ingredients list- 1/2 cup .
stephanie nortey says
Nice work. Please can I add water to it?
ImmaculateBites says
Yes you can.
Rhoda says
I tried it and it was mmm..yummy
ImmaculateBites says
Awesome! Thanks for letting me know.
Cate says
Hi there i was thinking of upping the spice and adding shredded parmesan or cheddar about a 125g to the mix.
Do you think it would work out.
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Cate ! I can’t say for sure . If you do.. you might want to add a little more water – just so it forms a pliable dough. Do let me know how it works out for you. Thanks
Cate says
Thank you.
Timea says
This is so tasty, espically for Christmas nights! Or evening welcomes!
ImmaculateBites says
It sure is !!
Abimbola says
I just finished making this,and believe imma,its the rave of the moment! Thanks so much for putting this up on your blog,you’ve got a fan for life. Thanks.
ImmaculateBites says
YES! So glad to hear it was a hit with everyone. Thank you so much for taking the time to share this with me.
afiba says
Hello would like to try this but can I bake the chips instead of frying?
Don’t like the oil so much
ImmaculateBites says
You can bake them but it’s going to be tough. Try adding about a 1-2 tablespoons more butter that would help out.
HELINA CHORDS says
HMMMMM i wil try your recipe and let you know hw it is thnks
ImmaculateBites says
Would appreciate any feedback. Thanks.
Renee says
This is really good. My mom does some at home and it is so yummy.
But i would like to know about the machine used to cut the chips
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Renee! I use a pasta maker! It does a good job of cutting the chips
Inaa says
Hi Imma thanks for putting this out. They are just awesome. What kind of pasta machine do you use if you don’t mind can show a picture of it? Thank you.
mum wesley says
Can I do this without egg I was thinking if I add eggs it won’t last for a month
ImmaculateBites says
My chin chin don’t last that long because I am addicted to it. So can’t say for sure. I have kept chin chin made with eggs for 2 weeks .
Liz says
Thank you so much
Liz says
Looking for your other chinchin recipe, I cannot find it!! Help. 🙂
ImmaculateBites says
Here you go Liz http://africanbites.com/?p=104
Liz says
Great recipe!! My friends from India and Pakistan make something similar and add cumin seed, really really nice. Just flour, oil, salt, cumin seed, a little water and is deep fried. Do not have the measurements, but is really good. Will add cumin to this and see!!
Tasha says
These savory chin chin was surprising quite good
Odoom Victoria says
Im so proud to see Ghana’s chip im trying it right now for my friends to enjoy.well done.
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks Victoria. Let me know how it works for you.
Love Chin Chin says
We’ve experimented with savoury before too…it’s certainly a nice slant! Nice!!
linda says
grt.tnx
linda says
great recipe..do I need to sieve the blended onions and garlic ….
can one add cubes as well
ImmaculateBites says
No, you do not need to – you have to cut back on the salt intake if you want to include cubes
naa says
I am soo making this. Never had any consistent recipe. Thanks so much Miss Immaculate. Made the oven baked jollof by the way and am never going back to stove top . It’s just delish!
ImmaculateBites says
I hear you Naa. Glad to hear it was a hit with you. Thanks for the feedback!
ROSE says
thank boo,will def. try it dear but please can u update me with Cameroon salad and ( especially)cream please
ImmaculateBites says
It has been a while since I made that cream. Will work on it.
Juliette says
Hi Immaculate, thank u so much for this recipe. Will definitely try it. Can you share the name of the machine you slide your dough through to cut it? Looks like a pasta machine…
ImmaculateBites says
Juliette, it is a pasta machine. Any brand would do just fine.
Adeala Olueaseun says
Thanks a lot.though hv not try it bt I’ll get back to u when I do!
ImmaculateBites says
Awesome! Can’t wait for your feedback!
Mekia says
Love chin chin… I share your love for this African snack. I will definitely try this ones . Thanks for providing us with the best from Africa.
Phresh says
You make wonderful foods immaculate keep it up.