guineandinner
Foutou Banane
Pounded plantain dumplings — Guinea's softer, sweeter cousin to fufu.
Prep
10 min
Cook
25 min
Servings
4
Difficulty
Easy
★★★★★
4.6(560 ratings)#plantain#staple#gluten-free#guinean
About This Recipe
Foutou Banane is made from ripe plantains that are boiled and pounded until gloriously smooth and slightly sweet. Popular across Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire, it forms a softer, stickier alternative to yam fufu and pairs beautifully with palm nut soup (sauce graine) or groundnut stew.
Ingredients
Serves 4
- 4 largeripe plantains (yellow/black-spotted), peeled and chunked
- 1/2 tspsalt
- waterfor boiling
Instructions
- 1
Boil plantains
Boil plantain chunks in salted water for 20 minutes until very soft. Drain well.
- 2
Pound
Transfer to a mortar and pound energetically, adding small amounts of warm water, until very smooth and stretchy.
- 3
Shape
With wet hands, shape into smooth balls.
- 4
Serve
Serve immediately with sauce graine or groundnut stew.
Pro Tips
- →
Use very ripe plantains with lots of black spots — they pound smoother and taste sweeter.
- →
Pound while hot for the best texture.
Variations
- •
Mix half plantain with half cassava for a hybrid foutou.
- •
Add a little palm oil while pounding for a richer flavour.
Storage
Best eaten fresh. Wrap in cling film and refrigerate up to 2 days; steam to reheat.
History & Origin
Plantain cultivation spread across West Africa from Southeast Asia via Arabia centuries ago, and pounded plantain dishes became staples wherever plantains grew abundantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use green plantains?
Ripe (yellow/black) plantains are preferred; green plantains are starchier and less sweet, resulting in a firmer, less smooth foutou.
Is foutou the same as fufu?
They are similar in concept but differ in base ingredient — fufu uses yam or cassava, while foutou uses plantain.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (200g) · 4 servings total
Calories210kcal
Protein2g
Carbohydrates52g
Fat1g
Fiber4g
Protein2g
Carbs52g
Fat1g
Time Summary
Prep time10 min
Cook time25 min
Total time35 min
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