Ablo are soft, pillowy steamed cakes made from fermented rice or corn batter, a speciality of Togo's coastal Ewe and Mina communities. Their slightly sour, yeasty flavour and airy texture make them a perfect companion to spicy fish soups and grilled meats, or eaten on their own as a snack.
Serves 8
Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water; leave 5 minutes until frothy.
Combine rice flour and salt; stir in yeast mixture to form a smooth, pourable batter. Rest 15 minutes.
Pour batter into oiled small cups or moulds. Steam over boiling water for 15–20 minutes until firm and a skewer comes out clean.
Cool slightly, unmould, and serve warm alongside soup or stew.
Oil the moulds generously so the cakes release cleanly.
Batter consistency should be similar to a thick crêpe batter.
Taste and adjust salt at the very end — flavors concentrate as liquids reduce, and a final pinch of flaky salt sharpens the whole dish.
Mise en place pays for itself: chop, measure and pre-mix everything before the heat goes on, especially for any step that moves fast.
Use corn flour instead of rice flour for a denser, more rustic ablo.
Add finely ground dried shrimp to the batter for a savoury version.
Vegetarian: swap the protein for roasted king oyster mushrooms, smoked tofu or cooked chickpeas — adjust seasoning slightly upward to compensate.
Spicier: add a finely chopped fresh chile or a teaspoon of crushed Aleppo/Urfa pepper to the aromatics for warm, layered heat instead of a single sharp hit.
Store cooled ablo in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 day, or refrigerate up to 3 days. Steam briefly to reheat.
Ablo originate with the Ewe people of coastal Togo and Benin and are an ancient fermented grain food that predates written records in the region.
Yes, a well-oiled muffin tin placed in a steamer basket works perfectly.
Check that yeast is fresh and water is warm (not hot), which would kill the yeast.
Yes — most of the components can be prepared up to a day in advance and refrigerated separately. Reheat gently and assemble just before serving so textures stay distinct.
Stay close to the role each ingredient plays: swap aromatics for similar ones (shallot for onion, lime for lemon), and keep the fat-acid-salt balance intact. Spice blends can usually be approximated with what's in the cupboard.
Per serving (80g / 2.8 oz) · 8 servings total
Ask our AI cooking assistant anything about this recipe — substitutions, techniques, scaling.
Chat with AI Chef →Join the conversation
Sign in to leave a comment and save your favourite recipes
Have feedback or need help?
We read every email and reply within 1–2 business days.
© 2026 MyCookingCalendar. All rights reserved.
