About this Dish
Sweet, fluffy banana fritters, a favorite Zambian breakfast treat.
History & Origin
Vitumbuwa are a beloved Zambian breakfast snack, mashed banana folded into a lightly sweetened batter and deep-fried until golden.
IngredientsServes 2
🍌Ripe bananas, 3 large (mashed)
🌾Plain flour, 1 cup
🥚Egg, 1 large
🥛Milk, 1/2 cup
🍚Sugar, 3 tablespoons
🧂Salt, a pinch
🫙Baking powder, 1 teaspoon
🫒Vegetable oil, for deep frying
🛢️Vegetable oil, for deep frying
Method
1
Mash the ripe bananas thoroughly in a large bowl until smooth with no large lumps — the riper the bananas, the sweeter and more fragrant your vitumbuwa will be.2
Add the egg, milk, and sugar to the mashed banana and stir everything together until well combined.3
Sift in the flour, baking powder, and salt, then gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until you have a thick, smooth batter. Do not overmix — a few small lumps are perfectly fine.4
Heat enough vegetable oil in a deep pan or pot over medium heat. The oil is ready when a small drop of batter sizzles and rises to the surface immediately.5
Using a tablespoon, carefully drop spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil, frying in small batches of 4 to 5 at a time so the oil stays hot and the fritters cook evenly.6
Fry each fritter for about 2 to 3 minutes per side, turning gently with a slotted spoon, until they are deep golden brown all over and cooked through.7
Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Serve warm on their own or with a cup of tea for a classic Zambian breakfast.User Reviews
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