African swallow is the everyday Nigerian word for a soft, smooth dough that you pinch off by hand and dip into soup. If you grew up in a Nigerian, Ghanaian or wider West African household, it is Sunday afternoon and the soup on the table. This guide covers what African swallow is, the main types, which flour makes each one, and how to get it smooth every time.
What Is African Swallow?
African swallow is a family of foods, not one dish. Each is made from a starchy staple, such as cassava, yam, plantain, maize or wheat semolina, stirred or pounded into a smooth dough and eaten with soup. Fufu is one type of swallow. Pounded yam, amala, eba, semo and maize meal swallow are others.
The Main Types of African Swallow, and Which Flour to Use
1. Fresh Cassava Fufu (Akpu)
Made from fermented cassava, it is the closest to home-made fufu. We stock it ready to cook: Fresh Fufu (Akpu), in a pack of 5 or a box of 25 for bulk and catering.
2. Cassava Flour (Lafun)
Dried, milled cassava. It is the easiest option for UK kitchens because it stores well and mixes in minutes. Try 3SIEE Cassava Flour (Lafun) | Smooth Fufu Flour, available from 2.5kg up to 20kg.
3. Plantain Fufu
A lighter, slightly sweet alternative. Africa's Finest Plantain Fufu Dough Mix is a good place to start. Check the pack for allergen and gluten information.
4. Pounded Yam (Poundo Yam)
Made from dried, milled yam. Smooth, firm and the closest match to hand-pounded yam. We carry Ayoola Poundo Yam, Olu Olu Poundo Yam and Ola-Ola Pounded Yam.
5. Amala
A darker, softer swallow, traditionally made from yam flour or from cassava flour. For yam amala, use Yam Flour (Elubo Isu), available from 2.5kg to 20kg.
6. Semolina and Semovita
A firmer, glossier swallow that holds its shape in soup. These are made from wheat, so they are not gluten-free. See Golden Penny Semovita, Honeywell Semolina and Mama Gold Semolina.
7. Maize Meal
Popular across West and Southern Africa. Try Iwisa Super Maize Meal or White Pearl Cornmeal. Check the pack for the manufacturer's allergen and cross-contamination statement.
8. Eba (Garri)
Eba is made by stirring garri, toasted granulated cassava, into hot water. It is a little firmer and quicker than most swallows. We stock 3SIEE Yellow Garri and 3SIEE Garri Ijebu.
How to Choose the Right African Swallow
Not sure where to start with African swallow? Match the type to what matters most to you.
- Closest to home-made: fresh fufu (akpu) or pounded yam flour.
- Quickest on a busy night: garri for eba, or pounded yam flour. Both mix in minutes.
- Firm and glossy: semolina or semovita. They hold their shape well in soup.
- Cooking for a crowd: the flour sacks go up to 20kg, and fresh fufu comes in a box of 25. Ask about our Trade Club for caterers, churches and restaurants.
- Avoiding gluten: cassava, yam and plantain flours are made without wheat. Semolina and semovita are wheat, so leave those out. Check every pack for allergen information.
How to Make African Swallow From Flour (Basic Method)
- Boil water in a non-stick pot.
- Sprinkle in the flour gradually, stirring all the time with a wooden turning stick or a sturdy spatula to avoid lumps.
- Keep stirring and folding over low to medium heat until the dough turns smooth, glossy and stretchy.
- Wet your hands or the spatula lightly and shape it into smooth balls.
- Serve warm, with your soup.
Flours differ in water ratio and cooking time, so follow the instructions on the pack. Fresh fufu (akpu) needs no mixing. Steam or boil it as the pack says, then shape and serve.
What to Serve African Swallow With
African swallow is a vehicle for soup. Egusi, ogbono, efo riro, okra and banga are the classic pairings.
Start with Ground Egusi, or skip the cooking with a ready-made Assorted Efo Riro Soup. Browse our seasonings and spices in the same order, and see more African food guides.
Get Started in One Click
Want pounded yam and egusi soup tonight? This adds Ayoola Poundo Yam (1.8kg) and Ground Egusi to your cart. Add your meat, fish and vegetables from our frozen range and fresh vegetables before you check out.
Add pounded yam and egusi to cart
Storage Tips
- Dried flours keep best in a cool, dry, airtight container. Check the best-before date on the pack.
- Fresh fufu (akpu) needs refrigeration or freezing. Follow the storage instructions on the pack.
- Made-up African swallow is best eaten fresh. If you keep leftovers, wrap and refrigerate them, and reheat until piping hot. For general food safety, see the Food Standards Agency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is fufu the same as African swallow?
No. Swallow is the wider family. Fufu is one type, alongside pounded yam, amala, eba, semo and maize meal swallow.
Is African swallow gluten-free?
It depends on the flour. Cassava, yam, plantain and maize flours are made from gluten-free ingredients. Semolina and semovita are made from wheat and are not. Always check the pack for allergen and cross-contamination information.
What is the difference between fufu and eba?
Fufu is made from fermented cassava, either fresh or dried into flour. Eba is made from garri, toasted granulated cassava. Eba tends to be firmer and quicker to make.
Which African swallow is easiest for beginners?
Pounded yam flour and garri (for eba) are the most forgiving. Both mix quickly and give a smooth result with a little practice.
Picked your flour? Order it today and it arrives ready for Sunday's pot. Check our delivery information for timing, or browse the full Flour and Swallow range to compare every option side by side.
