The basin is covered with a cloth, and when the seller lifts it, the smell of fried dough escapes. Inside are golden balls, soft and slightly sweet, still warm. Bofrot, sometimes spelt boflot, is one of Ghana’s most popular snacks. Eaten with a cup of Hausa koko in the morning, with tea in the afternoon or on its own, it is cheap, filling and loved by children and adults alike.
Bofrot, puff-puff and koko
Bofrot is made from a simple dough of flour, sugar, yeast and water, sometimes with nutmeg. The dough is left to rise, then dropped into hot oil and fried until golden. In Nigeria and Cameroon, similar fried dough balls are called puff-puff. Variations are found across West and Central Africa. Bofrot is a classic partner for Hausa koko, the spicy millet porridge. The sweetness of the dough balances the spice.
Bofrot appears at parties and events, often alongside other small chops.
Buying, making and selling it
Vendors sell bofrot from basins and glass cases at roadsides, markets, schools and lorry stations. The dough needs time to rise. Cooks use their hands or a spoon to drop balls into the oil. Good bofrot is soft and fluffy inside, with a lightly crisp outside. Some cooks add milk, eggs or spices for richer flavour.
Frying and selling bofrot is a common small business, especially for women. As a fried and sweet snack, it is best eaten in moderation. Many Ghanaians remember buying bofrot during school break times. Ghanaian communities abroad make bofrot for parties and gatherings.
Sizes, toppings and breakfast
Bofrot comes in different sizes, from small bite-sized balls to large ones the size of a fist. Some sellers shape the dough by hand, while others use a spoon to drop uneven pieces into the oil, giving each batch its own character. Some modern bakeries sell bofrot dusted with sugar or filled with jam or chocolate.
A few bofrot and a cup of koko is one of the cheapest breakfasts in Accra. Bofrot has no famous chef and no fancy recipe. It is the snack that waits in a covered basin on the corner, and most Ghanaians can remember the first one they bought with their own coins.
