Moi Moi Recipe | How To Make Beans Pudding In Nigeria

Have you ever met a Nigerian child who refuses almost everything but smiles when Moi Moi appears on the table? I once watched my niece push her rice aside, shake her head at chicken, and pout at the salad. Yet when the Moi Moi came out, she grabbed it with both hands like treasure. That is the magic of this beans pudding. Moi Moi Recipe | How to Make Beans Pudding in Nigeria is more than a kitchen guide.

It is a journey into a dish that has graced family dinners, weddings, and Sunday feasts.step by step moi moi cooking tutorial Nigerian style

What is Moi Moi?

Moi moi ,  sometimes referred as Moin-Moin is a popular side dish made from beans pudding. Nigerians treasure Moi Moi as a soft, savory beans pudding with deep cultural roots. It  tastes comforting, feels celebratory, and carries tradition in every bite.

Moi moi can be prepared with all kinds of beans but the best beans for moi moi is the popular tiny beans also known as the “Moi Moi Beans” in Nigeria.

Nigerians prefer this beans  since it cook fast, peel easily, and give the pudding its soft texture. When you use these beans, the batter turns creamy, and the Moi Moi comes out firm yet tender.

Nutritional components of Moi Moi

Moi Moi is not just delicious; it is a nutrition-packed dish that fuels the body with goodness.

• Made from beans, it supplies plant protein that builds and repairs the body. The proteins also keep you full longer, so you avoid unnecessary snacking.
• This pudding contains fiber that supports digestion, and the fiber also helps regulate blood sugar levels.
• The peppers and onions add antioxidants, and these protect the body from harmful free radicals.
• Oil enriches it with vitamins and fatty acids.
• Eggs or fish bring extra protein and healthy fats.
• Even better, Moi Moi is steamed, not fried, which makes it lighter and heart-friendly. It is nourishing yet easy to digest, so both kids and adults enjoy it without worry.

One serving delivers energy, vitamins, and minerals, and every spoonful tastes like comfort.

Regional and Taste Variations

Moi Moi is flexible, and Nigerians love to make it their own.

Some regions prefer palm oil for its earthy depth, while others use vegetable oil for a lighter pudding. Some cooks mix in prawns, while others stick with boiled eggs. I prefer also to add raw egg to my batter to make the pudding richer.

You can also steam Moi Moi in banana leaves for an authentic touch, or use foil for convenience. When these are out of reach, some resort to the use of friendly nylon materials and pouches. Either way, the taste remains comforting, nourishing, and unforgettable.

Ingredients for Making Nigerian Beans Pudding | Moi Moi Recipe

Serving: 9

Total Cooking time : 50 minutes

Beans : 5 cups

Cayenne Pepper (Tatashi): 10 pieces

Onions : 3 medium sized bulbs

Vegetable oil: 1 cup

Salt: To taste

Ginger: I small root or 1/2 teaspoon

Garlic:1/2 teaspoon

Curry powder: 1 teaspoon

seasoning: 3 seasoning cubes

2 Large Eggs

Chicken breasts : 1/4 kilo

Steps in Making Delicious Nigeria Beans Pudding | Moi Moi

Step 1: Ingredients Preparations “Moi Moi Recipe | How To Make Beans Pudding In Nigeria

• Wash your Cayenne pepper (Tatashi) and the onions bulb and blend smoothly.
• Fry the blended mixture in vegetable oil till it simmers well
• Properly season your proteins (chicken, beef or fish) and cook till done.
• Debone your proteins and cut them into tiny pieces and set aside.

Step 2: Washing and grinding  of Beans for Nigerian Beans Pudding

Note: Below this write up is a detailed Video  on how to properly wash your beans in 5 minutes or less.

• Start from picking the beans to properly remove chaffs

• Wash thoroughly in clean water .

• Here is where the magic lies: now the beans are wet and the coats are loosing their grip, pour into food processor or use mortar and pestle and pound or roughly process. The aim is to make sure that the beans loose grip of their seed coat completely without breaking too much.

• Pour the whole roughly processed beans into a bowl

• Add water to fully immerse the beans with loosened beans coat floating above
• Carefully swirl clockwise  while squeezing gently with your hand and sieve the seedcoat out.
• Repeat the process again and again  until all the seed coats are completely removed and you   have a well washed beans.

• Transfer into a blender and blend smoothly

Watch the video here: Washing beans for Moi Moi

Step 3 : Cooking of Nigeria Beans Pudding | Moi Moi

• In a clean Bowl, pour the smoothly blended bean paste.

• Add simmered blended mixture of onions and cayenne pepper (Tatashe).

• Turn properly until the mixture is properly combined.
• Add sliced protein (Chicken, beef, fish) and meat stock if available and mix properly.

• Add raw eggs and combine with the mixer.

• Add your garlic powder

• Add ginger powder

• Add salt to the beans batter to taste
• Add your seasoning cubes and combine all thoroughly

• Adjust the consistency of the paste with luke warm water .
• Scoop into your cooking wares (Leaves, Foils , Nylons, Plates, Pouches).

• In an already Boiling water ,shake each well tied Moi Moi paste and drop into the water
• After 45 minutes, use a kitchen knife and dig deep into the cooked Moi Moi and withdraw from the Moi moi. Once the knife is clear devoid of remnants from the paste, the Moi Moi is ready.

Cooking Time :The cooking time depends on the specie of beans used in the preparation. The average cooking time for Nigerian Moi Moi is 45 minutes on a steady lighted source.

Oven-Baked Moi Moi vs Steamed Moi Moi

Moi Moi is flexible, and Nigerians prepare it in two popular ways. You can steam it the traditional way, or bake it in the oven. Both styles deliver delicious beans pudding, but each has its own charm.

Steamed Nigerian Moi Moi | Beans Pudding

Steamed Moi Moi is the classic. It cooks in banana leaves, bowls, Nylons, Pouches and  foil, and the texture turns silky. The leaves add aroma, and the steam locks in natural flavor. It feels soft, light, and deeply authentic. Traditional feasts and family events often prefer this method because it carries nostalgia.

Oven-Baked Moi Moi | Beans Pudding

On the other hand, oven-baked Moi Moi feels modern and practical. It cooks faster in large trays, and the top forms a golden crust. The texture is firmer, and it slices neatly, almost like a pudding cake. Busy families and caterers love it because it saves time.

Which is Better?  Oven- Baked or Steamed Moi Moi

Both methods have unique strengths. Steamed Moi Moi celebrates culture, while baked Moi Moi favors convenience. Either way, the taste remains rich, nourishing, and satisfying. Ultimately, your choice depends on mood, time, and occasion.

Tips for Making the Perfect Moi Moi

1. Blend your batter to be smooth to avoid forming lumps.
2. Add all the liquid ingredients like beef stock and raw eggs to maintain consistency .
3. Add water bit by bit to avoid watery paste.
4. Check the  water level (if you are steaming ) from time to time to avoid it getting burnt.
5. In case you are using plates, make sure to rub oil inside the plates before scooping the batter .It will make the moi moi less sticky to the plates.
6. Balance your seasoning well.
7. Finally, keep Moi Moi firm yet soft by balancing oil, water, and cooking time.

The texture should hold shape, yet melt in your mouth.

Storage of Nigerian Moi Moi | Beans Pudding

For moi moi to stay fresh, store in air tight containers in the refrigerator of freezer. It can last up to 5 days in the refrigerator and 14 days in the freezer.

For freezer-stored Moi moi, allow it to completely thaw on its own before steaming for consumption. That way, the consistency and the taste is maintained.

Using Microwave also is a good way to reheat a store Nigerian Moi Moi | Beans pudding as it also helps to trap the moisture. While using microwave for heating, set a short time to avoid the food from loosing moisture and taste.

Serving Suggestions of Nigerian Beans Pudding | Moi Moi

Moi Moi shines in many pairings, and it always finds its place at the Nigerian table. To begin with, serve it with jollof rice at parties, because the soft pudding balances the spicy rice perfectly. In addition, you can pair it with fried rice, and the rich mix of flavors makes the meal feel even more festive.

Moreover, Moi Moi works beautifully with pap (akamu) at breakfast, since the combo feels light yet filling. Alternatively, slide it into soft bread as a snack, and you get a quick, tasty bite on busy days.

At the same time, Moi Moi fits into big events like weddings and birthdays, where it acts as a star side dish. However, it also works as a light standalone meal when you crave comfort without too much effort. In the end, no matter how you serve it, Moi Moi always delivers flavor, warmth, and satisfaction.

Here is the complete Video of Moi Moi Recipe | How To Make Beans Pudding In Nigeria