Being vegan or vegetarian is often about more than food; it translates into a lifestyle as well. But since we are all about food, that’s what we will be talking about today.

Several restaurants in Lagos specialise in both vegan and vegetarian meals, but also, a few other places have unique dishes for individuals who do not eat animal produce/meat. For instance, Vanilla moon has a Beyond Meat burger. Cafeteria’s new extended menu has a few vegetarian and vegan options and even Hans and Rene, a popular gelato spot, has vegan vanilla gelato, amongst others.

But as adulthood is often punctuated with reminding oneself that there is food at home, here are a few Nigerian snacks that are inexpensive, but also vegan and vegetarian-friendly:

Plantain Chips

Image from Grain Changer

Plantain chips are usually made from unripe plantains, but a few recipes use ripe plantains. All you need is your plantains, spices like dried pepper and salt, and an air of deep fryer. Baking is also an option in creating plantain chips. It’s also really cheap if you don’t like cutting into unripe plantains- it can be messy. It is also quite a popular snack in Lagos traffic as well. 

Corn

Image from Nutrition Studies

Corn is one of my absolute favourites and is so versatile. Outside of all the other meals that can be derived from it, corn can also be eaten straight from the cob. It can either be roasted or boiled. Corn is usually accompanied with coconut or pears. Absolutely delicious, and 100% vegan.

Boli

Image from Pinterest

I keep coming back to plantain because, like corn, it is versatile and delicious. One of the various ways in which plantain can be enjoyed is as boli- roasted. You also don’t have to visit a roadside vendor to get boli. Just get you beautiful ripe plantains, add little cuts on it, and use your grill or oven to achieve the boli effect. This tasty snack can be enjoyed with groundnuts as a vegan/vegetarian-friendly option.

Abacha (African Salad)

Image from Nigerian Lazy Chef

A speciality of the people of the Eastern parts of Nigeria, namely the Igbos, Abacha is typically made with fish and bullion cubes, but its foundation is vegan-friendly. It is made with Utazi (Gongronema latifolium) leaves and strips of cassava. The fish can be substituted with something else. 

Akara/Moi-Moi

Image from Pinterest

Akara and Moi-Moi- are both children of the protein- beans. Made from batter made with beans and spices, the significant difference between the two is that one is steamed while the other is fried. Moi-Moi is healthier- being the steamed version, but eggs and fish are usually added to it, so it’s more pescatarian/vegetarian friendly. However, you can forgo fish and eggs. Moi-Moi is tasty without any of it.

Puff-puff

Image from My Active Kitchen

Puff-puff is fried dough, but it is tasty and vegan friendly. It is also straightforward to make. 

Nigerian food is generally healthy. Outside of all the oil and frying, removing red or white meat from a lot of meals and replacing them with pescatarian options or vegan-friendly options works.

What are some of your favourite vegan/vegetarian-friendly Nigerian snacks? Share with us!

Remember to subscribe to our newsletter and be part of our mailing list here and subscribe to the Youtube channel and banter with me on Twitter and  Instagram