Last Updated on June 22, 2023 by Chef Mireille
Breadfruit Puffs
Breadfruit, although a fruit that grows on a tree, must be cooked prior to eating. It is extremely popular throughout Southeast Asia & the Caribbean.
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Have you ever tasted breadfruit? It is now becoming more available in American supermarkets. I have even seen it at Whole Foods. You no longer have to travel to Caribbean or Asian markets to find some breadfruit.
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So now you’ve tried breadfruit and have probably fallen in love with the flavor right. That means it’s time to go on the search for more Breadfruit Recipes not exactly a common category right. Well no worries because I have come to the rescue!
Just in time for the holiday season, these Breadfruit Puffs will be a delicious addition to your holiday table. Add some Caribbean flavor to the holiday table this year!
My grandmother is from Dominica. Although technically they received their Independence from England and therefore might be considered a previously British island. They were also colonized for a long time by the French.
Although English is the official language, the people also speak a French based patois. Their cuisine is more similar to the other French islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe than it is to British islands.
These Breadfruit Puffs are very popular in the French Caribbean including Martinique, Guadeloupe and Dominica.
Dominica is one of the few unspoiled gems that still remain in the Caribbean – a nature enthusiast’s paradise. If you are planning a vacation to the Caribbean this year, definitely consider Dominica. READ ALL ABOUT IT in my post below!
RELATED: DOMINICA – NATURE ISLAND OF THE CARIBBEAN
Where does Breadfruit come from?
Breadfruit is native to Southeast Asia and is often eaten in Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia and a few places in southern India as in this Karnataka Style Breadfruit Palya.
However, it is extremely common in the Caribbean and we often include it in soups like this Chickpea Okra Ground Provision Soup or will simply have it for breakfast as part of our ground provision as in this Dominica Style Breakfast.
This breadfruit tree was outside of the inn I stayed at for part of the time when I was in Dominica.
Picking Breadfruit
Breadfruit is very versatile and can be utilized in everything from soups to desserts. It can be boiled, roasted or fried.
Breadfruits can range in color from bright green to an ugly brown. Don’t be afraid of the brown ones, These are more ripe and will have a sweeter flavor, closer to sweet potato. The ripe ones are even sometimes utilized in dessert recipes.
Gluten Free Variation
This recipe is easily converted to gluten free. All you have to do is use gluten free breadcrumbs or even coat it in chickpea flour instead, which will still provide a nice crispy shell.
Breadfruit Puffs are generally eaten with hot sauce. The two most common Caribbean hot sauce brands available in the US are Baron’s & Chief. I won’t tell if you use Sriracha instead! It’ll be out little secret!
However, for real Caribbean flavor in these Breadfruit Puffs, I highly recommend you getting some West Indian style hot sauce! SEE LINKS BELOW!
Let’s see how easy it is to make Breadfruit Puffs!
How to make Breadfruit Puffs
First step is to boil the breadfruit. It is easier if you quarter the breadfruit. Then it won’t take as long to cook.
As soon as it is cool enough to handle, peel, core and mash. DO NOT WAIT FOR IT TO COOL DOWN COMPLETELY. It will be very challenging to mash when it is cold.
Then add all the seasonings.
Now all you have to do is form into balls with wet hands and coat in breadcrumbs!
Deep fry until golden brown. Alternately, you can try using an Air Fryer.
Now dig in and enjoy!
Breadfruit Puffs
Ingredients
- 1 breadfruit about 2 lbs.
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1/2 onion grated
- 1 Scotch Bonnet Pepper (Habanero) finely chopped
- 1/4 cup chives finely chopped
- 1/4 cup parsley finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoons salt
- pinch freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs for coating
- oil for frying
Instructions
- Quarter the breadfruit.
- Cook breadfruit in boiling water until fork tender, about 30-40 minutes.
- As soon as it is cool enough to handle, remove the skin with a knife and core the breadfruit.
- Mash the breadfruit. It is important to do this when the breadfruit is still hot. Once cooled, it won't mash.
- Whisk egg and milk together in a small bowl.
- Add to breadfruit mix with your hands, so that if there are still large chunks of breadfruit, you can crush it with your fingers.
- Add onion, Scotch bonnet, chives, parsley, salt, nutmeg and pepper. Mix to combine.
- Using approximately 1 1/2 tablespoons for each Breadfruit Puff, roll into balls and toss in the breadcrumbs. (I use the Italian seasoned flavored breadcrumbs)
- In a large skillet, heat enough oil for deep frying. Once the oil is hot, fry the balls, until golden brown on all sides.
- Drain on paper towels.
- Serve with hot sauce.
Notes
Nutrition
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Interesting recipe..never made this..
I’m looking forward to trying this recipe! I’m in a tropical area with a lot of breadfruit on hand. Wondering what level of firmness your fruit was before boiling? I’m guessing pretty firm, and not a softer/more ripe fruit.
I usually use them when they are green. It is alright if it is starting to ripen with some brown spots but it should still be firm to the touch.
Bread fruit is new .. looks yummy.
Vardhini
Event: Sinful Delights
Event: Stuffed Paratha
This is so new to me. Very nice…
Breadfruit is new to me. Puffs look delicious.
Wow breadfruit puffs looks absolutely yummy,loving it.
Looks like a tempting snack! But I wish I could see how a breadfruit looks like. Perhaps I will google and find it.:)
@cool lassi(e) – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breadfruit – this article has some photos of breadfruit – is in same family as jackfruit (if that is more available to you)
if i m not wrong is it baby jackfruit? Looks yummy, love to try this!!!!
@PriyaVaasu no – they are in the same family, but it is not the same. Here is an excerpt I got from an Economic Times article about breadfruit in India and where it is available. apparently it is only available in Mangalore, Kerala and Konkan – hope this helps…Like paneer, cooked breadfruit takes on other flavours, in curries or dry fried, or can be dipped in batter and fried for make excellent pakoras. Its compact round shape also makes it ideal for stuffing – just cook it a bit, scoop out the inedible centre, stuff with filling and finish cooking.
The real mystery with breadfruit is why it is so little known in India. It grows easily in coastal regions, but only in Mangalore and parts of Kerala and the Konkan is there any knowledge of breadfruit. I had always assumed that in Mumbai it was only found in South Indian dominated areas like Matunga and I was actually taking some home from there, after paying a hefty price because the vendor told me they had come from Mangalore, when I first noticed the tree close to home. To make it worse, no one else seems to want or be harvesting them, unless it's that vendor in Matunga.
One problem with breadfruit in India, I think, is that most people assume it's just baby jackfruit. The plants are closely related – I've read that breadfruit can be grafted onto jackfruit trees – and raw jackfruit can be cooked in similar ways, but it lacks the abundant starchiness that makes breadfruit so delicious. One particular problem that's said to happen with breadfruit in India, which I've seen myself, is that the ripening fruit attracts fungus.
Very interesting!
Thanks for updating with the picture. I think I have seen it somewhere.
Never saw a bread fruit. Thanks for the information. The puffs look great…
We don’t get bread fruit here , but with what i am reading this snack sounds delicious , crispy crunchy with a soft interior .
I have seen my aunty cook these like stir fry for lunch and they taste so delicious, similar to raw bananas. These puffs look very addictive and delicious…
you should get her to try these puffs the next time 🙂
I’ve seen breadfruit in USA couple of times but had no idea what to make with them. Those puffs look nice and creamy. Good share Mir.
maybe you can find it in India soon if you find yourself in Kerala or Karnataka and check it out then!
Very interesting puffs. I have heard of breadfruit but never had the opportunity to cook and taste it.
It’s becoming now more widely available. You should definitely look out for it!
Can you bake it instead? If so, what your recommended temperature and time?
I have never baked them before so I really could not suggest the time or temperature for baking. I am not sure it would still remain crispy in the oven. If you have an air fryer, I think that might work better.
Aloha Chef Mireille, I’m probably writing this a little prematurely because I’ve made the batter, but I’m not frying them until today but I have two breadfruit trees and I make a lot of little ones and grown little trees to give away for people I’ve helped sponsor a breadfruit Festival as I believe breadfruit can help save us from starvation. I’m quite addicted to breadfruit hummus which replaces the garbanzo bean and you use the same recipe; it’s just delicious! I also just like it steamed and then cut up in chunks and sauteed with vegetables. It replaces rice. It has more nutrition. So I was born in Hawaii although I’m not of Hawaiian blood and I know that the Hawaiians saved themselves from starvation by cultivating these incredible trees. They do have latex in them so be aware that when you clean you will be cleaning the sides of your pots quite energetically🤙
Chef Mireille, I wanted to ask you if you’ve ever tried this recipe with softened breadfruit instead of the firm breadfruit?
I generally only use softened breadfruit for desserts. In this recipe, I either use green or half ripe breadfruit. the consistency of very ripe breadfruit will be different and so you would probably have to adjust the liquid ingredients accordingly.
Thank you for this recipe! I live in Hawaii and have breadfruit trees in the yard. I am always looking for new ways to use it. I made this yesterday, using chickpea flour instead of breadcrumbs, and substituting Hawaiian peppers for the habanero. I fried a few, and baked the rest, brushing them with oil when they seemed done and returning to the oven to finish browning. All compliments from the potluck. I will definitely make again.
Made this yesterday and it came out great! Thanks for the recipe. I had roasted a large breadfruit and was wondering what I could make with half of the breadfruit. Then I came across this recipe.
I am so glad you enjoyed them! This is one of my favorite things to do with breadfruit!