Soaked Garri Recipe (Garri Cereal)

Eating soaked garri is one of life's simplest pleasures--and it's so easy to make that a child could do it. In fact, it's the very first Nigerian recipe I remember making (and greedily eating) with my dad! This staple breakfast dish only calls for four core ingredients and I have a few extra flavorful suggestions for you to incorporate to make it your own. Let's get into it!

And if you enjoy this recipe, you'll love my Nigerian tiger nut milk, too!

Quick and Easy - This soaked garri, also called garri milk, is an absolute beginner friendly recipe. I should know--since I think the first time I made it was around the age of five!

Customizable - Soaked garri is vegan and delicious as is but also the perfect blank canvas for adding different flavors and textures to create your perfect breakfast bowl.

We love simple Nigerian food recipes over here, like Agege bread, jollof spaghetti, dodo aka fried plantain, zobo drink, and ewa riro. And don't sleep on these delectable Naija meat pies, either!

Garri, of course! I prefer Ijebu garri because of its tangy, slightly sour taste that is balanced out by the sugar. In the US, you can find garri at African grocery stores and the international sections of some mainstream grocers.

Sugar, specifically granulated sugar is the typical sweetener but you can use whichever granulated or liquid sweetener you like, including maple syrup, brown sugar, etc.

Water is what we're soaking the garri in. Some folks add powdered milk to make the texture more creamy and substantial.

Ice because garri milk is best enjoyed ice cold so you'll often see ice cubes floating around the bowl.

Toppings - Aside from ice, I like to add groundnut, aka roasted peanuts. Groundnut is a common addition but my other preference is not so common: toasted coconut chips. You can also add fruits and seeds as you would with any cereal.

Milk - Water, water plus powdered milk or actual milk are all suitable options for soaking garri. Use whatever type and brand of milk you like, including dairy and plant-based options. And peak is a popular brand in Nigeria.

Step One: Add garri, sugar, water, and salt to a cereal bowl.

Step Two: Mix everything up and add ice, groundnut, and toasted coconut for extra razzle dazzle.

Pro Tip: Be sure to cover the garri with at least an inch or two of liquid as it will get absorbed and develop a thick kind of porridge-like texture. And you can add more water as you go!

More Favorite Naija Recipes

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