West AfricanMedium · Hot
Golden, crispy patties made from seasoned jollof rice, pan-fried to perfection and served with a bright, tangy tomato chutney. A creative way to transform leftover rice into something extraordinary.
15 min
30 min
5 min
50 min
Method
Dice the tomatoes and yellow onion into small pieces. Mince the garlic finely.
Heat 2 tablespoons of sunflower oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the diced tomatoes and tomato sauce.
Season with salt and cayenne pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes break down and the sauce thickens.
Remove from heat and stir in the honey and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning. Set aside to cool slightly.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked jollof rice, egg, breadcrumbs, salt, and cayenne pepper. Mix until well combined and the mixture holds together when pressed.
Let the mixture rest for 5 minutes so the breadcrumbs absorb moisture. Divide into 8 equal portions and shape each into a firm patty about 1/2-inch thick.
Heat the remaining sunflower oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat until shimmering.
Carefully place the rice patties in the pan, working in batches if necessary. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy.
Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
Arrange the crispy jollof rice patties on a serving platter. Drizzle the warm tomato chutney over the top or serve on the side for dipping. Serve immediately.
Nutri-Score
Good balance
A–E · lower is better · score 0
Calories
1002
per serving
Protein
21g
Carbs
184g
Fat
19g
Sat. fat
3g
Fiber
7g
Sugar
14g
Sodium
886mg
Nutri-Score is a general nutritional-balance guide, not medical or dietary advice.
Environmental impact
Moderate impact
A–E · lower is better · includes estimates
kg CO2e
1.1
per serving
Water
2.7m³
Land
25Pt
Runoff
0.09g P
Cooked Jollof Rice drives 57% of this recipe’s estimated footprint.
Carbon from Poore & Nemecek 2018; water, land & runoff from Agribalyse — modelled averages for comparing recipes, not a measurement of your groceries.
Flavor Profile
Umami
Sweet
Salty
Sour
Bitter
Spicy
Textures
Aromas
Kitchen Equipment
Primary Tool
Frying PanTechniques
Safety & Storage
Cooking Temperature
Cook rice patties to internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) minimum to ensure egg-containing mixture is safely cooked through. Oil should shimmer before adding patties.
Cross Contamination
Use separate utensils and cutting boards for raw egg handling and ready-to-eat foods. Wash hands thoroughly after handling raw egg mixture.
Storage
Refrigerate cooked patties within 2 hours. Store in airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat to 165°F before serving.
Allergen Warning
Recipe contains eggs and wheat/gluten. For allergen-free version, substitute eggs with flax eggs and use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
High Risk Population
Eggs in this recipe may pose risk to immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, young children, and elderly if undercooked. Ensure thorough cooking.
Handling
Allow chutney to cool slightly before serving to prevent burns. Pat hot fried patties on paper towels to reduce excess oil before serving.
Pro Tips
Substitution
No Scotch Bonnet? A pinch of smoked paprika plus the cayenne gives you that signature smoky heat. And if palm oil is available, use it instead of sunflower oil for the chutney—trust me, it makes all the difference.
Make Ahead
The tomato chutney actually tastes better the next day! Make it ahead and store it in the fridge. When you're ready to serve, just warm it gently while your patties crisp up in the pan.
Reheating
To keep that beautiful crispy exterior when reheating, use a hot pan with a little oil rather than the microwave. Two minutes per side and they'll taste almost as good as fresh.
From the chef
In Accra, we never let good jollof go to waste—we transform it into something bold, something better. These crispy patties are my way of keeping the jollof party going: that smoky tomato-rich flavor gets a golden crust and a bright chutney that makes neighbors knock twice. This is resourceful cooking with soul, the kind that feeds bellies and brings people together.
Source: generated · June 10, 2026