When it comes to Nigerian parties and celebrations, one dish always steals the show: the Nigerian Small Chops Platter. It’s not just food it’s tradition, it’s flavor, it’s the ultimate party starter.
Filled with a mix of sweet, savory, and spicy bites like puff-puff, samosas, spring rolls, and spicy grilled meats, it’s a beautiful reflection of Nigeria’s rich food culture.
Chef Lucas Benette, known for bringing elegance to traditional street food, shares his trusted recipe for building the perfect small chops platter at home whether you’re feeding a crowd or treating yourself.
What Is a Nigerian Small Chops Platter?
The term “small chops” in Nigeria refers to a variety of finger foods commonly served at parties, weddings, birthdays, and festive gatherings. The idea is simple: lots of bite-sized, flavorful snacks, served hot, crispy, and often spicy.
This platter usually includes:
- Puff-puff Soft, sweet, deep fried dough balls
- Samosas Triangular pastries filled with spicy meat or vegetables
- Spring rolls Crispy rolls stuffed with stir fried veggies or shredded chicken
- Spiced chicken or beef skewers Marinated and grilled
- Hot pepper sauce For dipping and extra heat
Ingredients for the Nigerian Small Chops Platter
Here’s everything you’ll need to prepare a well balanced platter. You can adjust the amounts based on how many people you’re serving.
| Item | Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Puff-Puff | Flour, sugar, yeast, warm water, salt |
| Samosas | Samosa wrappers, minced beef or veggies, onion, pepper, curry powder |
| Spring Rolls | Spring roll wrappers, cabbage, carrots, green beans, soy sauce, garlic |
| Chicken Skewers | Chicken breast, suya spice or chili mix, oil, salt |
| Dipping Sauce | Tomatoes, scotch bonnet, onion, seasoning cubes, vegetable oil |
How to Make the Small Chops Platter (Step-by-Step)
1. Make the Puff-Puff
- Mix 2 cups flour, ¼ cup sugar, 1 tsp yeast, a pinch of salt, and 1 cup warm water.
- Let the batter rise for 45 minutes until bubbly.
- Heat oil in a deep pan, scoop dough with hand or spoon, and fry until golden.
- Remove and drain on paper towels.
2. Prepare the Samosas
- Cook minced meat or vegetables with onions, curry powder, and pepper.
- Let filling cool.
- Take samosa wrappers, add filling, fold into triangles, seal edges with flour paste.
- Fry in hot oil until crispy.
3. Roll the Spring Rolls
- Stir fry shredded cabbage, carrots, and green beans with garlic, soy sauce, and a pinch of salt.
- Allow to cool.
- Fill spring roll wrappers and seal with water or egg wash.
- Deep fry until golden.
4. Grill the Chicken Skewers
- Cut chicken breast into cubes.
- Marinate with suya spice (or mix chili powder, paprika, ginger, salt) and oil.
- Skewer and grill over high heat until fully cooked and slightly charred.
5. Make the Hot Pepper Dip
- Blend tomatoes, scotch bonnet pepper, and onion.
- Sauté in oil, add seasoning cube and salt.
- Simmer until thick and spicy.
Chef Lucas Benette’s Tips for Small Chops Perfection
- Don’t overcrowd your frying pan it drops the oil temperature and makes everything soggy.
- Use fresh oil for each batch of puff-puff and samosas to maintain clean flavor.
- Chop veggies finely for neat rolls and better frying.
- Skewers need heat grill over charcoal if possible for authentic flavor.
- Always serve hot that’s when the textures really shine.
How to Serve Your Platter
Serve on a large wooden board or tray, layered with lettuce leaves. Organize each item into sections with a small bowl of pepper sauce in the center. Garnish with:
- Thin red onion rings
- Lime wedges
- Fresh chili slices
- Crushed peanuts or suya spice powder for extra flavor
FAQs – Nigerian Small Chops Platter
Q1: What are Nigerian small chops?
Nigerian small chops are a popular assortment of finger foods typically served at parties, weddings, and events. They include snacks like puff-puff, samosas, spring rolls, meat pies, grilled or fried meats, and spicy dipping sauces. Small chops are often served as appetizers or in party platters for guests to enjoy casually.
Q2: What are the things inside small chops?
A standard small chops platter usually includes a variety of bite sized snacks such as:
- Puff-puff (fried sweet dough balls)
- Beef or veggie samosas
- Vegetable or chicken spring rolls
- Spiced grilled skewers (like suya or chicken kebabs)
- Mini meat pies
- Pepper sauce or suya mayo for dipping
Each item adds a different texture and flavor, creating a complete and satisfying snacking experience.
Q3: What do Americans call small chops?
In American food culture, small chops are most similar to party appetizers or finger foods. While the exact selection may differ, the concept is the same: small, easy-to-eat, often fried or baked snacks served at social gatherings. Think of them as the Nigerian version of a “party platter” or “hors d’oeuvres.”
Q4: Is small chops business profitable in Nigeria?
Yes, the small chops business is highly profitable in Nigeria. With constant demand at weddings, birthdays, office parties, and street food events, there’s always a market for well-made small chops. It has low startup costs and high turnover when done right, especially if you focus on quality, hygiene, and good packaging.
Final Thoughts
There’s a reason the Nigerian Small Chops Platter is the heart of every Nigerian celebration. It’s more than just food it’s flavor, community, and joy, all served in bite-sized portions. With Chef Lucas Benette’s step-by-step method, you can bring that same party spirit to your own table anytime, anywhere.
So heat up that oil, prep your platter, and watch it disappear in minutes. Small chops, big satisfaction!
