Watch how to make Cameroonian fish rolls:
I started experimenting in the kitchen, trying to make some. Sometimes the rolls would unwrap as I fried them. Brrrrrrrrrr! At other times, they would grow so big in the oil. Sometimes, they were just too oily. I used only yeast in the dough, only baking powder then both yeast and baking powder. I finally chose to use only a little baking powder as a raising agent because it worked best for me. The struggle to learn how to make "fishy" has been real. Finally, I have my own recipe which many have used over the years and given me awesome feedback. I have tweaked, retested and perfected it because fish roll is serious business.
If you have never made fish rolls before, or you have tried to make them unsuccessfully before, prepare to be swoon. This is simply the best Cameroonian fish roll recipe. Well rolled, tasty and perfect! Get your flour, margarine, sardines in oil and all other ingredients (see below) ready. Let's make THE FISH ROLLS OF THE YEAR!
Fish Roll Ingredients
For the dough:
3 cups of all purpose flour (375 grams)
4 tablespoons of margarine (or butter at room temp)
¼ teaspoon of baking powder
2 tablespoons of sugar
A quarter teaspoon of salt (increase if margarine/butter is unsalted)
For the filling:
I tin of sardine (125 grams)
Half of each or one small each: red and yellow bell peppers
Half of a medium onion
1 medium sized carrot
Two sprigs of parsley or half a stem of celery
Two garlic cloves
You also need 1-2 litres of oil for frying.
How to make Cameroonian fish roll filling:
First shred the carrots with a grater then finely chop the onions and garlic. Chop the bell peppers and parsley too.
Open the tin of sardine and pour two tablespoons of the oil into a pot or skillet. Let it heat up for one minute then you put in the onions and garlic and fry until fragrant. Add in all other vegetables and mix well. Shift them to side of the pot then out in sardines and mash - don't make them too mushy. Mix the fish together with the veggies. Viola, the filling is ready!
For the fish roll dough:
Add four tablespoons of margarine to your flour.
Add in two table spoons of sugar.
Add in salt and baking powder (see full recipe below for quantities) then mix with fingertips until everything is well-incorporated. Add in a cup of water a little at a time and mix until you form a dough.
Now flour a board then place the dough on top and knead for two minutes. This greatly improves the texture of the dough. It gets smoother and more elastic as you knead.
How to Roll Fish Rolls Perfectly
First, cut a piece of dough about the size of a golf ball and roll out to form an oval. Place a tablespoon of the filling on top.
Now fold in the dough from the end here the filling is. Fold in the edges too.
Then roll away, baby!
These are my rolls all ready for action, AKA frying. To see more of how I roll them, watch the video.
Now it's time to fry! Heat up oil on high heat then turn it down to medium heat and put in the rolls. Be careful not to over crowd your pan.
Let each batch cook for about 5-8 minutes. Flip the sides half-way through cooking and as needed. They are ready when they are a beautiful golden brown colour.
Place on a paper towel to absorb the excess oil.
Happiness is made of fish rolls. No, I'm not joking!
Let's take a look at that tasty fish filling. Oh mama!
Would I be bossy if I said you must make some? Everyone deserves a homemade fish roll experience at least once in their lifetime!
Here is the printable recipe:
Cameroonian Fish Rolls : The Best Recipe
Ingredients
For the dough (flour measurement has been updated)
- 3 cups of all purpose flour 375 grams
- 4 tablespoons margarine or butter at room temp
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt increase as needed if margarine/butter is unsalted
- 1 cup water - room temperature
For the filling:
- 1 can sardines in oil 125 grams
- 2 small red and yellow bell peppers or half of 1 large green bell pepper also called sweet pepper
- ½ medium onion
- 1 medium-sized carrot
- 2 sprigs of parsley or half stem of celery
- 2 garlic cloves ground fresh spices will work too
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- Shred the carrots with a grater then finely chop the onion and garlic. Also chop the bell pepper and parsley.
- Remove two tablespoons of oil from the can of sardines then place in a pot or skillet. Let it heat for 1 minute then saute the onion and garlic until fragrant.
- Add in the other vegetables and mix then push them to one side of the pan. Drain the remaining sardines from the oil then add to the cleared side of the pan and mash - don't make them too mushy.
- Mix the fish and veggies together. That's it, your filling is ready.
- For the dough, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and butter with finger tips until well incorporated.
- Add water a little at a time and mix until it forms a dough. Sprinkle flour on a board then place dough ontop and knead for about two minutes until elastic and smooth.
- Cut a little piece of dough. It should be a little smaller than the size of a golf ball.
- Roll it out on a floured board to form an oval.
- Put a tablespoon of the filling at one end of the rolled-out dough then fold the dough over the filling. Fold in the edges too. Roll till the other end. Repeat process with the rest of the dough.
- To fry, heat oil on high heat till hot for about 5 - 10 minutes. Turn the heat down to medium and put in the rolls to fry. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan! Fry for about 5-8 minutes until nice and golden brown. Remove and place on paper towel to absorb excess oil.
- Enjoy! Fish rolls are great as a snack, for breakfast or as finger food for parties. So delicious!
Notes
Nutrition
Pin it for later:
Hope you enjoy this recipe. Try making these rolls of goodness and let me know how that goes for you in the comments section.
I'll love to have you follow me on : @preciouscore. If you make this recipe please share on Instagram and tag me or share on my Facebook page.
Ehugs!
*This post has been updated.
Anonymous says
Well done Precious.Very good childhood memory for me.Last time I had fish roll was about 29years after High Sch.I will try this for my sons to enjoy..
Precious Nkeih says
Thanks, my dear. I'm glad I took you down memory lane. Try it. I'm sure they'll love it...
Anonymous says
Where I live, we dont get carrots and bell peppers regularly. So i used grated irish potatoes, and some fresh basil, parsley, onion and garlic. It sure worked.
Precious Nkeih says
Hello dear, I'm glad you thought out of the box and it worked for you. I should try irish potatoes next time. Thanks for the feedback!!!
Angele marie says
Oh wow,great recipe, thanks dear. Will make it weekend. Thanks girls
Precious Nkeih says
You're welcome, dear
patie says
Made some yesterday.The tip you gave on frying on temperatures that let them fry for around 5 mins before turning brown was excellent cus it cooked through.my sizes were abit small so will make them larger next time.Hubby loved them but I think I cut the dough sizes too small.next time.Thanks Precious.
Precious Nkeih says
Aww, you're welcome Patie! I'm glad the tip worked for you. Thank you for the feedback.
Anonymous says
Hi Precious. I just started reading your blog and wanted to show my appreciating for your work. I love all the recipes and i am trying to get more into cooking these days so your recipes will help. Currently on my to-do list is - ndole, poulet DG, meat pie and fish pie. I will let you know how it goes. God bless.
Precious Nkeih says
Thank you so much for the comment, dear! I always appreciate hearing from my readers. God bless you too. Looking forward to the feedback.
Hope to see more of you here.
Anonymous says
You are great darling!You just made me a chef. Fish pie, meat pie. Perfect recipe. Am trying the doughnut now. Kudos
Precious Nkeih says
Thanks for coming back to let me know, darling!
Hope to hear from you, again.
Blessings
klara says
i'm so grateful with your hand work dear u are wonderful keep up job well done
Precious says
Thanks for your very kind words, Klara!
Ndifon susan says
Beautiful. You are awesome. You promise to try all. Thank you so much.
Precious says
You're welcome Susan!
Asha says
Hi love, new subscriber here!
You're the first Cameroonian food vlogger I've found. I am a Black American and recently found out that my heritage/geneology is smack dab from Cameroon so I've been really trying to connect with that and finding you has helped so much.
Thank you so much for all your amazing work!!
Precious says
Hi Asha, so glad to have you here!!
I'm so glad to be able to help as you connect to your roots. Feel free to ask me any questions you may have.
Blessings to you!
Adeline says
Thx a million @ may God bless you. Yummy snack for my hubby
Precious says
You're most welcome, Adeline.
Karen says
Beautiful precious I tried it and loved it??
Precious says
So glad to hear that, Karen. Thanks for letting me know.
Dominika Goodness says
Weldone Ma'am Precious, the fish rolls definitely look crispy and no you are not bossy for saying that we should make some fish rolls. bless you Ma'am.
Precious says
Thanks D!
Hope you enjoy the recipe.
Berry Dakara says
Hubby has homework when he gets back to me!!!
Precious says
Hahaha okay!
Elizabeth says
Your recipy is the best.I use to make mind but it is usually hard and dry not cripcy but I don't no wat when wrong
Precious says
Oh Elizabeth! Glad this helps.
Lina says
Wonderment and thanks 🙂
Precious says
You're welcome!
Bola says
Can somebody serve me this with a chilled bottle of my fav drink (Pepsi)?
Precious says
Go make yourself some, madame.
Lina says
Precious, this fishroll is addictive.
Just too good.........
Nneke says
Wow!!! Good job dear, thanks and Gos bless you.
Nneka says
Wow!!! Good job dear, thanks and God bless you real good.
moven says
thanks alot aunty precious, i now make these rolls and sell and it even helps me get some handouts in school. u r a blessing to this generation
Yvonne says
Can I bake the rolls instead if frying them? If yes, for how long and at what temperature? Thanks and I love your blog.
Precious says
Yes you can do that, Yvonne. Brush the rolls with oil and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (or 180 degrees Celsius) for about 20 minutes or until the rolls turn golden brown. Hope this helps.
fanoevert says
Good work dear. I must say my husband has been so happy with my cooking thanks to you. God bless you
Precious says
Awwww so so happy to hear that! God bless you too!
Karen says
Miss p you a great cook ,bring following u for a while now.trust me you do all perfect. Quick question can i bake this recepi instead of frying.i did not put baking powder and so I don have the holes on the fish roll skin.
Precious says
Yes dear, you can totally bake instead of frying. Brush with oil and bake instead if you so wish.
Necky says
Hi. Please can I bake instead Of frying?
Precious says
Yes you definitely can. Brush with oil and bake.
Jay says
I made the Camaroonian fish rolls. So easy to make and tastes fabulous. Everyone loved it. So I made it few more times.Thank you so much for this perfect recipe.
Precious says
So glad to hear that, Jay. Thank you for the great feedback.
veron says
amazing ma
Precious says
Thanks Veron!
Anna says
Thanks very much dear. I just googled how to make fish rolls and i found this esp. from my own country of origin. Will try it. Keep-up dear.
Precious says
Glad you found me, Anna. Thank you for leaving a comment.
Patience says
Hi precious, thanks for this recipie, I have tried it and I love the results. Could you please share some easy but healthy lunches kids can take to school? I really run out of ideas with this. Thanks
Precious says
Okay dear, I have noted your request.
Marlene says
Thanks for the recipe tried was good when I was frying I discovered it was opening what could be the cause of that
Precious says
Hi Marlene, your rolls were opening because they were not properly sealed. I always pinch the dough together at the end of rolling so it sticks together. Also, watch the video in the post to see how I do it. Hope this helps.
Esperance Beya says
Hi Precious, I am from Democratic Republic of Congo married to a Cameroonian. I started following you since last year. I really really appreciate your work. So far, I have learned and cooked ndole, pepper soup, Eru, okongobong, jollof rice, chin chin, Egusi pudding, Kati Kati and njama njama and this morning I made fish rolls. So proud of myself and thank you so much for being there for some of us and keep up the great work . God bless you and your family.
Precious says
So glad the recipes are helpful, dear. Thanks for the feedback. So nice of you to learn how to make Cameroonian dishes for your spouse.
Buri says
Perfect Recipe!
Thank you so much for this. My family and I enjoyed this last weekend.
Tabe says
Hi dear
Can I bake the fish roll instead of frying
Precious says
Yes you can. Brush with oil and bake.
Nma says
madam Precious, you are just too much. even a dullard will not find it difficult to try out your recipe. keep on moving higher and be blessed.
Mrs. Nganjie says
I made these and yes they're sooooo delicious just next time I will roll the dough a bit thinner but these were heavenly everyone wants more thank you for sharing your recipe you've been my life saver in learning to cook Cameroonian food here in the USA as some things are hard to find 🤗
Precious says
This warms my heart Thank you for sharing Mrs. Nganjie.