Agege bread is one of those meals that you taste once and never go back. Especially the soft, fresh ones that remind you of a warm home. With the perfect pairing, Agege bread easily becomes a scrumptious and filling meal that your belly would appreciate.

Agege is a popular type of Nigerian bread that originated in the Agege area of Lagos City, and its unique taste and texture add to its popularity.

It's fine to get addicted to the satisfying taste of Agege bread and the good news is, you do not have to be a pro baker to make one. You can easily make it at home and enjoy it as much as you like.

Agege Bread Ingredients

It is very easy to make Agege bread and all you need are basic baking ingredients. Here is a list of the ingredients:.

• 4 1/2–5 Cups Bread Flour
• 2 1/4 Teaspoons of active yeast (1 packet)
• 1/4 Cup Sugar
• 1/2 Cup Lukewarm Water
• 1 1/2 cups Whole milk or Evaporated milk
• 2 Tablespoons Melted Butter
• 1 Large Egg
• 1 Teaspoon Salt
• 1/2 Teaspoon Ascorbic acid

Use a kitchen scale (grammes) for the best outcome:

FOR 2 LOAVES

• 354g or ml water, 1½ cup
• 7g instant yeast (2½ teaspoons)
• 50g sugar, 1/4 cup
• 680g Bread flour (about 5½ cups)
• 30g powdered milk (½ cup)
• 9g salt (1½ teaspoon)
• 60g unsalted butter (5 tablespoons)
• 10g oil, 1 tablespoon oil

For 3 LOAVES

• 531g or ml water (2½ cups)
• 10.5g instant yeast (about 3 3/8 teaspoons)
• 75g sugar (1/3 cup)
• 1020g Bread flour (about 8½ cups)
• 45g powdered milk (about 1/3 cup)
• 13.5g salt (2½ teaspoons)
• 90g unsalted butter (7½ tablespoons)
• 10g oil (1½ tablespoons)

HOW TO MAKE AGEGE BREAD (NIGERIAN BREAD)

Making bread isn't hard, if you follow the instructions in this recipe, you can have your own homemade bread.

The first thing you need to do when making agege bread is proof the yeast. Allow the yeast to dissolve in warm water in a small bowl, add a bit of sugar and let it sit until you see it foaming. If you're using instant yeast, you can simply add it to your flour.

Sift your flour in a large bowl, add sugar, salt and mix

In a small bowl, melt butter, beat egg into it, add milk, and whisk together.

To create a soft dough when making this Nigerian Agege bread recipe. Combine the flour mixture, yeast, and egg mixture. For this process, you can either use a stand mixer or an electric hand mixer. If more flour is required, add it.

If you're using a mixer, after the dough has finished mixing, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it until it is elastic and smooth. Or simply stir until you have stretchy dough—that is the secret to baking bread.

If the dough is ready, you should be able to take a piece of it and stretch it to a very thin texture before it breaks, meaning it's sticky dough (you don't want stiff dough) and perfect to rest.

Form the dough into a ball by kneading it. Place the dough in a greased bowl, then cover it with a damp cloth or a wrap. Wait until the dough doubles in size for about 40–50 minutes.

Once it has doubled in size, punch it down to release the air, then flatten the dough and knead it into a dough ball, tucking in the ends, and place it into the greased bread pan. Brush melted butter on the dough before covering it with plastic wrap and letting it sit for 40 minutes in a warm place.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F for about 10–15 minutes. Bake the bread in the preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius (370 °F) for 30 minutes. Once it's golden brown, your bread is baked and ready. 

Tips to making the perfect Nigerian Agege Bread 

1. Ensure the water you use to activate the yeast is warm (around 110°F or 43°C). Too hot or too cold water can affect the yeast's performance.
2. Let the yeast mixture sit for at least 10 minutes or until it becomes foamy. This shows that the yeast is active and ready to use.
3. Kneading the dough thoroughly (for about 10–15 minutes) helps develop gluten and ensures a soft, elastic texture in the final bread. Use a floured surface to prevent sticking. Or stay close to your mixer and monitor well. 
4. Gradually add water to the dough and adjust as needed. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky, but still manageable. Avoid making it too wet by adding water slowly.
5. Let the dough rise until it doubles in size during both the first and second rising stages. The rising times may vary depending on the temperature in your kitchen.
6. After the first rise, gently punch down the dough to release any excess air bubbles. 
7. When shaping the dough into loaves for the second rise, handle it gently to avoid deflating it. Place the loaves seam-side down in the pans for a smoother appearance.
8. Grease the loaf pans generously with vegetable oil to prevent the bread from sticking.
9. Ensure your oven is fully preheated to the specified temperature before placing the bread inside to ensure even baking.
10. Bake the bread until it turns golden brown on top and your bread is fully cooked.  
11. Allow the baked Agege bread to cool in the pans for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely to prevent the crust from becoming too soft.

What to pair with Agege Bread

Butter and Jam: Spread some butter and your favourite jam or fruit preserves on slices of Agege bread for a simple and delicious breakfast or snack. 

Agege is such a versatile food that you can pair it with many things, either as a snack or a meal. 

Butter and jam. You can spread butter or your favourite jam into the agege bread and have it as a satisfying breakfast or snack. 

Egg Sandwich: Make a tasty egg sandwich by adding fried or scrambled eggs, cheese, and some veggies between two slices of Agege bread.

Sardine or Tuna Sandwich: Create a sandwich by spreading canned sardines or tuna mixed with mayonnaise or a spicy sauce on your Agege bread. Add lettuce, tomato, and onions for extra flavour.

Peanut Butter: Spread creamy or crunchy peanut butter on Agege bread for a quick and satisfying snack or breakfast.

Akara: Akara is a popular Nigerian snack made from deep-fried bean cakes. You can serve slices of Agege bread with akara for a filling and delicious meal.

Ewa Agoyin: Ewa Agoyin is a Nigerian dish made from mashed beans served with a spicy sauce. Enjoy Agege bread alongside Ewa Agoyin, which is an outstanding combination and one of the best.

Stews and Soups: Use Agege bread to dip into stews and soups, such as Nigerian pepper soup or tomato stew. 

Tea or Coffee: Agege bread pairs well with a hot cup of tea or coffee, making it a great choice for a quick breakfast or afternoon snack.

Grilled Sandwiches: Make grilled cheese sandwiches, chicken sandwiches, or any other favourite sandwich fillings using Agege bread.

Moi Moi: Moi Moi is a Nigerian steamed bean pudding. Serve slices of Agege bread with Moi Moi for a satisfying and nutritious meal.

Akamu/Pap: Enjoy Agege bread with Nigerian akamu or pap, a traditional fermented cornmeal porridge. Dip the bread into the pap for a comforting meal.

Where can Buy Agege Bread in the UK?

If you're not in the mood to make bread and are looking for a place to buy quality Agege bread, why not buy fresh Agege bread from our African Grocery Store?