African food is so diverse, spanning many different cultures from north to south, east to west. But whatever the part of the continent, there is always something delicious to eat.
To help you create these amazing flavors in your own kitchen, we’ve compiled this list of African cookbooks around the internet.
1 - Flavors of Africa: Discover Authentic Family Recipes from All Over the Continent
In Flavors of Africa, Evi Aki shares the traditional Nigerian dishes she grew up enjoying, as well as typical eats from all across the continent. She introduces customary recipes from each of Africa’s different regions, including meals from Ethiopia, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, Morocco, Egypt, Angola and more, all of which she collected with the help of relatives and family friends.
Sample tried-and-true staples that have survived generations, like Nigerian Red Stew, Jollof Rice, Moroccan Spiced Lamb and Eritrean Red Lentils with Berbere Spice Mix. Enjoy Evi’s unique spin on classics like West African Egusi Soup and Ewa Oloyin (a vegetarian bean dish), in addition to her lighter and healthier take on traditional African street foods like Zanzibar Pizza.
Whether you’re a foodie, a spicy food aficionado or simply looking for a colorful new cuisine to try, Flavors of Africa is an excellent map for your culinary journey.
2 - Marvel's Black Panther The Official Wakanda Cookbook
This book guides you create meals that fit for a king. The cookbook features over seventy delicious recipes from Wakanda and the African continent. Whether you’re welcoming Wakandan envoys, or simply hosting a watch party with friends, the 70+ African cuisine-inspired recipes in Marvel's Black Panther: The Official Wakanda Cookbook make it a must-have volume for any kitchen.
- Eat like King T’Challa himself: Featuring classic cuisine such as Roasted Chambo, Braised Oxtail and Dumplings, and Glazed Road Runner Wings, this cookbook is a tribute to culinary traditions from all over the African continent.
- Over 70 incredible recipes: From street food and entrees, to desserts and drinks, you will have recipes for every occasion.
- For all skill levels: Marvel's Black Panther: The Official Wakanda Cookbook can be enjoyed by people of all ages. The book features accessible, fun recipes for seasoned chefs and beginners alike.
- Be inspired by stunning food photography: Complete with incredible full-color photography recalling the amazing visual splendor of Wakanda, you’ll be inspired to bring a touch of royalty to your kitchen.
- The most delicious addition to your Marvel collection: The perfect companion to any Black Panther collection, the regal and delicious recipes of Marvel's Black Panther: The Official Wakanda Cookbook make it Insight Editions’ most impressive cookbook yet.
3 - Ethiopia: Recipes and traditions from the horn of Africa
In this book, Chef Yohanis takes the reader on a journey through all the essential dishes of his native country, including the traditional Injera made from the staple grain teff and synonymous with an Ethiopian feast, along the way telling wondrous stories of the local communities and customs.
Complete with photography of the country's stunning landscapes and vibrant artisans, this book demonstrates why Ethiopian food should be considered as one of the world's greatest, most enchanting cuisines.
4 - Easy Moroccan Cookbook: Quick and Simple Mediterranean Recipes
Moroccan food is bursting with unique and vibrant flavor combinations—and now you can enjoy it from the comfort of your own kitchen! This cookbook makes Moroccan cooking easy, with all the beginner-friendly guidance and simple recipes you’ll need for success.
- Moroccan cooking fundamentals—Get started with an overview of Moroccan cuisine and culture, and find tips for sourcing Moroccan staple ingredients.
- A variety of delicious dishes—Explore traditional cuisine from across the country’s diverse regions and try creative dishes that use Moroccan flavors in exciting and inventive ways.
- Convenient recipe labels—Simplify mealtime with handy labels for 5-ingredient, one-pot, 30-minute, no-cook, vegan, and vegetarian dishes.
Capture the flavors of Morocco—no matter your skill level—with the Easy Moroccan Cookbook.
5 - Zoe's Ghana Kitchen: An Introduction to New African Cuisine – From Ghana With Love
Remix classic Ghanaian dishes for the modern kitchen in a cookbook that is "bright, bold, and bursting with flavor" and “provides a new perspective and a sense of wonder for Ghanaian cooking”.
Celebrated cook and writer Zoe Adjonyoh passionately believes we are on the cusp of an African food revolution. First published to widespread acclaim in the United Kingdom, Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen began as a pop-up restaurant in London featuring dishes such as Pan-Roasted Cod with Grains of Paradise, Nkruma (Okra) Tempura, Cubeb-Spiced Shortbread, and Coconut and Cassava Cake. Soon those dishes evolved into this tempting and celebratory cookbook, newly revised and updated for American cooks.
Join Zoe as she shares the beauty of Ghana’s markets, culture, and cuisine, and tells the evocative story of using these tastes and food traditions to navigate her own identity. Whether you are familiar with the delights of Ghanaian cuisine or new to the bold flavors of West Africa, this book contains inspiration for extraordinary home cooking, in dishes such as:
- Simple Fried Plantains
- Red Red Stew
- Red Snapper and Yam Croquettes
- Bofrot Doughnuts
- Nkatsenkwan (Peanut Butter Stew with Lamb)
- Jollof Fried Chicken
- Ghana-fied Caesar Salad
- and more
With flexible recipes for hearty salads, quick and wholesome dinners, flavorful feasts, and much more, Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen brings truly exciting and flavor-packed dishes into your kitchen. This is contemporary African food for simply everyone.
6 - Afro-Vegan: Farm-Fresh African, Caribbean, and Southern Flavors Remixed
Renowned chef and food justice activist Bryant Terry reworks and remixes the favorite staples, ingredients, and classic dishes of the African Diaspora to present more than 100 wholly new, creative culinary combinations that will amaze vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores alike.
Blending African, Carribean, and southern cuisines results in delicious recipes like Smashed Potatoes, Peas, and Corn with Chile-Garlic Oil, a recipe inspired by the Kenyan dish irio, and Cinnamon-Soaked Wheat Berry Salad with dried apricots, carrots, and almonds, which is based on a Moroccan tagine. Creamy Coconut-Cashew Soup with Okra, Corn, and Tomatoes pays homage to a popular Brazilian dish while incorporating classic Southern ingredients, and Crispy Teff and Grit Cakes with Eggplant, Tomatoes, and Peanuts combines the Ethiopian grain teff with stone-ground corn grits from the Deep South and North African zalook dip.
There’s perfect potluck fare, such as the simple, warming, and intensely flavored Collard Greens and Cabbage with Lots of Garlic, and the Caribbean-inspired Cocoa Spice Cake with Crystallized Ginger and Coconut-Chocolate Ganache, plus a refreshing Roselle-Rooibos Drink that will satisfy any sweet tooth.
With more than 100 modern and delicious dishes that draw on Terry’s personal memories as well as the history of food that has traveled from the African continent, Afro-Vegan takes you on an international food journey. Accompanying the recipes are Terry’s insights about building community around food, along with suggested music tracks from around the world and book recommendations.
For anyone interested in improving their well-being, Afro-Vegan’s groundbreaking recipes offer innovative, plant-based global cuisine that is fresh, healthy, and forges a new direction in vegan cooking.
7 - Black Food: Stories, Art, and Recipes from Across the African Diaspora
A beautiful, rich, and groundbreaking book exploring Black foodways within America and around the world, curated by food activist and author of Vegetable Kingdom Bryant Terry.
“Mouthwatering, visually stunning, and intoxicating, Black Food tells a global story of creativity, endurance, and imagination that was sustained in the face of dispersal, displacement, and oppression.”—Imani Perry, Professor of African American Studies at Princeton University
In this stunning and deeply heartfelt tribute to Black culinary ingenuity, Bryant Terry captures the broad and divergent voices of the African Diaspora through the prism of food. With contributions from more than 100 Black cultural luminaires from around the globe, the book moves through chapters exploring parts of the Black experience, from Homeland to Migration, Spirituality to Black Future, offering delicious recipes, moving essays, and arresting artwork.
As much a joyful celebration of Black culture as a cookbook, Black Food explores the interweaving of food, experience, and community through original poetry and essays, including "Jollofing with Toni Morrison" by Sarah Ladipo Manyika, "Queer Intelligence" by Zoe Adjonyoh, "The Spiritual Ecology of Black Food" by Leah Penniman, and "Foodsteps in Motion" by Michael W. Twitty.
The recipes are similarly expansive and generous, including sentimental favorites and fresh takes such as Crispy Cassava Skillet Cakes from Yewande Komolafe, Okra & Shrimp Purloo from BJ Dennis, Jerk Chicken Ramen from Suzanne Barr, Avocado and Mango Salad with Spicy Pickled Carrot and Rof Dressing from Pierre Thiam, and Sweet Potato Pie from Jenné Claiborne.
Visually stunning artwork from such notables as Black Panther Party creative director Emory Douglas and artist Sarina Mantle are woven throughout, and the book includes a signature musical playlist curated by Bryant.
With arresting artwork and innovative design, Black Food is a visual and spiritual feast that will satisfy any soul.
8 - Through the Eyes of an African Chef
Through the Eyes of an African Chef retraces Chef Nompumelelo’s journey of rekindling her love for African cooking, returning to the soil and the seasons to provide the freshest of ingredients, coupled with traditional farming and cooking methods. Her recipes incorporate time-honoured techniques, passed down through the ages. The skills and equipment used then are just as relevant in today’s kitchens and nothing can surpass the simple joy of creating and sharing a meal prepared using the freshest, natural components. In this book, you will rediscover old favourites and startle upon fresh new ways of practicing, preserving and upholding Africa’s finest culinary traditions.
The book is aimed at anyone who has an interest in cooking – particularly preparing exciting African cuisine using fresh, natural ingredients – as well as those who wish to learn more about the culture and practices behind African cooking and sustainable, organic farming practices. Through the Eyes of an African Chef is the proud winner of a Gourmand Best In The World Cookbook Award.
9 - Vegan Africa: Plant-Based Recipes from Ethiopia to Senegal
An authentically African and naturally vegan culinary journey across the continent Drawing from the cultures and traditions of more than 15 countries, years of cooking expertise, and cherished memories from her own childhood on the Ivory Coast, Marie Kacouchia takes us on a tour of flavorful, healthy, naturally plant-based African dishes.
Explore over 70 irresistible recipes for main courses, rice dishes, sauces, snacks, desserts, and drinks, including:
- Peanut Hummus
- Cassava Tabbouleh with Radishes and Herbs
- Yassa Burger
- Paprika-Spiced Plantain Chips
- Sweet Potato and Ginger Loaf
- Coconut Rice Pudding
- Lemongrass Lemonade, and so much more!
Vegan Africa guides you through diverse vegan cuisine from Ghana to Ethiopia, from Nigeria to South Africa. Kacouchia also shines a spotlight on the superfoods—like cacao, garlic, ginger, and sweet potato—that make these recipes both mouthwatering and packed with vital nutrients.
Whether you’re a newcomer to African cuisine or looking to make familiar favorites, Vegan Africa will help you bring healthful, delicious dishes to your kitchen.
10 - In Bibi's Kitchen: The Recipes and Stories of Grandmothers from the Eight African Countries that Touch the Indian Ocean
In this incredible volume, Somali chef Hawa Hassan and food writer Julia Turshen present 75 recipes and stories gathered from bibis (or grandmothers) from eight African nations: South Africa, Mozambique, Madagascar, Comoros, Tanzania, Kenya, Somalia, and Eritrea.
Most notably, these eight countries are at the backbone of the spice trade, many of them exporters of things like pepper and vanilla. We meet women such as Ma Shara, who helps tourists “see the real Zanzibar” by teaching them how to make her famous Ajemi Bread with Carrots and Green Pepper; Ma Vicky, who now lives in suburban New York and makes Matoke (Stewed Plantains with Beans and Beef) to bring the flavor of Tanzania to her American home; and Ma Gehennet from Eritrea who shares her recipes for Kicha (Eritrean Flatbread) and Shiro (Ground Chickpea Stew).
Through Hawa’s writing—and her own personal story—the women, and the stories behind the recipes, come to life. With evocative photography shot on location by Khadija Farah, and food photography by Jennifer May, In Bibi's Kitchen uses food to teach us all about families, war, loss, migration, refuge, and sanctuary.
