Coconut Fonio (gluten free, dairy free, vegan, low FODMAP)

Last updated on 9.11.2023

Fonio is a very fine grain from West Africa. It’s so small that when soaked and strained it feels like wet sand. It’s naturally gluten free and when cooked it’s a great substitute for couscous – actually much better than quinoa.

Coconut fonio is our favorite recipe. It tastes great and can be a full meal on its own with some added protein (tofu or shredded chicken), or as a side dish to any meat or fish.

This recipe is for 4 servings. Each serving (without tofu) is about 273 kcal (5 g protein, 44 g carbs, 6 g fat).

Coconut Fonio (gluten free, dairy free, vegan, low FODMAP)

Print Recipe

Fonio – the miracle African grain is a great GF substitute for couscous. This recipe is for 4 servings. Each serving (without tofu) is about 273 kcal (5 g protein, 44 g carbs, 6 g fat).

Course Main Course

Cuisine West African

Keyword flavorful, light, spicy

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings 4

Calories 273

Ingredients

• 1 cup fonio 205 g
• 1 cube stock vegetable or chicken
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup light coconut milk
• 1 red bell pepper 170 g – diced
• 30 g scallions green parts only – chopped
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• ½ tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp grated ginger or ginger paste
• 1 tsp garlic infused oil
• 1 dried whole bird eye chili
• 280 g firm tofu cubed, or shredded chicken

Instructions

• Rinse fonio, set aside
• Make tofu (grill, bake, fry,…)
  280 g firm tofu
• In a small pot, boil water, coconut milk and stock
  1 cube stock, 1 cup water, 1 cup light coconut milk
• Add everything except fonio (and tofu) and cook for 5 minutes
  1 red bell pepper, 30 g scallions, ½ tsp dried thyme, ½ tsp turmeric, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp grated ginger, 1 tsp garlic infused oil, 1 dried whole bird eye chili
• Add fonio, cook on very low, covered, for an additional 5 minutes
  1 cup fonio
• Remove the chilli before serving