Pap nuggets: Mzansi's twist on a fast-food favourite

Tiktoker Zanukule Dlamini's pap nuggets recipe sparked a culinary debate in Mzansi about blending tradition with modern cooking trends

The video has over 26K views with followers asking her if she’s planning on making a pap salad next, and another planning their weekly pap menu - Monday fried pap, Tuesday normal pap, Wednesday pap nuggets.

She shows step by step  how she goes about making the nuggets, which are coated in cornflakes and deep fried to be served with chicken and sauce.

Content creator Keith Dodgen was so enamoured by her video that he decided to try making it himself, much to the amusement of his Facebook followers.

@Malatji Pinky Anastasia:  If Woolworths and Checkers sees her,she dead... And white people will start to buy "Pap Nuggets"

@Keenan Lightsmith: KFC definitely going to release a zinger pap nugget

@Mishaan Mookrey: Next McDonald's South African meal...Boerie Burger and Pap Nuggets with a Medium Amasi

@Quanita Danique Scott: I'm sure vegetarians would love this.

@Kabelo Tumelo: Show the burnt side of the pap bro it's okay we understand as south Africans, you been tryna hide that burnt side.

@Tim Red Rimfire Crofts: Its most definitely not a new thing brah. Pap fingers and pap nuggets been at Bosvelder pub and others for years

@Ritisha Maharaj: You look traumatized for life bruh. Your facial reactions. I watched this too many times for my own good. #dead

Others posted that they have been making pap nuggets for years and added their recipes.

@Ivy Baxendale: If you grate some cheese, then fry some bacon chop it finely, add some finely chopped fresh chilli and mix all with the pap...don't worry about cookie cutters..that's wasting time...just roll into small balls dip in the beaten egg, then breadcrumbs then egg then crumbs again.. Then you fry them in hot oil....these are yummy. They're called Amaizeballs. Make a lekker little snack even kids like them.

How healthy are deep fried pap nuggets?

Although it may look unhealthy, mealie meal contains a wide range of nutrients that can be beneficial for overall health and immunity. These nutrients include vitamins A, B, and C, as well as minerals like iron and zinc.

Cornflakes, on the other hand are processed, and have little roughage in them. They also contain high levels of sugar, which can increase blood pressure, inflammation, weight gain and diabetes.

The deep frying process changes the chemical structure of fats, making them difficult for your body to break down, leading to trans fats that are associated with an increased risk of many health conditions, including heart disease and cancer, plus it adds a lot of calories.

So it may be best to stick with the plain pap after all.

IOL Lifestyle