Festival — Jamaican sweet dumplings
Short answer: Mix flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and a pinch of salt with water to form a soft dough. Shape into elongated rolls and deep-fry at 175°C until golden brown, about 4–5 minutes.
Festival is Jamaica's answer to the hotdog bun — but much tastier. These lightly sweet, fried dumplings are crispy on the outside, soft and airy on the inside, and indispensable alongside Jamaican Jerk chicken. Use the Jamaican Jerk BBQ Rub for an authentic Caribbean flavor on your chicken.
As the name suggests, Festival is a celebration on your plate.
What you'll need
For 8–10 pieces (4 servings):
- 200g all-purpose flour
- 50g cornmeal (polenta or fine cornmeal)
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 120–140ml water (room temperature)
- Sunflower oil or peanut oil for frying
The cornmeal gives Festival its characteristic slightly grainy texture and golden color. Do not use regular flour as a substitute — it will yield a very different result. Fine-ground polenta works perfectly as an alternative.
Preparation
- In a bowl, mix flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add water and knead until a soft, non-sticky dough forms. Add a little more water if needed.
- Let the dough rest for 10 minutes under a damp cloth.
- Divide into 8–10 equal pieces and roll each piece into an elongated roll of approx. 10 cm.
- Heat the oil in a pan to 175°C (use a thermometer for best results).
- Deep-fry the Festival in batches, 4–5 minutes per side, until golden brown.
- Drain on paper towels and serve warm.
Oil that is too hot (above 185°C) will brown the outside too quickly while the inside remains raw. Oil that is too cold will make them greasy. 175°C is the sweet spot for a crispy exterior and cooked interior.
Serving suggestions
Festival pairs perfectly with:
- Jamaican Jerk chicken — the essential combination
- Rice and peas — for a complete Jamaican meal
- Grilled mango — sweet against sweet-spicy
More BBQ side dishes
The rub makes all the difference
Freshly blended to order. No fillers. Free delivery via DHL.
View all rubs Jamaican Jerk Rub · 100g