Description
Mandazi are light, fluffy East African donuts flavored with warm cardamom and cinnamon. Fried until golden and delicious, they make a wonderful breakfast, snack, or dessert served with tea or coffee.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- ½ cup warm water, about 110°F
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup coconut milk
- ½ cup sugar
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- Powdered sugar, for serving
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the yeast and warm water. Stir and let it sit for about 5 minutes until the yeast dissolves.
- Add the flour, salt, cardamom, and cinnamon to a large mixing bowl and combine.
- Add the vegetable oil, egg, coconut milk, sugar, and yeast mixture.
- Mix with a dough hook until a soft dough forms. Add a little extra flour if the dough is too sticky.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise for about 1 hour.
- Heat 2–3 inches of vegetable oil in a deep pan to about 350°F.
- Divide the dough into about 6 portions. Roll each portion to approximately 1 cm thick.
- Cut the dough into triangles or your preferred shapes.
- Fry the Mandazi in batches without overcrowding the pan.
- Cook on both sides until golden brown and cooked through.
- Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess oil.
- Repeat with the remaining dough and dust the finished Mandazi with powdered sugar.
Notes
- Serve Mandazi warm or at room temperature with tea, coffee, or hot chocolate.
- Dust with powdered sugar just before serving for extra sweetness.
- Serve with honey, jam, chocolate spread, or fruit preserves.
- For a traditional-inspired snack, enjoy them alongside spiced tea.
- Store cooled Mandazi in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- For longer storage, refrigerate them in a sealed container for up to 4 days.
- Reheat briefly in the microwave or oven before serving.
- Mandazi can also be frozen in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Thaw and gently reheat before serving.