4.9 from 144 votes
Mandazi (African Donuts)
Mandazi are lightly spiced, triangular African donuts with a soft and fluffy texture inside and a golden, slightly crispy exterior. They are made by combining yeast and baking powder with warm milk, sugar, and aromatic spices like cinnamon and cardamom, then deep-fried until golden brown. The dough is rolled thin and cut into triangles before frying, producing tender fried treats that absorb just enough oil for flavor without greasiness. Mandazi can be enjoyed warm, offering a comforting mildly sweet fried bread ideal for breakfast or as a snack with tea or coffee.
Prep Time
1 hr 30 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
1 hr 55 mins
Servings:
4
people
Course:
Breakfast, Appetizer
Cuisine:
African
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp instant yeast
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cardamom
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 5 tbsp sugar
- 1 cup milk lukewarm
- ½ cup water
- 1 egg
- cooking oil for frying
Instructions
- Place lukewarm water in a bowl then add the yeast to it. Set aside for 5 minutes.
- Add sugar, egg, milk and stir well. Add the flour 1 cup at a time, cinnamon, cardamom and salt then stir to form a dough, that comes together and is easily handled.
- Knead the dough for about 5 minutes, until it is soft and smooth.
- Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let the dough rest for about 10 minutes.
- Flour a board then form dough into a board and place on it. Roll out into a rectangle that is ¼ inch thick. Cut the rolled out dough into squares then cut the squares across into triangles.
- Let the cut-out dough rest for 20 minutes.
- Heat the oil for frying in a deep skillet over medium-high heat.
- Flatten each triangle dough with your hands and gently place into the hot oil.
- Fry the mandazi for about 2 minutes per side, or until golden brown.
- Remove from the oil and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain the excess oil.
- Serve warm. Enjoy!
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