Name: Mini Cinnamon Mandazi
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 20 mini mandazi
Cuisine: East African
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/4 cup sugar; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; Pinch of salt; 1 egg; 3/4 cup coconut milk (or regular milk); 1 tablespoon butter or margarine, melted; Oil for frying; Extra sugar and cinnamon for coating

Happy Sunday! I always look foward to Sunday mornings because I get inspired to make delicious breakfast without having to worry about time. Lately I'm having mandazi cravings, after that yummy orange mandazi, I still want more. Every body loved that orange flavour in mandazi plus the vibrant color. Today I wanted to add spices to get that warm sweet spiciness. Have you ever tried those recipes that are usually at the back of food packets? I always see them and just brush off, but today I decided hmmmm, what's the worse that could happen? Nothing went wrong, in fact these mandazi were delicious that my sisters were eating them before I finished cooking them. So this recipe has been inspired by the back of my mandazi flour packet with every detail followed. Have you ever tried a recipe from a food packet?

INGREDIENTS

2 Cups Mandazi Flour
1 Teaspoon Sugar
1 Large Egg
3/4 Cup Milk
1 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
3 Cups Vegetable Oil for Frying

METHOD

Add ground cinnamon to large bowl

Add sugar

Add pinch of salt

Whisk the dry ingredients until well combined

Pour milk into the large egg

Whisk the egg and milk until completely mixed

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients

Start mixing the mandazi dough with a spatula

Mix until the dough starts to come together

Knead dough until you have a rough dough

Sprinkle flour onto your work surface

Use your hands to knead the dough for 8-10 minutes

Until you get a smooth dough

Cover with clean kitchen towel to rest 20 minutes

Knead a few seconds after resting

Divide dough into four equal pieces

Roll out into 1/4 inch rectangle shape

Use knife to cut lengthwise then across to get squares and some triangles

Finish all the dough, cover and rest for 15 minutes

Heat oil in deep heavy pan. To test if oil is ready, drop a small piece of dough into the oil. If it sizzles to the top quickly then the oil is ready

Add the dough a few pieces at a time

Immediately they float use a metal spoon to turn them

Add a few more if there is still some space left

Allow one side to cook until starting to brown

Flip regularly so that all the sides are cooked evenly

The mandazi should be golden brown on both sides

Take out of the oil using a slotted spoon that will allow excess oil to drain back to the pan

Place the cooked mandazi in a sufuria as you cook the rest

Delicious mini cinnamon mandazi ready for breakfast

Depending on the size of the mandazi you rolled out you will get thick or medium fleshed mandazi

These are best served with tea, coffee or eaten as a snack

These small sized cinnamon mandazi were so delicious I devoured so many and I still wanted more 🙈🙈

Are you team hollow mandazi...

Or team fleshy mandazi?

Recipe inspiration

MINI CINNAMON MANDAZI

Recipe by Mulunga Alukwe

Prep time: 15 Minutes

Cook time: 30 Minutes

Total time: 45 Minutes

Yield: 20 Mandazi

Ingredients

2 Cups Mandazi Flour
1 Teaspoon Sugar
1 Egg
3/4 Cup Milk
1 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
3 Cups Vegetable Oil for frying

Cooking Directions

Add ground cinnamon to large bowl. Add sugar. Add pinch of salt. Whisk the dry ingredients until well combined
Pour milk into the large egg. Whisk the egg and milk until completely mixed. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Start mixing the mandazi dough with a spatula. Mix until the dough starts to come together. Knead dough until you have a rough dough
Sprinkle flour onto your work surface. Use your hands to knead the dough for 8-10 minutes. Until you get a smooth dough. Cover with clean kitchen towel to rest 20 minutes. Knead a few seconds after resting. Divide dough into four equal pieces. Roll out into 1/4 inch rectangle shape. Use knife to cut lengthwise then across to get squares and some triangles. Finish all the dough, cover and rest for 15 minutes
Heat oil in deep heavy pan. To test if oil is ready, drop a small piece of dough into the oil. If it sizzles to the top quickly then the oil is ready. Add the dough a few pieces at a time. Immediately they float use a metal spoon to turn them
Add a few more if there is still some space left. Allow one side to cook until starting to brown. Flip regularly so that all the sides are cooked evenly. The mandazi should be golden brown on both sides
Take out of the oil using a slotted spoon that will allow excess oil to drain back to the pan. Place the cooked mandazi in a sufuria as you cook the rest
Delicious mini cinnamon mandazi ready for breakfast. Depending on the size of the mandazi you rolled out you will get thick or medium fleshed mandazi. These are best served with tea, coffee or eaten as a snack

Cinnamon Mandazi – FAQs

1. What are mandazi?

Mandazi are East African fried doughnuts, lightly sweet and fluffy, often flavored with coconut milk and spices like cardamom or cinnamon.

2. How does cinnamon enhance mandazi?

Cinnamon adds a warm, sweet-spicy flavor that complements the dough’s mild sweetness and enhances the aroma.

3. Can mandazi be baked instead of fried?

Yes, baking is a healthier alternative though they won’t be as crispy or rich as fried mandazi.

4. Are mandazi vegan?

Traditional mandazi include eggs and milk, but you can make vegan versions by substituting with plant-based milk and egg replacers.

5. How should mandazi be stored?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 1–2 days. They can also be frozen and reheated.

Nutrition Card – Approx. per mandazi (60g)

Nutrient	Amount	% Daily Value (DV)	Notes
Calories	180–220 kcal	—	Depends on size and frying oil
Protein	3–4 g	6–8%	From flour, eggs, and milk
Carbohydrates	25–30 g	8–10%	From flour and sugar
Sugars	5–8 g	—	Added sugar and cinnamon
Fat	7–10 g	11–15%	From frying oil and dough ingredients
Fiber	1–2 g	4–8%	Depends on flour type

Dietary Compatibility & Notes

Diet Type	Compatible?	Suggestions
Vegetarian	✅ Yes	Traditional recipe includes eggs and milk
Vegan	✅ With modifications	Use plant-based milk and egg replacers
Gluten-Free	❌ No	Contains wheat flour
Dairy-Free	✅ With modifications	Use plant-based milk and vegan butter/oil
Nut-Free	✅ Yes	Nut-free unless added

Serving Tip:

Enjoy cinnamon mandazi with a cup of tea or coffee, or dip them in honey or fruit jam for extra sweetness.

Please note that these values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes used. For precise nutritional information, consider using a nutrition calculator with exact ingredient measurements.

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