When it comes to Mandazi, I love them fluffy and soft and, I love having them warm with marsala tea. Adding cardamom spice to your mandazi makes them so delicious since cardamom is fragrant with a touch of earthiness.
INGREDIENTS4 Cups All Purpose Flour
1 1/2 Teaspoon Instant Active Yeast
4 Tablespoons Butter
6 Tablespoons Sugar
Pinch Salt
4 Tablespoons Ground Cardamom
METHOD
Add yeast to bowl with flour
Add pinch salt
Add ground cardamom
Add sugar
All set
Mix the dry ingredients well
Add warm butter milk mixture
Start mixing with spatula
Add more little milk at a time
Start kneading with your hands
Knead to a soft rough dough
Pour in 3 tablespoon vegetable oil
Cover dough with kitchen towel place in warm place to rise for 1 hour
Dough doubled in size
Divide dough into four pieces
Roll one of the pieces into 1/4 inch thickness
Use glass to cut out round shapes
Finish all the dough
Heat oil on medium high heat, start adding the dough pieces
Do not over crowd the dough pieces so that they can cook evenly
Allow them to sizzle to the top
Once they float, flip the mandazi dough, press down so that they puff up as they cook
Fry until they turn golden brown
Flip the mandazis to cook second side until golden brown
Take the mandazi out of the oil, drain off excess and set aside
Finish cooking all the mandazi pieces
Serve the mandazi warm
Fluffy soft mandazi that is delicious
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CARDAMOM SPICED MANDAZI
Prep time: 20 Minutes
Cook time: 45 Minutes
Total time: 1 Hour 15 Minutes
Yield: 20 Mandazi Pieces
Ingredients
- 4 Cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 1/2 Teaspoon Instant Active Yeast
- 4 Tablespoons Butter
- 6 Tablespoons Sugar
- Pinch Salt
- 4 Tablespoons Ground Cardamom
- Add yeast to bowl with flour. Add pinch salt, ground cardamom, sugar. Mix the dry ingredients well
- Add warm butter milk mixture, start mixing with spatula add more little milk at a time. Start kneading with your hands, knead to a soft rough dough. Pour in the bowl 3 tablespoon vegetable oil, smear on the dough all sides. Cover dough with kitchen towel place in warm place to rise for 1 hour
- Once dough has doubled in size, divide dough into four pieces. Roll one of the pieces into 1/4 inch thickness. Use glass to cut out round shapes, finish all the dough
- Heat oil on medium high heat, start adding the dough pieces. Do not over crowd the dough pieces so that they can cook evenly. Allow them to sizzle to the top. Once they float, flip the mandazi dough, press down so that they puff up as they cook. Fry until they turn golden brown
- Flip the mandazi to cook second side until golden brown. Take the mandazi out of the oil, drain off excess and set aside. Finish cooking all the mandazi pieces. Serve the mandazi warm. Fluffy soft mandazi
Cardamom-Spiced Mandazi – FAQs
1. What is Mandazi?
Mandazi is a popular East African fried pastry, often referred to as “African doughnuts.” They’re lightly sweetened, fluffy inside, and golden on the outside—perfect with tea or coffee.
2. How is it flavored?
This version uses ground cardamom for a warm, floral spice. You can also include:
- Coconut milk (optional)
- A touch of nutmeg or vanilla (for extra depth)
3. Is Mandazi the same as a doughnut?
Not quite. Mandazi is:
- Less sweet than most doughnuts
- Often triangle- or oval-shaped, not ring-shaped
- Can be served plain or dusted with powdered sugar
4. Can I make it without dairy?
Yes! Mandazi can be made with coconut milk or plant-based milk. Use oil instead of butter if needed.
5. How do I serve them?
Enjoy warm with:
- Tea or coffee (like chai or Kenyan tea)
- Honey, jam, or dusted sugar
- As a sweet snack or breakfast treat
Nutrition Card – Approx. per 1 piece (medium-sized)
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value (DV) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 180–220 kcal | — | Varies by size/oil absorption |
| Carbohydrates | 20–25 g | 7–9% | Mainly from flour and sugar |
| Sugars | 4–6 g | — | Lightly sweet |
| Protein | 2–4 g | — | From flour and milk |
| Fat | 8–12 g | 12–18% | Mostly from frying oil |
| Fiber | 0.5–1.5 g | 2–6% | Use whole wheat for more fiber |
| Sodium | Low–Moderate | Can be adjusted | |
| Iron | Small amounts | From enriched flour |
Dietary Compatibility & Tips
| Diet Type | Compatible? | Tips & Swaps |
|---|---|---|
| Vegetarian | ✅ Yes | Traditional recipe is meat-free |
| Vegan | ✅ With swaps | Use coconut milk and skip eggs if included |
| Gluten-Free | ❌ Not by default | Try a GF flour blend with xanthan gum |
| Dairy-Free | ✅ With swaps | Use non-dairy milk like coconut or almond |
| Nut-Free | ✅ Yes | Ensure milk is nut-free |
| Low-Sugar | ✅ With tweaks | Reduce or skip sugar and avoid dusting sugar |
Tips for Perfect Mandazi:
- Let dough rise well to get that fluffy interior
- Use freshly ground cardamom for maximum aroma
- Fry in moderate heat oil—not too hot or they’ll brown too quickly
- Mandazi can be stored at room temp for a day or frozen and reheated
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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