Cardamom Spiced Mandazi

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.

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

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

Recipe by Mulunga Alukwe

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

Cooking Directions

1. Add yeast to bowl with flour. Add pinch salt, ground cardamom, sugar. Mix the dry ingredients well
2. 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
3. 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
4. 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
5. 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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