Where does Mandazi come from?

Mandazi — country of origin: Kenya.

What is Mandazi made of?

Flour, coconut milk, sugar, cardamom, baking powder, frying oil.

How do you pronounce Mandazi?

Mandazi (Swahili) is pronounced /manˈdazi/.

Mandazi

Pronunciation (IPA) /manˈdazi/

A lightly sweet, spiced fried dough from East Africa, eaten mostly at breakfast with tea and also made in Tanzania.

Also known as: Maandazi · Kenyan doughnut · East African doughnut

Allergens & declarations

Contains

Cereals (gluten)

Wheat

Contains cereals and gluten-containing products

This describes the classic recipe, so you know what to ask about. It is not a declaration for any particular kitchen — recipes and suppliers vary, and only the restaurant can tell you what is in the dish it serves.

In detail

Mandazi is a lightly sweet, spiced fried dough from East Africa, usually eaten at breakfast with tea. It is one of the best-known snacks of Kenya and is also made in Tanzania, where it is eaten in much the same way. The dough is flavoured with coconut milk and cardamom, then fried until golden and puffed. Vendors sell it from stalls and bakeries, and many families make it at home.

What it really is

Mandazi is made from wheat flour, coconut milk, sugar, cardamom and baking powder. The dough is rolled out, cut into pieces, often triangles, and deep-fried in oil until golden. The baking powder lifts the dough so it puffs in the hot oil and stays soft inside. The sweetness is gentle, and the cardamom gives it its scent. It is a plain fried dough rather than a cake, and it is usually not filled or glazed.

How it's served

Warm or at room temperature, in small pieces, with a cup of sweet milky tea.
On a plate at breakfast, or as an afternoon snack.
Eaten by hand, often dipped into the tea.

Name the dish as mandazi and say that it is deep-fried, not baked.
Flag wheat, since the dough is made from wheat flour. If your recipe uses milk or egg, flag those too.
List coconut milk, cardamom and sugar, since they define the flavour guests expect.
Say how it is sold, by piece or by a portion of several, and whether it is served with tea.

Typical ingredients

Put it on your menu with Menuella

Frequently asked questions

What is Mandazi?: A lightly sweet, spiced fried dough from East Africa, eaten mostly at breakfast with tea and also made in Tanzania.
Where does Mandazi come from?: Mandazi — country of origin: Kenya.
What is Mandazi made of?: Flour, coconut milk, sugar, cardamom, baking powder, frying oil.
Which allergens does Mandazi contain?: Contains cereals and gluten-containing products.
What is Mandazi also known as?: Maandazi, Kenyan doughnut, East African doughnut.
How do you pronounce Mandazi?: Mandazi (Swahili) is pronounced /manˈdazi/. Select the speaker button next to the dish name to hear it.