Kenyan Mandazi (Fried Coconut Bread)
Sign in to rate this recipe.
The Tale of Kenyan Mandazi (Fried Coconut Bread)
Story updated
Mandazi, East Africa's lightly sweet fried bread, developed on the Swahili coast where Arab, Persian, and later Portuguese traders passed through ports like Mombasa and Zanzibar for over a thousand years. Local cooks adapted Arab fried-dough traditions using coconut milk and cardamom, creating a snack now eaten across Kenya and Tanzania.
Ingredients
Scale:· 10 servings
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- Oil, for deep frying
Instructions
- 1Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and cardamom in a large bowl.
- 2Whisk together coconut milk, egg, and melted butter, then combine with the dry ingredients into a soft dough.
- 3Knead briefly until smooth, cover, and rest 20 minutes.
- 4Roll the dough out to about 1/2-inch thick and cut into triangles or squares.
- 5Heat oil to 325°F (165°C) in a deep pot.
- 6Fry the mandazi in batches, turning occasionally, until puffed and golden brown, about 4-5 minutes.
- 7Drain on paper towels and serve warm.
Want Cook Mode, your own recipe photos, and unlimited calculators?
Get Home Cooking ProComments
Loading comments…
Sign in to leave a comment.