The Perfect Mandazi: A Step-By-Step Baking Guide

Mandazi, also known as the Swahili Bun or Swahili Coconut Doughnut, is a form of fried dough food/bread that originated on the Swahili Coast. It is one of the principal desserts in the cuisine of Africans who inhabit the Great Lakes located in Kenya, East Africa. Mandazi is usually eaten with tea or coffee and is best served warm for breakfast or as a snack. In this article, we will take you through a step-by-step guide on how to bake the perfect mandazi.

Mixing the ingredients

To make mandazi, also known as the Swahili Bun or Swahili Coconut Doughnut, you'll need to mix together all the ingredients to form a soft dough. Here's a detailed guide on mixing the ingredients for baking mandazi:

Firstly, ensure all your ingredients are at room temperature. This includes the wet and dry ingredients. This step is important as it helps the ingredients combine more effectively and creates a consistent dough.

For the dry ingredients, start by mixing together the flour, baking powder, and any spices you plan to use, such as allspice, cardamom, or cinnamon. You can also add a pinch of salt to enhance the other flavours. Mix these ingredients thoroughly in a large bowl. If you're using yeast instead of baking powder, make sure to activate it by adding it to warm water with a pinch of sugar. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy before adding it to the dry mixture.

Next, add the liquid ingredients. This includes eggs, butter or oil, milk or coconut milk, and sugar. Beat the eggs and add them to the dry mixture. Cut in the butter or oil and sugar, and combine until the mixture starts to come together. You can use a fork or a whisk for this step, or even a stand mixer if you have one. Gradually add the milk or coconut milk and continue mixing until you have a soft dough. If using yeast, add the yeast mixture now and mix well.

At this point, you can also add any additional mix-ins like shredded coconut, ground peanuts or almonds, or a combination of these. You can also substitute some of the milk with pineapple, orange, or lemon juice for a hint of citrus flavour.

Once all the ingredients are combined, you should have a soft, slightly sticky dough. If the dough is too sticky, you can add a little more flour. On the other hand, if it's too hard, add a small amount of water to soften it. Remember, it's better to add less flour than more to achieve the perfect consistency.

Now you're ready to roll out the dough and cut it into your desired shape. Mandazi are traditionally cut into triangles, but you can also use a circular donut cutter for a more classic donut shape.

Kneading the dough

Once you've mixed all the ingredients together, it's time to knead the dough. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and begin to knead. The aim is to fully incorporate all the ingredients and achieve a soft dough that is not too sticky. You may need to gradually add the remaining flour while kneading—do so sparingly, as it's better to have a dough that's a little sticky than one that's too tough. Keep kneading the dough until it feels smooth, which should take around 1-2 minutes.

Once you've finished kneading, it's time to let the dough rise. Place the dough in a greased bowl and turn it once to coat. Cover the bowl loosely with a clean cloth and find a warm, draft-free spot for it to rest. The dough needs to rise until it has doubled in size, which should take around 1-2 hours. However, don't be concerned if it takes longer, as this can depend on the temperature and conditions of your kitchen. If your dough is struggling to rise, try turning your oven on for 10 minutes, then turn it off and let the dough rise inside.

After the dough has risen, you can start shaping and frying your mandazi. Roll out the dough to a thickness of around 1 inch, then cut it into bite-sized pieces or triangles. Heat enough vegetable oil in a large saucepan to deep fry the mandazi—the oil should be at least 3 inches deep to ensure the mandazi puff up nicely. Fry the mandazi in the hot oil until they are golden brown on both sides, which should take around 3-5 minutes. Finally, remove the mandazi from the oil and drain them on paper towels. Serve warm, and enjoy!

Shaping the mandazi

Now, you can cut the dough into your desired shape. Traditionally, mandazi are cut into triangles, but you can also use a circular donut cutter to make them into the shape of traditional doughnuts. You can also cut them into any shape you like—it's up to your preference!

If you want to get creative, you can even use different-sized cookie cutters to make fun shapes. Just remember that the mandazi will expand a little when fried, so leave some space between the shapes when cutting.

Once you have cut your mandazi into the desired shapes, it's time to fry them. Heat some vegetable oil in a large saucepan to about 350°F (180°C). You'll need at least 3 inches of oil to ensure the mandazi puff up nicely. Carefully place the mandazi into the hot oil and fry until they are golden brown on both sides. This should take around 3-5 minutes, depending on their size.

And that's it! You now have perfectly shaped and fried mandazi. Enjoy them warm, and don't forget to sprinkle some powdered sugar on top or shake them in a bag with some white sugar for an extra sweet treat!

Frying the mandazi

Preparing the Oil:

Firstly, ensure you are using a neutral-tasting oil with a high smoke point. Vegetable oil is a suitable choice. Pour the oil into a large saucepan to a depth of at least three inches (or about five centimeters). This depth is crucial to ensure the mandazi rise and expand during frying, resulting in a fluffy texture. Heat the oil over medium heat until it reaches a temperature of 350°F (180°C).

Frying Process:

Once the oil is heated to the correct temperature, it's time to start frying. Carefully place the cut mandazi dough into the hot oil. Fry the mandazi until they achieve a golden brown color on all sides. This should take approximately 3-5 minutes, depending on the size of your mandazi. Use a slotted spoon or a similar utensil to carefully remove the fried mandazi from the oil. Place them on paper towels or newspaper to drain any excess oil.

Serving Suggestions:

Mandazi are best served warm. You can enhance their flavor by sprinkling some powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar over the hot mandazi. For a more indulgent treat, dip them in caramel sauce or drizzle them with rum sauce. Mandazi are traditionally enjoyed with tea (chai) or coffee, making them an ideal breakfast or snack option.

Storage Instructions:

If you have any leftover mandazi, store them in a sealed container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 3 days. To enjoy them again, simply reheat them in a toaster oven, air fryer, or microwave for a few seconds before serving.

Serving the mandazi

Mandazi is best served warm. You can dust it with cinnamon sugar or drizzle caramel sauce on top. You can also put some white sugar into a bag with a couple of mandazi and shake the bag to coat them with sugar.

Mandazi is usually eaten with tea or coffee for breakfast or as a snack.

Leftover mandazi can be stored in a sealed container for up to 3 days. To reheat, use a toaster oven or air fryer, or put them in the microwave for a few seconds.

Frequently asked questions