What excites me about this easy mandazi recipe is freshly grated coconut, cardamom, and nutmeg. I was never a fan of cardamom until I tried this recipe. Now, it’s a pantry staple, and, in the right recipe, it’s delicious. Mandazi might not be figure-friendly, but boy is it a delightful indulgence. That’s why I have three (now four) recipes: OG mandazi, soft mini mandazi, and baked mandazi. This easy mandazi is the super quick yeast-free version with self-rising flour or baking powder and is ready in no time. Can I get a thumbs-up? Thank you. 😜
Recipe Ingredients
How to Make Easy Mandazi Without Yeast
Make the Dough
Dry Ingredients – Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, sugar, cardamom, and nutmeg in a large bowl. (Photo 1) Wet Ingredients – Gently add the liquid ingredients: eggs, butter, and milk. Combine until the mixture comes together and the dough is smooth. (Photos 2-3) Roll out the dough into a 1-inch thick rectangle. Cut into bite-sized pieces or triangles like in the picture. (Photos 4-5)
Fry the Mandazi
Heat Oil – Add vegetable oil to a large saucepan until it’s at least three inches deep (about 5 centimeters). Too little oil will result in flatter mandazi. Heat over medium until it’s 350℉ (180℃). Fry the mandazi until golden brown, 3-5 minutes, depending on the size. (Photo 6) Serve – Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel. Serve warm.
Recipe Variations
Tips and Tricks
Make-Ahead Instructions
Like most fried foods, these mandazis taste best fresh out of the frying pan. To save time, make the dough the night before, cover it, and keep it in the fridge. Then bring it to room temperature before you fry it the next day.
Serving and Storage Instructions
Serve mandazi warm, dusted with cinnamon sugar, or drizzled with caramel sauce. Refrigerate leftover mandazis in a sealed container for up to 3 days. For best results, reheat them a bit before finishing them off. I like using the toaster oven or air fryer, but a few seconds in the microwave would also work.
What Goes With Easy Mandazi
This African snack goes beautifully with a chai latte, but you could also serve it with cold drinks, like a blended Thai iced coffee. Dipping them in caramel sauce or drizzling them with luscious rum sauce is heavenly. 😇
More Addictive African Pastry Recipes to Try
This blog post was originally published in February 2015 and has been updated with additional tips and beautiful photos
