Soft Mini Mandzi – East African doughnuts made with grated coconut, spiced with cardamon, nutmeg, and fried to perfection. So I guess it is no secret that I love fried dough, you can tell by all puff-puffs, and doughnuts that I have featured here on this blog. Not to talk of this other Mandazi featured here. I am SUPER excited to present this one – Soft Mini Mandazi. Man, you are going to love this! Mandazi is a slightly sweet East African Street Food; spicy, airy yeast doughnut made with coconut milk, flavored with cardamom and grated fresh coconut/coconut flakes It can be made with yeast or baking powder. However, I love the depth of flavor that yeast adds to this dough, so my first choice is yeast; unless you need a quick fix – then replace the yeast with baking powder and let it rest for 10 minutes before frying. Trust me. I have been reading your comments and emails about mandazi and a lot of your complains have been about them being too tough or stringy after a while. Folks, rejoice, because this is not! They are bite size, tender and AMAZINGLY good. Don’t believe me? Make it and see for yourself. Before you make these addictive bites, here are some tips to keep in mind before you proceed. Make sure the water is not too hot. You don’t want it warmer than body temp. In order for your mandazi to be fluffy, it has to double in size; be patient with it (it might take longer for some days depending on weather and the internal temperature of your kitchen). If your mandazi does not rise in an hour, try turning on the oven to warm for 10 minutes. Then, turn it off and let the dough rise in the oven.
If all else fails, mix rapid rise yeast into the dough and knead it. You may switch out evaporated milk with coconut milk. It is best to use freshly ground cardamom for this recipe; you get a hint of crushed seeds as you bite into the dough for an enjoyable experience.
Watch How to Make It
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Adja says
Hi dear
Can I make this dough 24 hours before frying? If not how early can I make it please
ImmaculateBites says
You sure can.
Refrigerate the mandazi after you have shaped it. Cover tightly for up to 24 hours. Let them sit out on the counter for about 30 minutes before frying . Hope this helps
Adja says
Thanks a lot, will let you know tomorrow x
Denis says
Can I make them stay lonyer like packaged
Leesa says
Just a suggestion – when proofing yeast, it’s generally a bad idea to put the salt in with it, since the salt will actually kill it! Better to let it proof in the warm water with sugar first, and add the salt later.
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Leesa! Thanks for the tip.
Helen says
I made them and they were divine! Thank you!
ImmaculateBites says
Awesome! Thanks for the feedback!
Daniel says
I love baking for sure thanks for all this.
Tam says
Hi,
I’d like to try your recipe. I’ve made half-cake mandazi and am curious what the texture is of your mini mandazi. Are they cakey or more airy/hollow inside?
ImmaculateBites says
They are airy and definitely not Cakey
Tam says
Thank you! I did try the recipe and they’re tasty. I found that I kept eating them! Mine were slightly chewy, which wasn’t a bad thing. Is that how they’re supposed to be?
ImmaculateBites says
Yes, they are slightly chewy…. Am craving these right now, it’s been a while…
Meow says
Hello, is there something i could replace the coconut flakes in the recipe with? Google suggested dried cranberries or nuts, but im not sure how that will affect the flavor
ImmaculateBites says
Hi !Make it without coconut flakes. If you can’t use it. Cranberries will definitely affect flavor profile .
Meow says
okay, i must confess- i went ahead and made them with cranberries before i got your reply >< next time, i will try to make them without cranberries or coconut, for comparison, but i loved these as well ^^
ImmaculateBites says
Awesome! Glad it worked out well for you.
Paula Bulemi says
What? I couldn’t believe this until I tried and mhhh the result was awesome my bowl was empty in 10 minutes and we were only 5 pple around thanks Imma for the recipe.
ImmaculateBites says
My Pleasure!!!
Yvonne Bamurange says
Where is your shop please? I want to buy mandazi. I am in Glasgow city
ImmaculateBites says
Sorry I do not have a shop.
Kris says
Just made a batch of these for a guest from Tanzania tonight – they turned out delicious!!! Thanks for sharing your recipe 🙂
ImmaculateBites says
AWESOME! Thanks for the feedback!!!
Rose says
Hi can you mix the dough and leave it overnight to rise?
ImmaculateBites says
No, I would lest it rise first . Then shape and freeze. When ready to make. Bring to room temperature and fry.
Mulondo Sylivia says
Thanks for the receip. I would like to have the receip of Bagiya and daddies
ImmaculateBites says
Sorry as of now I do not have those recipes.
kibirige ken says
Hopfuly l will make it concs
Lyndsay Fischer says
We made these for my daughter’s geography fair tonight–my daughter chose Kenya. While many others has displays that were works of art, her food was by far the best! Thanks for a great, easy recipe!
ImmaculateBites says
AWESOME! Who cares about works of art anyways. It’s all about how food taste. So happy to hear this. And thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us.
Shiks says
Wow! i just tried to do it,but my mandazi is not soft at all,What can be the reason
ImmaculateBites says
Probably the measurements and/ or yeast. Did it double before you fried them? If this happens again then add about a tablespoon of butter and go from there. Hope this helps
Beatrice says
Thax am gonna try it out
ImmaculateBites says
Do let me know how it works out for you. Thanks
Lucy says
Thanks Immaculate for the recipe……how can i make my Mandazi becomes softer…Thank you.