Mandazi Coconut Doughnuts with Cardamom Sugar

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-08 · Updated 2026-06-08

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Sweet Kenyan fried doughnuts infused with coconut milk and warm cardamom, dusted with spiced sugar for a perfect breakfast treat. This African-inspired recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, layers all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 8, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 15 min Serves 8 African cuisine 220 cal/serving

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Ingredients

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cardamom
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup coconut milk
1 large egg
3 tbsp plus more for frying vegetable oil
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cardamom

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Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tbsp baking powder, 1 tsp ground cardamom, and 1/2 tsp salt until evenly combined.
Step 2: In a separate bowl, beat 1 large egg with 3/4 cup coconut milk and 3 tbsp vegetable oil until smooth. Pour wet ingredients into dry and stir gently until just combined into a soft dough; do not overmix.
Step 3: Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead lightly for 1-2 minutes. Roll into a 1/2-inch thick rectangle and cut into 2-inch triangles or diamonds.
Step 4: Heat about 3 inches of vegetable oil in a deep pot to 350°F. Fry doughnuts in batches for 2-3 minutes per side until puffed and golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
Step 5: Mix 1/2 cup powdered sugar with 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon and 1/4 tsp ground cardamom in a shallow bowl. While still warm, roll each mandazi in the spiced sugar to coat.
Step 6: Serve these fragrant mandazi warm as a sweet breakfast or snack inspired by Kenyan flavors.