Mandazi Fried Doughnuts with Cardamom and Coconut Milk
Fluffy Kenyan mandazi doughnuts subtly flavored with cardamom and coconut milk, perfect for a sweet snack or breakfast. This African-inspired recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, layers all-purpose flour, granulated 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.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cardamom
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 large egg
- enough for 2 inches depth vegetable oil for frying
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp ground cardamom, and 1/2 tsp salt until combined.
- Step 2: In a separate bowl, beat 1 large egg with 1 cup coconut milk. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture, stirring with a wooden spoon until a soft dough forms. Knead lightly on a floured surface for 3 minutes until smooth.
- Step 3: Roll the dough out to 1/2-inch thickness and cut into diamond or triangle shapes using a sharp knife or pizza cutter.
- Step 4: Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C), ensuring at least 2 inches depth for frying.
- Step 5: Fry the mandazi pieces in batches for 2-3 minutes per side, turning until golden brown and puffed. Use a slotted spoon to transfer to paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Step 6: Serve warm as a sweet treat or breakfast accompaniment with tea or coffee.









