Would you call yourself a fan of donuts? What about beignets? Or maybe you’re a big fan of all types of bread. If any of these apply to you, a food you might be interested in is Mandazi.
Mandazi is a fried bread which is often compared to a slightly sweet donut or beignet. It’s not very sweet, but it has a faint hint of sugar and cardamom. For those looking for a sweeter version of the donut, you can sprinkle powdered sugar on top. Mandazi is usually eaten for breakfast, but can also be eaten as a snack or with more savory dishes such as curry. While generally accepted as a Kenyan dessert, Mandazi also has its roots in Uganda, Tanzania, and the Swahili Coast. It’s also often compared to other similar foods such as the Nigerian “puff puff” or Ghanaian “bofrot.”
For anyone looking to try Mandazi themselves there’s both good news and bad news; the bad news is that there aren’t really any options for those looking to buy Mandazi themselves. Unfortunately, your best bet is trying to catch them at cultural celebrations or reaching out to African organizations which host events. The good news, though, is that Mandazi is very easy to make yourself!
Anyone who’s interested in trying their hand in the kitchen can easily make Mandazi themselves. A quick search on google will offer you dozens of options for recipes to make mandazi, but we’re linking a good recipe to start with here for anyone unsure of where to start. For everyone who makes the donut we hope you enjoy, and here’s a little tip for when you’re done: sprinkle powdered sugar and honey on top while they’re still warm!
