Makara (Central African Fried Bread)
In short: Soft yeast dough shaped into small ovals and deep-fried until golden, eaten warm with coffee or tea, or alongside beans and sauce. It takes about 55 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Resting
- 1 h 15 min
- Total
- 55 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 385 kcal
Makara is the fried bread sold by roadside vendors across the Central African Republic. A simple yeast dough, only lightly sweetened, is shaped into small ovals and deep-fried until puffed and golden. The inside is soft and a little chewy, the outside crisp. Makara are eaten at breakfast with sweet coffee or tea, or as a snack, and they also soak up the sauce from a plate of beans.
Instructions
- Mix the flour, yeast, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Add the warm water and the 1 tablespoon of oil and stir to a soft, sticky dough.
- Knead on a floured surface for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and leave in a warm place for 1 hour, until doubled.
- Divide the dough into 12 pieces. Shape each into an oval about 1 cm (1/2 in) thick and rest on a floured tray for 15 minutes.
- Heat the frying oil in a deep pot to 175°C (350°F). A small piece of dough should rise and bubble within a few seconds.
- Fry 3 or 4 pieces at a time for 2 to 3 minutes per side until puffed and deep golden. Turn them once.
- Lift out with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Serve warm.
Tips
- The dough should be soft and slightly sticky. Too much extra flour makes dense, heavy makara.
- Fry in small batches and keep the oil at 175°C (350°F). If the oil cools, the dough absorbs too much.
Questions and answers
How is makara different from a doughnut?
It is less sweet and has no filling or glaze. It is eaten like bread, with coffee or tea, or with savory food.
Can I make the dough the day before?
Yes. After kneading, refrigerate it in an oiled bowl overnight and shape it straight from the fridge.
Can I bake makara instead?
You can bake the shaped dough at 200°C (400°F) for 15 to 18 minutes, but it will be like a plain bread roll, not fried makara.
How long does it take to make Makara (Central African Fried Bread)?
About 55 min in total: 30 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Makara (Central African Fried Bread)?
About 385 kcal per serving, with 7 g of protein, 59 g of carbohydrates and 12 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 385 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 7 g |
| Carbohydrates | 59 g |
| Fat | 12 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 380 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
