Mandazi (Omani Cardamom Fried Bread)
Local name: ماندازي
In short: Soft, lightly sweet fried dough triangles scented with cardamom and coconut milk, puffed and golden, eaten warm with sweet tea. It takes about 45 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Resting
- 20 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 440 kcal
Mandazi are soft, lightly sweet fried breads eaten across Oman and along the East African coast. In Oman the dough is scented with cardamom and mixed with coconut milk, rolled out, cut into triangles and fried until puffed and golden. They are eaten warm at breakfast or in the afternoon with sweet tea, and the dough is easy to make in big batches for guests.
Instructions
- Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, cardamom, salt and desiccated coconut, if using, in a large bowl.
- In a jug, beat the egg with the coconut milk and 2 tbsp oil. Pour it into the flour and mix to a soft dough. Knead for 3 minutes until smooth. Cover and rest for 20 minutes.
- Roll the dough on a floured surface to an even thickness of 1 cm (1/2 in). Cut it into 5 cm (2 in) squares, then cut each square in half diagonally to make triangles.
- Heat the frying oil in a deep pan to 175°C (350°F).
- Fry 5 or 6 pieces at a time for about 2 minutes per side, until puffed and deep golden. Drain on paper towels.
- Serve warm with sweet tea.
Tips
- Keep the oil at 175°C (350°F). If it is too hot, the mandazi brown before the center cooks, and if it is too cool they soak up oil.
- Roll the dough to an even 1 cm (1/2 in) so every piece puffs the same. Brush the warm pieces with a little honey for extra shine and sweetness.
Questions and answers
Can I make mandazi dough ahead of time?
Yes. Wrap the dough and chill it for up to 24 hours, then let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before rolling and frying.
Can I bake mandazi instead of frying them?
You can. Brush the triangles with oil and bake at 200°C (400°F) for 15 to 18 minutes, but the result is closer to a soft scone than a fried bread.
How do I store leftover mandazi?
Keep them in an airtight container for 2 days. Reheat them in a 160°C (325°F) oven for 5 minutes to bring back the crisp outside.
How long does it take to make Mandazi (Omani Cardamom Fried Bread)?
About 45 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Mandazi (Omani Cardamom Fried Bread)?
About 440 kcal per serving, with 8 g of protein, 60 g of carbohydrates and 19 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 440 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 8 g |
| Carbohydrates | 60 g |
| Fat | 19 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 13 g |
| Sodium | 330 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
