11/03/2026
Mahamri are sweet, triangular East African fried dough pockets flavored with coconut milk and cardamom. They are a staple along the Swahili coast, typically served hot for breakfast or as a snack alongside spiced tea or mbaazi (pigeon peas in coconut curry).
Ingredients
• All-purpose flour: 3 cups (approx. 450g)
• Instant or active dry yeast: 1 tsp (or up to 1 tbsp depending on rise time)
• Sugar: ¼ to ⅓ cup (about 4–6 tbsp, adjusted to taste)
• Ground cardamom: 1 tsp (freshly ground is best)
• Coconut milk: 1 cup (full-fat, warm)
• Butter or ghee: 1 to 2 tbsp (softened or melted)
• Salt: A small pinch (½ tsp)
• Oil: For deep frying
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Activate the Yeast & Mix
• In a small bowl, combine the warm coconut milk with a pinch of the sugar and the yeast. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until it becomes frothy, confirming the yeast is active.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, the rest of the sugar, ground cardamom, and salt.
2. Knead the Dough
• Pour the yeast-coconut mixture and the softened butter (or ghee) into the dry ingredients.
• Mix and knead by hand for 10 to 15 minutes (or about 8 minutes using a stand mixer with a dough hook) until the dough is smooth, soft, and slightly elastic.
3. First Rise
• Lightly oil a bowl, place the dough inside, cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1.5 to 2 hours (or until doubled in size).
4. Shape and Cut
• Punch down the risen dough to release the air.
• Divide the dough into smaller equal balls.
• Take each ball and roll it out into a circle (about ¼-to-½ inch thick).
• Use a knife or pizza cutter to slice each circle into 4 triangles.
• Let the cut triangles rest covered for another 15 to 20 minutes.
5. Deep Fry
• Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or skillet over medium heat (about 325°F–350°F / 175°C).
• Carefully slide the triangles into the hot oil. Fry for 1 to 2 minutes per side, gently turning them until they puff up, turn hollow, and reach a golden-brown color.
• Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
You can explore detailed measurements and visual steps on Mayuri's Jikoni or Judy Wanderi's Kitchen.
Watch a helpful step-by-step visual guide on preparing and frying mahamri at home:
9:33
Mahamri Recipe | Step-by-Step Guide to Making Authentic Mahamri | Infoods
4.1K views · 3 years ago
YouTube · Infoods Specials
Would you like ideas for what savory stews or curries to pair with your mahamri, or do you need tips for making the center extra hollow?
Mayuri's Jikoni
Mahamri - Mayuri's Jikoni
Definition: Mahamri is a triangular or round, fried Kenyan coastal bread similar to a doughnut, flavored with thick coconut milk and cardamom powder. Pairings: ...
judywanderi.net
Mahamri – A Kenyan snack infused with coconut & cardamom.
Origin: Kenyan coastal region street food, breakfast or accompaniment to lentils, grilled meats, legumes, and chai. Ingredients: Plain flour (4 cups), sugar (8 ...
YouTube·Infoods Specials
9m
Mahamri Recipe | Soft & Fluffy East African Donuts | Infoods
YouTube·Chef Raphael
5:43
Tasty But Simple Mahamri Recipe
YouTube·Infoods Specials
10:14
Simple Mahamri Recipe at Home | Infoods
TikTok·yun_aturkana
1:53
Soft Fluffy Mahamri Recipe at Home | Coconut Milk ...
Kaluhi's Kitchen
Mahamri
Ingredients: 1/4 cup sugar, 1 cup coconut milk, 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp yeast, 1 tsp freshly ground toasted cardamom (iliki). Yields 16 pieces. Method: ...
Vanessa Mehri
Addictive Pillows of Joy (Mahamri) • Swahili Food by Vanessa
Dish: Mahamri (Swahili cuisine, popular in Mombasa, Kenya); served as a breakfast dish or snack, traditionally accompanied by mbaazi wa n**i (pigeon peas in coc...
Bon Appétit: Recipes, Cooking, Entertaining, Restaurants | Bon Appétit
Mandazi (Mahamri) Recipe | Bon Appétit
Origin: Swahili Coast of East Africa; commonly called mahamri when made with coconut milk. Description: Mildly sweet, hollow, triangular fried dough pockets, cr...
YouTube·Infoods Specials
9:33
Mahamri Recipe | Step-by-Step Guide to Making Authentic Mahamri | Infoods
YouTube·Angela cook's
7m
How To Cook Mahamri/Mahamri Recipe With Coconut Milk!Super ...
Cookpad
Soft And Sweet Mahamri Recipe by Jennifer Gitahi - Cookpad
Recipe: Soft and Sweet Mahamri by Jennifer Gitahi Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes; Yields: 5 servings Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp dry yeast, 6 tbs...
www.youtube.com
BEST MAHAMRI| / MANDAZI RECIPE WITH MASALA CHAI
into the bowl. open one satchet of active dry yeast which is about 1 tbsp empted half a teaspoon salt 1/3 cup of sugar a heaping teaspoon of our masala. using a...
www.youtube.com
Get the perfect Mahamri/Mandazi with this easy recipe!
the first step in getting perfect mahame is to make sure that you have fresh yeast or you're using fresh yeast that is very important to getting good results at...
YouTube·Chef D Wainaina
9m
BEST MAHAMRI| / MANDAZI RECIPE WITH MASALA CHAI
Memoirs of a Kenyan Mom Abroad is a self-preservation blog chronicling life and career abroad, motherhood and racial dynamics.
