🇹🇿 Tanzanian / Swahili · Swahili & Coastal Cuisine
🍩 Zanzibar Mahamri
Mahamri ya Zanzibar
Zanzibar Mahamri — the island's definitive version of the Swahili coconut doughnut. Made with pure thick Zanzibar coconut milk, double cardamom, and a resting period that produces a lighter, more fragrant result than mainland mahamri. Eaten with mbaazi wa Nazi every morning in Zanzibar.
Zanzibar mahamri are distinguished from mainland mahamri by the higher ratio of coconut milk (no water), the more generous cardamom, and the longer rest period. Made from Zanzibar's own fresh coconut milk, they are richer, more fragrant, and more golden than any other version.
Ingredients
Equipment: Mixing bowl, Rolling pin, Deep frying pan
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 1.5 tsp ground cardamom
- ½ tsp salt
- 300ml thick fresh coconut milk
- 1 egg
- ½ tsp rose water — optional
- Oil for deep frying
Method
- Mix flour, baking powder, sugar, cardamom, and salt.
- Beat egg into warm coconut milk. Add rose water if using.
- Pour into dry ingredients. Mix to a soft, slightly tacky dough — add more coconut milk if needed.
- Knead 5 minutes until smooth.
- Cover and rest 60—90 minutes.
- Roll to 1cm thickness. Cut into triangles.
- Fry at 170°C for 3—4 minutes per batch, turning, until deeply golden.
- Drain. Serve warm.
Chef Tips
- Pure coconut milk — no water — is what makes Zanzibar mahamri.
- Double cardamom compared to mainland mahamri.
- Longer rest produces a lighter result.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Diluting with water.
- Insufficient cardamom.
- Too high frying temperature.
The Science
See TZA006 for mahamri cooking science.
Nutrition (per serving)
Health Benefits
- Coconut milk provides MCTs.
Cultural Note
Zanzibar mahamri are the gold standard of this Swahili doughnut — richer, more fragrant, and more golden than any version made elsewhere. They are the mahamri that all other mahamri aspire to be.
Storage & Serving
Storage: Best eaten fresh. Store 2 days.
Reheating: Warm in oven at 150°C.
Serve with: Mbaazi wa Nazi (TZA131), Chai ya Tangawizi, Fresh Mango