It is one of the principal dishes in the cuisine of the Swahili people who inhabit the Coastal Region of Kenya and Tanzania.

[2][3] The dish is popular in the region, as it is convenient to make, can be eaten with almost any food or dips or just as a snack by itself, and can be saved and reheated for later consumption.

However, they are typically less sweet than the United States style of doughnuts and are usually served without any glazing or frosting.

The ingredients typically used to make mandazi include water, sugar, flour, yeast, and milk.

[11] Mandazi can also be eaten as a dessert after a meal where it is often served with powdered or cinnamon sugar to add sweetness.