
Fluffy Malagasy rice flour griddle cakes cooked in a special cast-iron mould — a beloved street-food breakfast.
Mofo gasy (literally 'Malagasy bread') are small, round, yeasted cakes made from rice flour and cooked in a cast-iron pan with individual round wells, similar to an aebleskiver or takoyaki pan. They puff up into golden domes, lightly crisp on the outside and airy within. Sold from street stalls every morning across Madagascar, they are eaten plain, with honey, or dunked into a cup of ranovola (burnt-rice water).
Serves 4
Whisk rice flour, yeast, sugar and salt in a bowl. Gradually add warm water, whisking until smooth. Cover and rest 30 minutes until slightly bubbly.
Heat an aebleskiver or takoyaki pan (or a regular non-stick pan for flat cakes) over medium heat. Grease each well with a little oil.
Fill each well two-thirds full with batter. Cook 3–4 minutes until the edges set and bubbles form. Flip carefully and cook 2–3 minutes more until cooked through and golden.
Serve hot with honey, jam or as an accompaniment to tea or coffee.
The batter should be slightly runny — do not over-thicken.
If using a flat pan, make small pancakes about 7 cm across.
Stir a little desiccated coconut into the batter for extra flavour.
Add a pinch of vanilla for a sweeter version.
Best eaten fresh and hot. Leftovers keep 1 day and reheat well in a dry pan.
Mofo gasy emerged as a fusion of rice-based baking traditions from Madagascar's Austronesian settlers with French boulangerie influence introduced during the colonial period.
A dedicated mould gives the classic round shape, but you can make flat version in any non-stick pan.
You can substitute half the rice flour with plain flour, but the authentic texture comes from 100% rice flour.
Per serving (120g) · 4 servings total
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