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Easy Ma Hwa / Mahua 麻花 (Chinese Twisted Fried Dough)

written by Marvellina Updated: January 18, 2022
10K
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Learn how to make this old-school Chinese crispy snack known as ma hwa/mahua. The dough is shaped and then fried and coated with crystallized sugar. It is easy and fun to make.
Easy Ma Hwa / Mahua 麻花 (Chinese Twisted Fried Dough)

What is ma hwa/mahua ?

Ma hwa is basically a twisted-shaped lightly sweetened dough fried until crispy and sometimes coated with crystallized sugar. In Indonesia,we call this Kue Untir Untir or kue tambang. Untir means twisted. Most Chinese will tell you that they grow up with ma hwa as a snack when they were kids. It’s one of those foods that makes you feel nostalgic.

Ingredients

If you take a look at the ingredients, they are what most people usually would have in their pantry.
1. All-purpose flour
You can also use bread flour
2. Egg
I use large egg, about 58-60 grams with the shell
3. Baking powder
Baking powder is the leavener and helps to puff up the ma hwa
4. Baking soda
Baking soda is also the leavener in this recipe to maximize the flavor and the rise. Do not omit. It also helps to brown the dough during frying
5. Sugar
I usually use granulated sugar. You can also use caster sugar or other sugar substitute of your choice
6. Water
Water is added to help the dough comes together
Easy Ma Hwa / Mahua 麻花 (Chinese Twisted Fried Dough)

How to make easy ma hwa from scratch

1. Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, and sugar in a mixing bowl. Whisk to combine

2. Add beaten egg and 1/2 Tbsp of water. Knead into a dough. If it feels too dry, add a bit of water, teaspoon by teaspoon. The dough won’t be smooth



3. Wrap it with plastic wrap and rest for 1 hour

4. Dust your work surface and rolling pin with some flour

5. Roll it out to about 1/4-inch thick (about 5-6 mm). Make it as square or rectangle as you can, it doesn’t have to be perfect. Dust with some flour as needed if the dough gets a bit sticky.

6. Use a pizza cutter or a bench scraper or a knife to cut the dough into about 3/4-inch (about 2 cm) wide. You will get some shorter ones at both ends. Keep the dough covered and work with one at a time

7. Take one dough and roll into about 14 inches (about 35 cm) long strip.

8. Fold into half

9. While holding one end with your fingers, twist the other end

10. Then twist again on its length

11. Tuck the tail into one of the loop and lightly press to seal the end. Repeat with the rest of the dough


12. Keep the shaped dough covered. Rest for 15 minutes before frying

13. Preheat about 2 inches of oil over low heat. The oil should be just warm and not sizzling hot. If you stick a skewer in the oil and there are bubbles around it, the oil is too hot. When ready to fry, put about 4-5 dough

14. Fry slowly until they start to turn golden brown slightly

15. Then you can increase the heat to medium and fry until they are golden brown and crispy. Remember to fry in batches, as the ma hwa will puff up

16. Put the fried ma hwa on absorbent paper towel and repeat with the rest. Let the ma hwa cools down completely if you want to frost them with sugar


17. Put sugar and water in a large skillet or pan over medium-low heat. Bring to a simmer. You will see bubbles and sugar will start to get thicken. If you pick up a bit of the sugar with a spatula and touch it with your finger, it will be sticky

18. Add the fried ma hwa and keep stirring over medium-low heat to evenly coat the fried dough with the sugar. The sugar will gradually turn white and crystallize into sand grains texture


19. Remove from the heat and transfer to a baking sheet or a large plate lined with parchment paper. Let them cool down completely. They will harden into crispy fried dough
Easy Ma Hwa / Mahua 麻花 (Chinese Twisted Fried Dough)

Can I air-fry instead of deep-frying?

I have tried to air fry ma hwa by lightly coat the dough with a bit of oil and then fry at 350 F for 5 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. The ma hwa doesn’t puff as much compred to deep-frying, so it’s a bit denser in texture compared to fried version.

Did you make this easy ma hwa/mahua recipe?

I love it when you guys snap a photo and tag to show me what you’ve made 🙂 Simply tag me @WhatToCookToday #WhatToCookToday on Instagram and I’ll be sure to stop by and take a peek for real!
Easy Ma Hwa / Mahua 麻花 (Chinese Twisted Fried Dough)

Easy Ma Hwa / Mahua 麻花 (Chinese Twisted Fried Dough)

Ma Hwa / Mahua 麻花 / Kue Untir Untir (Chinese Twisted Fried Dough)

Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Resting the dough: 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 45 minutes mins
Servings 20 pieces (depends on the size)
5 from 4 reviews
REVIEW & RATE PRINT

Ingredients

  • 150 gr all-purpose flour plus more for dusting
  • 40 gr sugar
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ⅛ tsp baking soda
  • 1 large egg lightly beaten, about 60 grams with shell
  • ½ Tbsp Water or as needed
  • Cooking oil for deep-frying

Crystallized sugar (optional):

  • 60 gr sugar
  • 30 ml water

Instructions
 

Prepare the dough:

  • Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, and sugar in a mixing bowl. Whisk to combine
  • Add beaten egg and 1/2 Tbsp of water. Knead into a dough. If it feels too dry, add a bit of water, teaspoon by teaspoon. The dough won't be smooth. Wrap it with plastic wrap and rest for 1 hour

Shaping:

  • Dust your work surface and rolling pin with some flour. Roll it out to about 1/4-inch thick (about 5-6 mm). Make it as square or rectangle as you can, it doesn't have to be perfect. Dust with some flour as needed if the dough gets a bit sticky. Use a pizza cutter or a bench scraper or a knife to cut the dough into about 3/4-inch (about 2 cm) wide. You will get some shorter ones at both ends. Keep the dough covered and work with one at a time
  • Take one dough and roll into about 14 inches (about 35 cm) long strip. Fold into half. While holding one end with your fingers, twist the other end and then twist again on its length. Tuck the tail into the loop and lightly press to seal the end. Repeat with the rest of the dough. Keep the shaped dough covered and rest for 15 minutes before frying

Frying:

  • Preheat about 2 inches of oil over low heat. The oil should be just warm and not sizzling hot. If you stick a skewer in the oil and there are bubbles around it, the oil is too hot. When ready to fry, put about 4-5 dough and fry slowly until they start to turn golden brown slightly, then you can increase the heat to medium and fry until they are golden brown and crispy. Remember to fry in batches, as the ma hwa will puff up
  • Put the fried ma hwa on absorbent paper towel and repeat with the rest. Let the ma hwa cools down completely if you want to frost them with sugar

Frost ma hwa with crystallized sugar:

  • Put sugar and water in a large skillet or pan over medium-low heat. Bring to a simmer. You will see bubbles and sugar will start to get thicken. If you pick up a bit of the sugar with spatula and touch it with your finger, it will be sticky. Add the fried ma hwa and keep stirring over medium-low heat to evenly coat the fried dough with the sugar. The sugar will gradually turn white and crystallize into sand grains texture
  • Remove from the heat and transfer to a baking sheet or a large plate lined with parchment paper. Let them cool down completely. They will harden into crispy fried dough

Storing:

  • Store in an air-tight container for about a week or so

*Nutrition facts are just estimates and calculated using online tools*

Nutrition Facts
Ma Hwa / Mahua 麻花 / Kue Untir Untir (Chinese Twisted Fried Dough)
Serving Size
 
1 piece
Amount per Serving
Calories
57
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
1
g
2
%
Saturated Fat
 
1
g
6
%
Trans Fat
 
1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Cholesterol
 
9
mg
3
%
Sodium
 
22
mg
1
%
Potassium
 
12
mg
0
%
Carbohydrates
 
11
g
4
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
5
g
6
%
Protein
 
1
g
2
%
Vitamin A
 
14
IU
0
%
Calcium
 
9
mg
1
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Did you make this recipe?Let me know how you like this recipe and consider rating it! Tag me @whattocooktoday I'd love to see your photos/videos on Instagram
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