Dabo Kolo

Elevate your snack game with Dabo Kolo, a beloved Ethiopian treat that's crunchy, spicy, and utterly addictive. Made with simple pantry staples like all-purpose flour, paprika, and cayenne pepper, this bite-sized snack offers a perfect balance of heat and warmth. The dough is shaped into pencil-thin ropes, cut into tiny morsels, and dry-roasted to golden perfection, creating a satisfying crunch in every bite. Traditionally enjoyed with coffee or tea, Dabo Kolo is a flavorful and portable snack that’s perfect for gatherings or as an everyday nibble. With a short prep time and a quick cook, this recipe is an easy way to introduce authentic Ethiopian cuisine to your table.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 300 grams All-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Ground cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 3 tablespoons Vegetable oil
• 120 milliliters Water

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, sugar, salt, ground cayenne pepper, and paprika. Mix well to evenly distribute the dry ingredients.

Step 2

Add the vegetable oil to the dry ingredients and rub it into the flour mixture with your fingers until it resembles breadcrumbs.

Step 3

Slowly add the water, a little at a time, while mixing to form a stiff but smooth dough. If needed, adjust the water slightly, but be careful not to make the dough too soft.

Step 4

Once the dough comes together, knead it briefly until it is uniform in texture. Cover the dough with a clean towel and let it rest for 10 minutes.

Step 5

After resting, divide the dough into 3-4 smaller portions. Roll each portion into a long, thin rope about the thickness of a pencil.

Step 6

Cut the dough ropes into small bite-sized pieces, roughly 1 cm each, and spread them out onto a clean baking tray or plate.

Step 7

Heat a large, dry skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the dough pieces in batches (do not overcrowd the pan) and roast them while stirring frequently with a wooden spoon.

Step 8

Continue cooking the dough pieces in the skillet until they turn golden brown and are crunchy, about 12-15 minutes per batch. Adjust the heat as needed to avoid burning.

Step 9

Remove the roasted Dabo Kolo from the skillet and let them cool completely. Repeat with the remaining batches.

Step 10

Once cooled, store the Dabo Kolo in an airtight container to maintain freshness. Serve as a snack with coffee, tea, or on its own.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(499.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1541.7

Total Fat 42.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 25.2g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2370.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 256.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 9.3g	0%
Total Sugars 26.0g
Protein 31.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 56.5mg	0%
Iron 14.6mg	0%
Potassium 413.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 25.1%

Protein: 8.2%

Carbs: 66.7%