Cooking · Zimbabwean recipes
Maputi (Roasted Maize Snack)
Dried maize kernels dry-roasted in a pan until they pop and crisp — the Zimbabwean popcorn.
Prep
5 min
Cook
15 min
Serves
4
Approx. kcal
~290
Maputi are dried maize kernels that have been popped or roasted dry in a pan or over an open fire. Unlike the soft, fully-puffed popcorn most non-Zimbabweans know, classic maputi keep a satisfying tooth — chewy in the centre, crisp at the edges. They are bagged at every roadside in Zimbabwe and eaten on long journeys, at football matches and as bar snacks.
Ingredients
- 300g dried maize kernels (mealie kernels, not popcorn variety)
- Coarse salt to taste
- A pinch of sugar (optional, traditional in some recipes)
Method
- Heat a heavy, dry cast-iron pan over medium heat until very hot. No oil.
- Add a single layer of maize kernels — don't crowd. Cover loosely with a lid (some will pop, others won't).
- Shake the pan continuously to keep the kernels moving. After 8-10 minutes they will start to puff, brown and crackle. Some will pop, some will simply turn golden and chewy. Both are 'maputi'.
- When the popping slows and the kernels are nutty-brown, tip onto a tray to cool.
- While still warm, toss with coarse salt to taste. Some cooks add a tiny pinch of sugar for the salt-sweet contrast.
- Store in an airtight tin. They stay crisp for a week.
About this dish
Maputi is a snack of the working day, sold by the cup at urban traffic lights, bus stations and rural market gates. The kernels are sometimes mixed with dried groundnuts or coated with caramel ('maputi ne shuga') for a treat version. Closely related to West African 'aadun' and Mexican esquites.
Sources & further reading
- Calorie estimate: per-ingredient kcal table (USDA-derived), divided by serves. Approximate — varies with portion size and exact ingredients used.
- Cultural context and method are editorial, based on widely-documented Zimbabwean home cooking. Last reviewed 2026-08-20.
Have a family variation that we missed? Email [email protected] — we credit contributors.
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