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Finding Delicious Malasadas on the Big Island

Big Island Guide Travel Guide

You Really Need to Try Malasadas, Hawaii’s Favorite Fried Treat

A holdover from Portuguese explorers who frequented Hawaiian ports throughout the 19th century, locals who inhabit the islands today have taken the fried treat known as malasadas and created something uniquely Hawaiian that no visitor should miss.

Consisting of flour, yeast, eggs, milk, butter, and sugar, there’s no real nutritional benefit to a malasada (let alone 2 or 3 – they can be addicting), but for a morning pick me up, an after lunch treat or dinner dessert, these deep-fried balls of delight are a perfect answer to a nagging sweet tooth. Most places in Hawaii offer a variety of fillings and toppings to customize the flavor to your liking. The coconut or lilikoi filling with powdered sugar is an island favorite.

Because many Portuguese immigrants to Hawaii worked in or near sugarcane plantations, the access to sugar was easy and immediate. Traditionally a dessert served for Fat Tuesday in preparation for Lent, the Hawaiian version of malasadas have taken ownership of Shrove Tuesday (the day before Ash Wednesday, seven weeks before Easter), which is known throughout the islands as Malasada Day.

If you’re seeking out this delicious doughy ball of goodness, your best opportunity to check out the widest variety of malasadas is on Malasada Day. Credited with establishing modern Malasada Day, Leonard’s Bakery in Honolulu is the most popular destination for malasadas on its special day, but there are special events, street festivals, and food trucks throughout Hawaii’s Big Island where you can get your hands on a variety of excellent malasadas and compare notes for next time.

Manuela Malasada Co Food Trucks
65-1148 Mamalahoa Hwy
Waimea, HI 96743
or
Queen K Hwy near Puako Beach Drive

Punalu’u Bake Shop
HI – Route 11
Naalehu, HI 96772

Tex Drive In
45-690 Pakalana St
Honokaa, HI 96727