Description
Traditional Indian Fry Bread is a simple and delicious homemade fried bread recipe, perfect for creating Navajo Tacos or enjoying as a snack. This recipe combines basic pantry ingredients to create soft, golden, and crispy fry bread that can be topped with a variety of sweet or savory toppings.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons milk
Other
- Vegetable oil for frying (enough for at least 1 inch depth in pan)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the milk gradually and stir until the dough begins to come together and ball up. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead gently, being careful not to overwork it. Once kneaded, return the dough to the bowl and cover it, then chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to rest.
- Heat the Oil: In a deep frying pan or kettle, heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). Ensure the oil is at least one inch deep to allow for proper frying of the dough discs.
- Shape the Dough: Divide the chilled dough into four equal parts. On a lightly floured surface, pat and roll each piece into a disc approximately the size of a baseball and about 1/4 inch thick. Poke a hole in the center of each disc with your finger or a knife to help the bread fry evenly and stay flat.
- Fry the Bread: Carefully place each dough disc into the hot oil. Fry until the bottom side is golden brown, about 1-2 minutes, then flip and fry the other side until golden brown. The total frying time is approximately 3 minutes, depending on oil temperature and thickness of the dough.
- Drain and Serve: Remove the fry bread from the oil and place on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil. Serve warm, topped with your favorite sweet or savory toppings, or use as a base for Navajo Tacos by adding beans, meat, vegetables, and sauces.
Notes
- Do not over-knead the dough to ensure the fry bread remains light and fluffy.
- Maintain the oil temperature at 350°F for best frying results; too hot oil will burn the bread and too cool oil will make it greasy.
- Fry bread can be enjoyed with a variety of toppings such as powdered sugar, honey, or savory taco toppings.
- Use a thermometer to monitor oil temperature accurately.
- Store leftover fry bread wrapped in foil and reheat in a toaster oven or skillet for best texture.
