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Fry Bread

7 reviews
Test Kitchen Approved
Total Time

Prep: 5 min. + standing Cook: 5 min.

Makes

2 servings

Updated: Jun. 30, 2023
While taking a trip to the Grand Canyon, my family drove through the Navajo reservation and stopped at a little cafe for dinner. I complimented the young waiter on the delicious Indian fry bread and he gave me the recipe. It is very easy to make. —Mildred Stephenson, Hartselle, Alabama
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Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/3 cup hot water
  • Oil for deep-fat frying
  • Optional Seasoned Taco Meat, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, chopped tomatoes, sliced jalapeno pepper and shredded lettuce

Directions

  1. In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt; stir in hot water to form a soft dough. Cover and let stand for 30 minutes.
  2. Divide dough in half. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion into a 6-in. circle.
  3. In an electric skillet, heat 1 in. of oil to 375°. Fry bread in hot oil for 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown; drain on paper towels. Serve with desired toppings.
Fry Bread Tips

Who invented fry bread?

Fry bread is a round, fried dough native to the Navajo people. Navajo fry bread was created more than 100 years ago, when the United States forced Native Americans living in Arizona to make a 300-mile journey—known as the Long Walk—and relocate to New Mexico, onto land that couldn't easily support their traditional staples of vegetables and beans. To prevent these indigenous populations from starving, the government gave them canned goods, as well as white flour, processed sugar and lard—the makings of fry bread. Different tribes have different preparations—including sweet fry bread—but fry bread is typically savory.

How do you make fry bread puffy?

In this recipe, baking powder gives the fry bread its puffy, pillow-like texture. Other tribes may use yeast or starters to leaven their dough. Many Native American households mix fry bread dough in the morning, cover it with a cloth and leave it to leaven until needed.

Why is my fry bread hard?

Fry bread may be tough because of overkneading or overmixing. (Here’s how to avoid overkneaded dough.) Another culprit may be frying the dough in oil that’s too cold.

How long does fry bread last? (Can you make it ahead of time?)

Fry bread is best eaten fresh, but you can freeze it and reheat it if you wrap it well. To reheat, wrap the bread in foil and bake it in a 375° oven for 10 to 15 minutes or until hot to the touch. Then open the foil and heat for 5 minutes to crisp it slightly. Serve fry bread with these Southwestern skillet recipes.

—Maggie Knoebel, Taste of Home Associate Recipe Editor/Test Cook

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 285 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 349mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein.