The easiest fry bread dough recipe you'll ever find has been in the family for generations! This soft dough is fried to golden brown perfection and is crispy on the outside but soft on the inside. They're delicious all on their own or as a sweet or savory base.
Fry bread is perfect for a savory Navajo Tacos Dinner, or a sweet treat when finished with sweet toppings like maple syrup, honey butter, melted butter, homemade jam, powdered sugar, or cinnamon sugar!
This recipe makes the same fry bread that they use at county fairs and fall festivals in funnel cake! It's also called Indian fry bread, Navajo fry bread, and Scones... Either way, they're delicious!
Tools You May Need
Paper towels.
Hot Oil - I like to use Avocado oil or coconut oil because they have a high smoke point and don't burn (or go bad) at high temperatures. But you can use canola oil or vegetable oil.
A large bowl - Or a large mixing bowl for a stand mixer with a dough hook.
Plastic wrap - To cover the dough while it's resting.
A rolling pin. - To roll out dough balls with.
Wooden Spoon - To lightly mix the flour mixture with warm water.
A dutch oven - Or large frying pan, or deep fryer.
Simple Ingredients
- All-purpose Flour - You could also use whole-grain flour.
- Salt - nothing fancy, just your regular salt.
- Warm Water
- Baking Powder
How To Make Easy Fry Bread Recipe
To Make the DOUGH.
Mix together sifted flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
Add your hot water to the flour mixture.
Mix with your hands until dough forms (your dough should be a little bit sticky).
Cover the dough in your bowl with plastic wrap and let it rest for at least 10 minutes at room temperature.
Do NOT over-mix your dough! If you over-mix your fry bread dough, it overdevelops the gluten in the flour and it becomes tough, making hard or tough chewy bread.
PREP Your Frying Pan
While the dough is resting, pour an inch of oil into a large frying pan or dutch oven, and heat over MEDIUM heat.
Tip - Your oil should be at about 350 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer when ready to start frying the dough.
*Optional - You can also use an electric frying pan set at 350 degrees F.
Roll out DOUGH
On a lightly floured work surface, Cut dough into equal pieces about 1.5 to 2-inch x 2-inch pieces, and roll them into dough balls. Use a rolling pin to roll each dough ball till it's about a 6-7 inch circle (they'll be thin).
FRYYour Bread Dough
Fry each piece of dough in hot oil until it poofs up (let the dough rise as it cooks) and becomes golden brown (about 20 seconds).
Then gently flip it in the oil (so the oil does not splash) and fry the other side till golden.
Remove from oil and place on a paper towel-lined plate so excess oil gets absorbed.
ENJOY topped with taco ingredients or as a dessert with sweet treats like sugars, syrups, or honey butter!
What is the best oil to fry dough in?
The best oils to use have a high smoke point. My favorite oils to use for drying dough are Coconut oil and avocado oil. But you can also use Canola, sunflower, and grapeseed oils that all have high smoke points.
Just do NOT use flax or olive oil as they have low smoke points. High smoke point oils can be heated very high without smoking.
How Do You Keep Fried Dough Crispy?
The best way to keep fried dough bread crispy is to put fried bread on a cooling rack that is set on top of a baking sheet with paper towels on it. Then put this whole setup into a 180-degree F oven. Just keep adding the fry dough bread to the rack after you cook them.
Fry Bread Toppings
- Taco toppings like ground beef, tomatoes, chili, shredded lettuce & cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and pico de gallo.
- HONEY BUTTER!
- Homemade strawberry freezer jam!
- Butter and Powdered Sugar.
- Maple Frosting (think maple bar doughnut)
If you made this frybread recipe, Please Let me know in the comments below! What are your favorite toppings?
Using an Air Fryer
You can use an air fryer to cook the rolled-out dough for a healthier version of homemade fry bread. Place pre-made dough onto the air fryer shelf and cook at 400 degrees F for about 7 minutes (till golden brown)!
How To Store Fry Bread Dough
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
Recipe Card
If you try this recipe and love it, I’d love if you give it 5 stars!Tag me on Instagram @farmhouse_harvest with your delicious creation!
Fry Bread Dough
Yield: 8
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Crispy outside and soft inside this fry bread is perfect sweet or savory!
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- One teaspoon salt
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 - 2 cups oil for frying
Instructions
1. Mix together sifted flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Add your hot water to the flour mixture. Mix with your hands until dough forms (your dough should be a little bit sticky). Cover the dough in your bowl with plastic wrap and let it rest for at least 10 mins.
2. Pour an inch of oil into a large frying pan or dutch oven, and heat over MEDIUM heat.
3. On a lightly floured work surface, Cut dough into equal pieces about 1.5 to 2-inch x 2-inch pieces and roll them into dough balls. Use a rolling pin to roll each dough ball till it's about a 6-7 inch circle
4. Fry each piece of dough in hot oil until it poofs up (let the dough rise as it cooks) and becomes golden brown (about 20 seconds). Then gently flip it in the oil (so the oil does not splash) and fry the other side till golden.
5. Remove from oil and place on a paper towel-lined plate
6. Top & Enjoy!
Did you make this recipe?
Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram
Let me know what your favorite way to make fry bread is and how you like to top them!
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