Indian Fry Bread is perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It comes together with only 5 ingredients! It’s the perfect treat dusted with powdered sugar or use it to make Indian Tacos.
Sandwiches are so simple to make at home, and so satisfying when you do! I love recipes like slow cooker Sloppy Joes and my blackened fish sandwich. Homemade bread is a great way to up your sandwich game. Introducing a new receptacle for your favorite fillings: Indian fry bread!
Why This Recipe Works
Indian fry bread has been around for generations! It originated in the Navajo Nation and is enjoyed throughout the US — especially in the Southwest — and it’s so easy to make.
It’s made with simple, everyday pantry ingredients. This fried bread is crispy and crunchy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside! You can pair it with sweet or savory fillings.
I love the idea of serving it as a side with chili, soup, or stew. Or, you can dust it in sugar and cinnamon to create a unique homemade donut. No matter which way you decide to serve yours, you won’t believe how simple it is to make!
Ingredients Needed
- Flour: The key ingredient of all dough recipes! I typically opt for all-purpose flour, but you can make this recipe gluten-free by swapping it out for your favorite GF flour.
- Salt: You’ll need to add some salt to the dough batter for this Indian fry bread recipe. It tightens up the gluten and helps to generally hold everything together.
- Baking Powder: This ingredient ensures that the dough rises. It keeps things soft, light, and fluffy too.
- Vegetable Oil: You need to add some fat to the dough for your fried bread. Vegetable oil enhances the flavor and texture wonderfully. You can also use it for the frying step too.
How to Make Indian Fry Bread
- Create the dough batter. Add the flour, salt, and baking powder to a large mixing bowl and whisk to combine. Add the milk slowly and carefully and continue to mix. Use your hands or a spoon to stir until the dough comes together — it should be very sticky.
- Add the oil & let rest. Drizzle 2-3 tablespoons of vegetable oil over the dough and allow it to rest for 10 minutes. It doesn’t need to rise, but you do need to let it rest for a little while before kneading.
- Knead the dough. Flour your workspace, then pull off 2 inches of the dough. Roll and stretch it with your hands or a rolling pin until it becomes thin. It should be ¼ to ½-inch in thickness. Make a dent in the center of each dough round.
- Prep the frying pan. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of a frying pan (or a heavy-bottomed pot) and pour enough oil into it so that the bottom is covered in about 2 inches of oil. Heat the oil to 350°F.
- Fry the dough. Working with one dough round at a time, place it into the hot oil until it becomes golden. Flip it halfway through to brown the other side. Place each on a paper towel-lined plate to cool while you fry up the rest!
Storage and or Freezing Instructions
- Make-ahead instructions: This Indian fry bread recipe is best made fresh. That said, you can make the dough batter ahead of time and store it in your fridge for up to 2 days. You can also freeze it for up to 1 month if desired.
- Freezing instructions: Make sure to remove any excess oil, then place it in a freezer-safe bag inside your freezer where it will keep for 3-4 months. You can reheat your fried bread in the oven at 350°F. Wrap each piece in aluminum foil and bake for about 15 minutes.
- Storage instructions: Wrap your Indian fry bread in plastic wrap, place it in an airtight container, and store it at room temperature. It will keep for 1-2 days.
Recipe Notes and Tips
- Don’t over-knead. You don’t have to work the dough as much as in other bread recipes. Simply stretch and roll it until it becomes thin as instructed above.
- Choose the oil wisely. Different types of oil have different smoke points. If you don’t want to use vegetable oil, canola or avocado oil are good substitutes.
- Feel free to adjust the thickness. Play around with the thickness of your fried bread, depending on what you plan on using it for. For example, if you want to make tacos, make sure that it’s ¼-inch thick.
FAQS
Is fry bread a Native American food?
It is! This recipe was inspired by the traditional Native American recipe for fried bread. It’s a staple in Native American homes throughout the country.
Is Indian fry bread the same as fried dough?
Yes! This traditional Native American recipe is sometimes referred to as fried dough.
Related Recipes
If you enjoyed this easy recipe, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and a comment below. You can also share a photo and tag me on Instagram using @AimeeMarsLiving and #AimeeMars.
Indian Fry Bread Recipe
Indian Fry Bread is perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It comes together with only 5 ingredients! It's the perfect treat dusted with powdered sugar or use it to make Indian Tacos.
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Servings: 10 pieces of bread
Calories: 206kcal
Equipment
- Candy Thermometer
- Heavy-Bottomed Pot
Ingredients
- 4 cups Flour
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1½ tablespoons Baking Powder
- 1½ cups Milk
- 2 tablespoons Vegetable Oil
- 1 quart Oil
Instructions
- Add the flour, salt, and baking powder to a large mixing bowl and whisk to combine.
- Add the milk slowly and carefully and continue to mix. Use your hands or a spoon to stir until the dough comes together — it should be very sticky.
- Drizzle 2-3 tablespoons of vegetable oil over the dough and allow it to rest for 10 minutes. It doesn’t need to rise, but you do need to let it rest for a little while before kneading.
- Flour your workspace, then pull off 2 inches of the dough. Roll and stretch it with your hands or a rolling pin until it becomes thin. It should be ¼ to ½-inch in thickness. Make a dent in the center of each dough round.
- Attach a candy thermometer to the side of a frying pan (or a heavy-bottomed pot) and pour enough oil into it so that the bottom is covered in about 2 inches of oil. Heat the oil to 350°F.
- Working with one dough round at a time, place it into the hot oil until it becomes golden. Flip it halfway through to brown the other side. Place each on a paper towel-lined plate to cool while you fry up the rest!
Notes
- Don’t over-knead. You don’t have to work the dough as much as in other bread recipes. Simply stretch and roll it until it becomes thin as instructed above.
- Choose the oil wisely. Different types of oil have different smoke points. If you don’t want to use vegetable oil, canola or avocado oil are good substitutes.
- Feel free to adjust the thickness. Play around with the thickness of your fried bread, depending on what you plan on using it for. For example, if you want to make tacos, make sure that it’s ¼-inch thick.
Storage and or Freezing Instructions
- Make-ahead instructions: This Indian fry bread recipe is best made fresh. That said, you can make the dough batter ahead of time and store it in your fridge for up to 2 days. You can also freeze it for up to 1 month if desired.
- Freezing instructions: Make sure to remove any excess oil, then place it in a freezer-safe bag inside your freezer where it will keep for 3-4 months. You can reheat your fried bread in the oven at 350°F. Wrap each piece in aluminum foil and bake for about 15 minutes.
- Storage instructions: Wrap your Indian fry bread in plastic wrap, place it in an airtight container, and store it at room temperature. It will keep for 1-2 days.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 206kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 249mg | Potassium: 290mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 59IU | Calcium: 131mg | Iron: 2mg
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