Traditional Navajo Fry Bread
Experience the rich and versatile heritage of Native American cuisine with this Traditional Navajo Fry Bread recipe. This delightful flatbread has a crispy exterior and a soft, chewy interior, making it a beloved staple at pow wows and community gatherings. Fry bread serves as a canvas for both sweet and savory toppings — from the classic duo of butter and honey to hearty taco fillings for an Indian taco. Its origins date back to the nineteenth century, symbolizing inter-tribal unity and resilience. Whether you choose to fill it, top it, or enjoy it plain with a comforting bowl of soup or stew, this fry bread will add a unique touch to any meal. Follow this easy step-by-step guide to create your deliciously authentic fry bread from scratch.
N/A
Servings
167
Calories
5
Ingredients
Ingredients
Oil
2 cups (for frying, heated to 365°F)
All-purpose flour
4 cups (sifted)
Baking powder
3 tablespoons (sifted)
Salt
2 tablespoons (or reduced as needed)
Warm milk
2 1/2 cups (more or less as needed)
Instructions
1
Heat the oil in a heavy large frying pan over medium-high heat until it reaches 365°F (185°C). You can test the oil temperature by dropping in a small piece of dough; if it sizzles and rises to the surface, the oil is ready.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. *Note: If you're reducing salt intake, consider halving the amount of salt in this step.
3
Gradually pour in the warm milk, mixing it into the dry ingredients until it forms a soft dough. Adjust the milk as necessary to achieve the right consistency.
4
Once the dough has come together, cover the bowl with a cloth and let it rest in a warm spot for 10 to 15 minutes. This allows the dough to rise slightly and become pliable.
5
After resting, divide the dough by breaking off golf ball-sized pieces. Using your hands, pat each piece into a flat disc no thicker than 1/4 inch.
6
Carefully place 2 to 3 of the flat dough pieces into the hot oil. When bubbles form and they start to float, flip them over using a slotted spoon.
7
Fry until they turn a light golden brown on each side, which should take about 1-2 minutes per side depending on heat.
8
Once cooked, remove the fry bread from the oil and let them drain on paper towels. Keep them covered in a bowl to stay warm while frying the remaining pieces.
9
If you'd like to make larger pieces, simply flatten them to the same thickness and fry one at a time.
Nutrition Information
10g
Fat
20g
Carbs
3g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Traditional Navajo Fry Bread?
It is a versatile Native American flatbread with a crispy exterior and soft, chewy interior, traditionally served at pow wows and community gatherings.
What are the main ingredients for this recipe?
The recipe requires all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, warm milk, and oil for frying.
What is the ideal oil temperature for frying?
The oil should be heated in a heavy frying pan until it reaches 365 degrees Fahrenheit (185 degrees Celsius).
How can I test if the oil is ready without a thermometer?
You can drop a small piece of dough into the oil; if it sizzles and rises to the surface immediately, the oil is ready.
Should I sift the dry ingredients?
Yes, the recipe recommends using sifted all-purpose flour and baking powder for the best results.
Can I reduce the salt in this recipe?
Yes, if you are monitoring your salt intake, you can consider halving the 2 tablespoons of salt mentioned in the ingredients.
How should I mix the milk into the flour?
Gradually pour the warm milk into the dry ingredients, mixing until it forms a soft dough, adjusting the amount of milk as needed for consistency.
How long does the dough need to rest?
The dough should be covered with a cloth and left to rest in a warm spot for 10 to 15 minutes.
Why is the resting period important?
Allowing the dough to rest helps it rise slightly and ensures it becomes pliable and easy to work with.
How do I shape the fry bread?
Divide the dough into golf ball-sized pieces and pat each piece with your hands into a flat disc no thicker than 1/4 inch.
How many pieces of dough can I fry at once?
You can carefully place 2 to 3 flat dough pieces into the hot oil at the same time.
When is it time to flip the bread?
Flip the dough over using a slotted spoon once bubbles form and the pieces start to float on the surface of the oil.
How long does it take to fry each side?
Each side typically takes about 1 to 2 minutes to cook, depending on the heat of the oil.
What color should the fry bread be when finished?
The bread should be cooked until it turns a light golden brown on both sides.
How should I drain the excess oil?
Remove the cooked fry bread from the oil and let it drain on paper towels.
How do I keep the bread warm while cooking the rest?
Keep the finished pieces in a covered bowl to maintain their warmth while you fry the remaining dough.
Can I make larger pieces of fry bread?
Yes, simply flatten larger pieces of dough to the same 1/4 inch thickness and fry them one at a time.
What are common sweet toppings for fry bread?
A classic sweet combination is serving the bread with butter and honey.
How can I use fry bread for a savory meal?
Fry bread can be used as a base for hearty taco fillings to create an Indian taco, or served with soup or stew.
What is the historical significance of fry bread?
Dating back to the nineteenth century, fry bread symbolizes inter-tribal unity and resilience within Native American heritage.
How many calories are in a serving?
One serving of this fry bread contains approximately 167 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
There is approximately 10g of fat in each serving.
How many carbohydrates are in this recipe?
Each serving contains about 20g of carbohydrates.
How much protein does the bread provide?
There is approximately 3g of protein per serving.
What kind of pan is recommended for frying?
A heavy large frying pan is recommended to ensure even heat distribution.
What is the texture of the interior?
When cooked correctly, the interior of the Navajo fry bread is soft and chewy.
Is this recipe suitable for beginners?
Yes, the instructions provide an easy step-by-step guide to creating authentic fry bread from scratch.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Associated tags include Indian taco, flatbread, Native American cuisine, and pow wow food.
Does the recipe use water or milk?
This specific traditional recipe uses 2 and a half cups of warm milk to form the dough.
How many ingredients total are in this recipe?
There are 5 total ingredients: oil, all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and warm milk.