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Navajo Fry Bread Recipe

Navajo Fry Bread Recipe


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4.7 from 25 reviews

  • Total Time: 37 minutes
  • Yield: 4 to 6 1x

Description

Navajo Fry Bread brings generations of family memories right to your kitchen, weaving together simple ingredients that tell a story of resilience and comfort. Warm, golden, and perfectly crispy, this bread connects you directly to Native American culinary heritage with each delicious bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cup oil for frying

Supporting Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoons salt
  • ¾ cup warm water

Optional Toppings:

  • Ground beef
  • Beans
  • Cheese
  • Honey
  • Powdered sugar
  • Cinnamon sugar

Instructions

  1. Gather 4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, and ½ teaspoon salt in a spacious mixing bowl. Whisk these dry ingredients until thoroughly combined.
  2. Gradually introduce ¾ cup warm water into the flour mixture, stirring continuously until a soft, slightly ragged dough emerges. Add tiny amounts of extra water if the texture feels too dry.
  3. Transfer the dough onto a lightly dusted work surface. Gently knead for 2-3 minutes, maintaining a delicate touch to ensure a tender texture. Stop kneading once the dough appears smooth and elastic.
  4. Shield the dough with a clean kitchen towel and allow it to rest undisturbed for 30 minutes at room temperature. This pause helps relax the gluten and improve the bread’s texture.
  5. Divide the rested dough into 6 equal portions. Using your hands or a rolling pin, stretch each piece into a circular shape approximately ¼ inch thick.
  6. Pour 2 cups of oil into a deep skillet, heating to 350°F. The oil should shimmer and appear slightly rippled when ready for frying.
  7. Carefully slide one dough round into the hot oil. Watch for immediate puffing, which indicates proper temperature. Fry for 60 seconds on each side until achieving a golden-brown, crispy exterior.
  8. Remove the fried bread using tongs and place on paper towels to absorb excess oil. Serve immediately while warm and crisp.

Notes

  • Work the dough gently to keep the texture tender and avoid tough bread.
  • Let the dough rest for 30 minutes to relax the gluten and make shaping easier.
  • Check the oil temperature with a small piece of dough to ensure perfect frying.
  • Serve fresh and warm for the best texture and flavor, as fry bread doesn’t keep well.
  • Prep Time: 35 minutes
  • Cook Time: 2 minutes
  • Category: Fried
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Native American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4 to 6
  • Calories: 295
  • Sugar: 0.2 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 50 g
  • Fiber: 1.5 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg