Yummy Indian Fry Bread is a flat dough bread fried or deep fried in oil. This simple recipe is made with only a few ingredients and can be served in various ways for a sweet or savory approach. Honey, jam, powdered sugar or topped with fruit is a favorite dessert but don’t forget about Navajo Tacos where you pile on your favorite savory toppings for a full meal.
Making this delicious Fry Bread recipe is quick and easy either in the Instant Pot or on the Stove. Let me show you how quick and easy this proven recipe is.
Growing up I was served scones on occasion as a treat with powdered sugar and oh how I loved them.
Never knowing how amazing this delicious Fry Bread could be with savory toppings, I only knew the sweet taste of these scones.
Of course as I got older and being offered a Navajo Taco my eyes were opened to the possibilities! haha…
As much as I love Indian Fry Bread as a sweet treat, I also love when paired with mouth watering beef in a taco sauce piled high with my favorite toppings.
How do you prefer your Indian Fry bread? I’d love to hear!
What Ingredients are in Fry Bread?
- 3 Cups Flour
- 2 tsp Baking Powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1 1/2 cup Hot water
- Oil for frying
How to Cook Indian Fry Bread
Directions for both the Instant Pot and Stove are included in the recipe card below and are both easy to follow and make.
Instant Pot: Heat enough oil to fill bottom of Instant Pot about 1 in. Set Instant Pot to Saute’ and allow oil to get hot.
Instant Pot will read “hot” when it’s ready. Using the palms of your hands press the dough and using your fingertips stretch the dough to form a circle about 3-4 inches in diameter.
Then carefully place in hot oil and allow to fry.
When it’s golden brown on the bottom, flip dough using tongs.
Remember oil will be HOT and can burn if it touches the skin. Remove from oil using tongs and place on paper towels to drain. Serve Hot.
Stove Top: Using a Frying Pan or Cast Iron Skillet fill bottom of pan with oil to fill about 1 inch and allow to get hot over Medium/High heat.
To test, drop a small piece of dough into hot oil. It should bubble. If not allow to heat longer.
Place rounded flattened dough into hot oil and allow to fry on one side until golden brown.
Flip using tongs and fry other side to golden brown. Remove from oil to paper towels to drain.
What is Fry Bread?
Fry bread is a flat dough bread that is deep fried in oil. This simple ingredient recipe is eaten alone or with a variety of toppings from sweet to savory.
Of course there are many variations of Fry Bread depending on where you live.
Fry Bread is Native American and can be made with yeast and cornmeal while other recipes call for lard, shortening or another type of fat.
Flavors and taste come down to personal preference. This is a simple recipe that I can make easily and we love.
Why is my Fry Bread Hard?
Fry Bread will come out hard if you over mix or knead the dough. Mixing or over kneading will develop the gluten too much and result in tough fry bread.
Is Fry Bread the same as Sopapillas?
Both Fry Bread and Sopapillas are traditional fried breads. The main difference is how the dough is prepared prior to being fried. The recipe is the same.
What makes bread fluffy?
When dough bakes carbon dioxide creates bubbles in the bread which make it light and airy.
How to Serve Fry Bread
Trust me, serving Fry Bread is the least of your worries. Having enough Indian Fry Bread on the other hand is always a challenge. It’s just so good.
Served with Powder Sugar and Honey is a perfect snack or treat.
And of course with savory toppings like tender beef in taco seasonings loaded with lettuce, tomato, salsa, sour cream, cheese and avocado is an amazing meal.
How to Reheat Indian Fry Bread
Indian Fry Bread is easy to reheat. Wrap bread in foil and place in oven at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until dough is hot to the touch.
How to make Indian Fry Bread Tacos
Indian Fry Bread is crispy on the outside with a soft and chewy inside.
Fry Bread Tacos, or Navajo Tacos are made with Indian Fry bread and topped with a meat mixture seasoned with Taco Seasonings (cumin, garlic, chili powder) and then all the yummy toppings like lettuce, tomato, salsa, sour cream, cheese, olives, and avocado
What goes on Indian Fry Bread
Indian Fry bread can be served plain, with sweet toppings like Powdered Sugar and honey, or with savory toppings like meat and cheese.
The delicate crispy outside of the fry bread with the soft and chewy inside is completely addicting!
Make it a Sundae!
Just think… Fry Bread tossed in Cinnamon and Sugar and piled with Vanilla Ice Cream and drizzled in caramel and chocolate. Oh yum! Now that’s a dessert I can’t wait to have.
Want more Delicious Savory Recipes like this one? Of course you do. Check these out!
- Fiesta Chicken Casserole
- Homemade Chicken Taquitos
- BBQ Chicken Tostadas
- Cilantro Lime Shrimp Tacos
- Ground Turkey Tacos
- Meatball Enchilada Casserole
- Sweet Salsa Chicken
- Pork Street Tacos
- Chicken Taquitos
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Have a Sweet Tooth? Try these Sweet Recipes!
Indian Fry Bread
Ingredients
- 3 Cups Flour
- 2 tsp Baking Powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1 1/2 cup Hot water
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- In a bowl add flour, baking powder and salt and stir to mix evenly
- Add hot water and stir with a spoon. You can also mix with your hands. Dough will be sticky.
- Form into a ball and allow to sit covered for 45 mins
- Separate dough into 12-16 balls
- Using the palms of your hands and fingertips, press each dough into a circle and work with your fingertips to a thin round circle about 4-5 inches in diameter
- Heat oil in Fry Pan over medium/high heat OR Instant Pot on Saute until it reads “hot”
- Add one piece of bread at a time in hot oil and allow to cook until golden brown and then flip. About a minute on each side *variable for how hot oil is heated.
- Remove from oil and allow to drain on paper towels.
