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 are delicious!
This is one of my husbands’ and kids’ favorite things to eat! It’s such an inexpensive treat (or dinner) that’s also filling and easy to throw together.
For me, it’s nostalgic! I remember having these when I was a kid at campouts… The adults would fry them over a bright flaming fire while we kids played until we got to feast. They were hot, and it was cold out, making this fry bread such a treat for the entire family!
A Few 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.
Fry Bread Recipe Simple Ingredients
This simple dough is made with only 4 ingredients!
- All-purpose Flour – You could also use whole-grain flour.
- 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 will be thin).
FRY Your 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!
Fried Bread Dough Recipe Card
Feel free to print your free recipe card so you have this on hand for the next time you want to make them!
Fry Bread Dough
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!
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!
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 oil 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.
Delicious Fry Bread Toppings
The possibilities are only limited by your imagination with fry bread! Some of our favorites are:
- 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)
Using an Air Fryer
Alternatively, 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
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Or freeze in an air-tight container for up to 2 months.
Fry bread dough is also called beaver tails, fry dough, fry bread, bannock, fried bread, doughboys, elephant ears, scones, pizza, and frying saucers.
Where Did Fry Bread Originate?
Fry Bread was used by the Navajo Indians during the 300-mile journey called the “long walk”. The united states government gave native Americans flour, salt, and a few other staples that they would use to make fry bread along the way. It’s so easy that you can make it in a dutch oven over a fire for dinner (or a treat) while outdoors!
You May Also Enjoy These Recipes
Thank you so much for stopping by Our Farmhouse Harvest blog… I hope you loved this Fry Bread recipe! You may also enjoy these recipes:
- Easy Sourdough Bread Recipe for Beginners
- Apple Fritter Doughnuts
- Sweet Cream Pancakes
- Easy & Healthy Strawberry Freezer Jam
- Crockpot Loaded Potato Soup
- Cinnamon Date Rolls
- Sourdough Cheddar Biscuits
- Boston Butt Roast in the Oven
If you made this frybread recipe, Please Let me know in the comments below! What are your favorite toppings?
Let’s keep in touch! Let me know what your favorite way to make fry bread is and how you like to top them!
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!
Greetings from Colorado! I’m browsing your website on my iphone during lunch break.
I love the fry bread here and can’t wait to try it when I get home.
I’m amazed at how quick your blog loaded on my mobile
.. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, great blog!