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Fry Bread is a beloved tradition in the United States. Serve it up savory as Navajo Tacos or go the sweet side and serve it up with a little honey butter and powdered sugar. 

Indian fry bread stacked

This recipe comes from an Aunt who lived among a local Native American tribe for many, many years. There are so many fond memories of visiting as a child and enjoying the culture. She learned to make Fry Bread from friends in the tribe and passed the recipe down several years ago. Fry bread goes by many names around these parts, including Indian Fry Bread, Navajo Fry Bread, Navajo Tacos, and Scones. Yes, we realize that the word “scone” means something completely different everywhere else in the world, but around here, scones are fry bread. There’s even a whole chain restaurant devoted to it called Sconecutter.

The dough for this is quite simple, requiring very few ingredients. Don’t underestimate how delicious it is based on the simplicity. This fry bread is so delicious! It is most frequently served as either Navajo Tacos, with all your favorite taco ingredients, or as a dessert. Our favorite way to enjoy it as a dessert is to lather on some honey butter and dust it with powdered sugar. Yum! It’s crunch on the outside, and soft and fluffy on the inside.

  • What Toppings go on Navajo Tacos?

    You can add beans, meat, chopped lettuce, tomatoes, olives, shredded cheese, and sour cream. A lot of people use ground beef cooked up with a little taco seasoning. My favorite way to serve it up is with some shredded beef or shredded pork. It’s always awesome to add on some diced avocado.

  • Can Fry Bread be made ahead of time?

    Fry Bread is best served hot and out of the fryer. We do not recommend frying these up ahead of time. However, you can make your dough the night before, cover your bowl with plastic wrap, and let it rest in the fridge overnight rather than on the counter for 2 hours. In the morning, take out your bowl and leave it on the counter to get to room temperature. Then proceed with recipe. 

  • Storage Instructions:

    Indian Fry Bread can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. 

a loaded navajo taco on indian fry bread

If you like this recipe, you may be interested in these other delicious bread recipes:

Watch the video below where Rachel will walk you through every step of this recipe. Sometimes it helps to have a visual, and we’ve always got you covered with our cooking show. You can find the complete collection of recipes on YouTube, Facebook Watch, or our Facebook Page, or right here on our website with their corresponding recipes.

a loaded navajo taco on indian fry bread
Fry Bread is a beloved tradition in the United States. Serve it up savory as Navajo Tacos or go the sweet side and serve it up with a little honey butter and powdered sugar.
Cook Time 2 hours
Ingredients
  • 4 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoons salt
  • 1 ½ tablespoons baking powder
  • 1 ½ or more cups hot water
  • 2-3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 quart vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
  • In a large mixing bowl, stir together the flour, salt, and baking powder. Gradually add in the water, mixing with a spoon or your hands until combined. It will be sticky.
  • Drizzle 2-3 tablespoons of oil over the dough to keep it from drying out. Cover and let rest 2 hours. This is not a risen dough so the dough will not rise, but it does need to rest.
  • Pull off golf ball sized pieces of dough and stretch or roll out until very thin, without ripping it. The thinner the better.
  • Pour enough vegetable oil into a pot to cover it with 2 inches of oil. Heat to 350 degrees F.
  • Working one at a time, fry the dough in the hot oil until golden brown, flipping halfway through. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate to drain.
Notes
Fried bread can be kept warm in the oven until there is enough to serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 183kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 196mg | Potassium: 196mg | Fiber: 1g | Calcium: 71mg | Iron: 2.1mg
Course: Bread
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Fry Bread
Authentic Indian Fry Bread
a loaded navajo taco on indian fry bread
Fry Bread is a beloved tradition in the United States. Serve it up savory as Navajo Tacos or go the sweet side and serve it up with a little honey butter and powdered sugar.
Cook Time 2 hours
Ingredients
  • 4 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoons salt
  • 1 ½ tablespoons baking powder
  • 1 ½ or more cups hot water
  • 2-3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 quart vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
  • In a large mixing bowl, stir together the flour, salt, and baking powder. Gradually add in the water, mixing with a spoon or your hands until combined. It will be sticky.
  • Drizzle 2-3 tablespoons of oil over the dough to keep it from drying out. Cover and let rest 2 hours. This is not a risen dough so the dough will not rise, but it does need to rest.
  • Pull off golf ball sized pieces of dough and stretch or roll out until very thin, without ripping it. The thinner the better.
  • Pour enough vegetable oil into a pot to cover it with 2 inches of oil. Heat to 350 degrees F.
  • Working one at a time, fry the dough in the hot oil until golden brown, flipping halfway through. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate to drain.
Notes
Fried bread can be kept warm in the oven until there is enough to serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 183kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 196mg | Potassium: 196mg | Fiber: 1g | Calcium: 71mg | Iron: 2.1mg
Course: Bread
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Fry Bread
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