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.
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.
If you like this recipe, you may be interested in these other delicious bread recipes:
- Rustic Garlic Parmesan Herb Bread
- Easy Homemade Pita Bread
- Irish Soda Bread
- The Ultimate Garlic Bread Recipe
Watch the video below where Rachel will walk you through every step of this recipe. Sometimes it helps to have a visual, and weโve 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.
I love them had them for first time in the white mountains apache reservation there the best love the simplicity of the recipe thanks
Native American not Indian
Correct, and use shortening, instead of oil for frying.
Knowing what has been done to vegetable oil and how unhealthy it is, I will make this recipe, which sounds delicious, but fry it in coconut oil instead. I have found that everything that i used to use vegetable oil in works just fine with coconut oil. Cakes, cookies, deep frying. I buy coconut oil in 5 gal. containers and since it doesn’t get rancid like other oils I find it just as economical and much healthier.
Correct Jeremy….
i like your blog, verry good
The correct term is native American…. Indians a are from india.
I’m sure you are aware of the complexity of the terminology.
You notice it is the non-Indians non-natives who call you out on the term “Indian.”
Keep on cooking.
Well maybe in Indian but here in American I call myself Indian
Oops i meant maybe in India
Me, too!! I call myself Indian. And I am so tired of PC people saying I can;t do that or freaking out if I mention the “Indian Reservation.”
In Wisconsin we’re slowly transitioning to the term “native”. The only reason for the “politically correct” change is because of the recent surge of immigrants from India, Good thing they came. Thanks to the dumbing down of America, we really need the doctors. That said, I’ve lived and worked on INDIAN reservations (what they’re still called) and they really don’t care either way. The whole Native American / Indian debate just makes me laugh. They refer to themselves by tribal community / family, or territorial area. Much like European Americans refer to themselves as Italian, German, French, Irish, etc. or their familial community and territoral area. Just food for thought… ? Stop worrying about labels so much and live.
The legal description of my land in Oklahoma refers to the Indian nation. I would assume members of the Indian nation could be called Indians
Is your tribe Cherokee? I know not all of our family went to Texas.
My family is Native American we still say Indian. Of course we are not into politics. We still call it Indian fry bread. We just don’t get offended as easily because we are not into political correctness. It is a recipe just enjoy it.
I love that you are American Indian! I lived among you and are this dry bread every Saturday. Love your strong people!โ
Thank you, Milley. Indian’s ARE from India. Native or American Indian’s are from the United States.
Im from Nevada and all the Native Americans there call them Indian Tacos, so. . . . . .
This is what Idahoans , Wyomians & on down to Texans call
Scones. Not the English scone which is drier cake like. These are made in smaller, country style, Ma & Pa restaurants usually served with butter and honey! Been around forever?
There is a little difference in the recipe for Navajo fry bread and the scones you are talking about which are a Scandinavian thing. Navajo Fry bread uses baking powder as a leavening agent, and scones use yeast for leavening.
Thanks Everyone for your comments, I love to cook and I can’t wait to try this recipe..
Aha!! My dad used yeast for “fry bread” but I never saw a recipe calling for it. Now I know why. Thanks.
AKA American Indians….when I was little it was Indian as in Cowboys and Indians….. Never heard of Indians from India, I was too little. So Indian works for me. I have been making Indian Fry Bread for years.
Picky, picky, picky
a bit picky and Indian is also American
I am Cherokee. Get over yourself.
Indian is just fine.
Indians here in USA!! Have been since before we took their land. They are proud of their Indian heritage. As I am.
I have never seen a sign or a menu that says โNative Americanโ tacos!! I love Indian tacos ๐
My sister used to add oil to the flour and hand mix nicely,before adding the water to make the dough. No Baking powder was used and the fry bread was excellent.
Thanks I will try your version…I love fry bread especially with straberries,powdered sugar and honey.
Im going try this way thank you
It’s also very good with a pot of red beans …ummmm good!!!!!!!
It looks delicious! I have to make it ๐
You are fantastic … Thank you … I am 74 years old and I love cooking and your recipes making me so happy to cook some of your delicious food ….. really much appreciated
I am retired in Thailand and I am sharing your recipes with friends and suggest to join your site and I hope all do ….. they are Thai and western people so do not be surprise someone write in Thai language for you he he he he
Thank you
Awww thanks! Welcome!
Video says 4 1/2 cups of flour . Recipe says 4 . Which one is correct pls ?
It is 4 to 4 1/2. The amount of flour you add in a dough recipe is always dependent on a variety of conditions that are unpredictable from cook to cook.
Is it self rising flour or all purpose??
All purpose.
And written directions it says to pour olive oil on dough video she says vegetable oil
Thank you for the recipe!! Keep the tradition for ever!! Native American pride!!
I am 81 years old and dearly love these recipes. They give me something to look forward to. Thanks so very much for having these on here for us.
This is so neat! I had never heard of it and now I want to try it.
Do they taste just as good th next day or do we need to eat them fresh?
They are best fresh.
And they are wonderful with blueberries!
Much better fresh. We just make chili n put on it for the meat. Then the same things on that that you’d put on any taco’s. Indian taco’s.
You can store in a freezer bag with paper towls. Says nice for a couple days
Its good next day i place in zip lock bag and warm for 30 secs or so
I have made Indian fry bread for years, I store in Ziploc but being in a bag creates moisture so I warm in the oven in aluminum foil, almost as good as the first day! Try with honey also they are yummy!!
Visit Cherokee, NC for truly wonderful Indian Fry Bread with chili – – – oh, my! Delicious beyond words. Excited to try this recipe at home and then fix it for friends to enjoy too. Thanks for posting.
They are very good I make them all the time.
I didn’t even realize I wanted to try making this until you posted this! Can’t wait to try it!!!!! Thank You!!!