Navajo Fry Bread
Navajo Fry Bread is a golden, pillowy delight that captures the essence of comfort food with its crispy exterior and soft, chewy interior. This traditional Native American recipe is made with simple pantry staples like all-purpose flour, baking powder, and a touch of sugar, creating a dough that’s fried to perfection for a beautifully rustic result. Whether served as a savory base topped with refried beans and cheese or as a sweet treat drizzled with honey or dusted with powdered sugar, this versatile dish is a culinary canvas for your favorite flavors. Perfectly puffed and irresistibly satisfying, Navajo Fry Bread is quick to prepare, making it an ideal recipe for weeknight meals, celebrations, or as a warm, nostalgic indulgence.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 3 cups All-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon Baking powder
- 1 teaspoon Granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup Warm water
- 4 cups Vegetable oil (for frying)
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Whisk the dry ingredients together until evenly distributed.
Slowly add the warm water to the dry ingredients, stirring with a wooden spoon or your hands until the dough comes together into a soft, slightly sticky mass.
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead it gently for 2-3 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest for 10 minutes.
While the dough is resting, heat the vegetable oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. The oil should reach a temperature of 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer to ensure consistent frying.
Divide the rested dough into 6 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball, then use your hands or a rolling pin to flatten it into a circle about 6-7 inches in diameter. The edges don't have to be perfectly round; a rustic shape is traditional.
Carefully place one piece of dough into the hot oil, laying it away from you to prevent splattering. Fry for 2-3 minutes on each side, until golden brown and puffed.
Use tongs or a slotted spoon to remove the fry bread from the oil and transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Repeat with the remaining pieces of dough.
Serve the fry bread warm. For a savory option, top with refried beans, cheese, and salsa. For a sweet treat, sprinkle with powdered sugar or drizzle with honey.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1587 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 158.8 g | 204% | |
| Saturated Fat | 22.8 g | 114% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 594 mg | 26% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 48.5 g | 18% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.6 g | 6% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.8 g | ||
| Protein | 6.6 g | 13% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 9 mg | 1% | |
| Iron | 2.4 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 53 mg | 1% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
