The Ultimate Guide to Making Perfect Fry Bread Every Time

Fry bread is a delicious Native American dish that’s perfect for any time of day. It’s a versatile and easy-to-make dish that can be served sweet or savory, depending on your preference. Fry bread is similar to a fried dough, and it’s made by frying dough in hot oil until it’s golden brown in color. Making fry bread is super easy, and you don’t need to be an expert cook to cook this dish. With simple ingredients and a few helpful tips, anyone can make delicious fry bread at home.

One of the best things about fry bread is that it’s easy to customize. You can top it with a sweet drizzle of honey or serve it with chili for a savory meal. Whatever way you choose to prepare it, fry bread is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So, without further ado, let’s dive into this easy, step-by-step guide on how to make fry bread.

Ingredients for Fry Bread

When it comes to making fry bread, there are certain ingredients that you can’t do without. Here are the must-have ingredients to help you make delicious fry bread:

Flour

The backbone of any fry bread recipe is the flour. It’s best to use all-purpose flour, which is the most readily available. You can also use whole-wheat flour or self-rising flour, but the consistency may not be as good as with all-purpose flour.

Baking Powder and Salt

To make sure your dough rises and your fry bread is fluffy and light, you’ll need to add baking powder. Depending on the quantity of flour you’re using, you’ll need to add between one teaspoon to two tablespoons of baking powder.

Salt is another essential ingredient that can’t be left out. Adding salt to the dough mixture enhances the flavor and helps to strengthen the dough.

Milk or Water

To make fry bread, you’ll need to add liquid to the dough mixture. You could use water or milk. Using milk adds more richness to the dough, but water will work just as well.

Variations

Fry bread is versatile and can be made to fit your preferences. You can add sugar to make sweet fry bread or garlic to make savory fry bread. You can even add spices to make the flavor more exciting.

Oil for Frying

The final ingredient you’ll need to make fry bread is oil. Any vegetable oil will do, such as canola, corn, or peanut oil. Be sure to use enough oil to get a good fry on the bread.

Steps to Make Fry Bread

Now that you’ve gathered all the necessary ingredients, it’s time to start making your fry bread. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Prepare the Dough

In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add the milk or water, stirring continuously until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough for a few minutes, then let it rest for 10-15 minutes.

2. Cut the Dough into Pieces

Divide the dough into small balls, approximately the size of a golf ball. Flatten each ball using your palm.

3. Heat the Oil

Add enough oil to a skillet to cover the bottom. Heat the oil until it’s hot, but not smoking. To gauge whether the oil is ready, drop a small piece of dough into the skillet. If it sizzles and browns quickly, the oil is ready.

4. Fry the Bread

Carefully place the flattened dough pieces into the hot oil. Fry each side until it’s golden brown, then flip it over and fry the other side until it’s the same color. Remove the fried bread from the oil and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain off any excess oil.

5. Serve

Your fry bread is now ready to be served and enjoyed! You can eat it as is, or top it with some honey, powdered sugar, or cinnamon. Some people also use fry bread as a base for Indian tacos, which are tacos made using traditional Native American ingredients.

Troubleshooting Tips

While fry bread is simple to make, things may not always go according to plan. Here are some common issues you may run into and what you can do to prevent or fix them:

Dough is too Dry or Sticky

If your dough is too dry, add more liquid until the dough is soft and pliable. If the dough is too sticky, add more flour until the dough forms a ball.

Fry Bread is Too Thick or Thin

If your fry bread is too thick, flatten your dough balls further before frying. If they are too thin, add more flour to your dough mixture.

Fry Bread is not Cooking through and Browning Evenly

If your fry bread is not cooking thoroughly and browning evenly, check the temperature of the oil. If the oil is not hot enough, the dough will absorb too much oil and will turn out soggy.

Fry Bread is Too Greasy

If your fry bread is too oily, the oil is too hot. Turn down the heat and allow the oil to cool down before trying again.

Fry Bread is Not Rising

If your dough is not rising, check the expiration date on the baking powder. If the baking powder is old or expired, it may need to be replaced.

Ingredients for Fry Bread

Fry bread is a simple recipe that doesn’t require many ingredients. The key ingredients are flour, water, yeast, and oil. Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make fry bread:

1. Flour: Fry bread is traditionally made with all-purpose flour, but you can also use self-rising flour or whole wheat flour if you prefer.

2. Water: You’ll need enough water to make a sticky, but not too wet, dough. It’s important to use warm water to help activate the yeast.

3. Yeast: The yeast is what gives the dough its rise. You can use either dry or fresh yeast.

4. Oil: You’ll need oil to fry the bread. You can use any type of oil you like, but vegetable oil or canola oil are the most commonly used.

5. Salt: Salt is optional, but it can add a nice flavor to the bread.

6. Sugar: Sugar is also optional, but it can help with the browning and caramelization of the bread.

7. Baking powder: Some recipes call for baking powder to help the bread rise.

8. Milk: Some recipes call for milk to make the dough softer and more pliable.

9. Eggs: Some recipes call for eggs to make the dough richer and more flavorful.

10. Butter: Some recipes call for butter to add richness to the dough and help with browning.

How to Make Fry Bread

Now that you have all of the ingredients, let’s get started on making the fry bread.

1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, yeast, salt, and sugar (if using).

2. Slowly add in the warm water, mixing with a wooden spoon or your hands. You want to mix until a sticky dough forms.

3. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-10 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.

4. Place the dough back in the bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour, or until it has doubled in size.

5. Once the dough has risen, divide it into small balls (about the size of a golf ball). Flatten each ball with your hands or a rolling pin until it is about 1/4 inch thick.

6. Heat the oil in a deep frying pan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. You want the oil to be hot, but not smoking.

7. Carefully place the flattened dough into the hot oil, one or two at a time. Fry each side for about 1-2 minutes, until it is golden brown.

8. Use a slotted spoon to remove the fry bread from the oil and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.

9. Repeat the process with the remaining dough balls, adding more oil to the pan as needed.

10. Serve the fry bread warm with honey, jam, or whatever toppings you prefer.

As you can see, making fry bread is simple and straightforward. With a little practice, you’ll be able to make delicious fry bread that you and your family will love.

Ingredients

Making fry bread is a simple process that requires only a few basic ingredients. Here’s a list of what you’ll need to prepare this delicious Native American dish.

Preparation

Once you’ve gathered all the ingredients, it’s time to start making fry bread. Follow these simple steps to prepare the dough and fry it to perfection.

Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking powder, and sugar. Mix the ingredients until they’re evenly blended.

Step 2: Add the Wet Ingredients

Add the warm water and vegetable oil to the dry ingredients. Use a spoon or a mixer to blend the wet and dry ingredients together until a soft dough is formed.

Step 3: Knead the Dough

Once the dough is formed, turn it onto a floured surface. Knead the dough for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.

Step 4: Let the Dough Rest

After kneading, let the dough rest for about 10-15 minutes. Cover it with a damp cloth to prevent it from drying out.

Step 5: Divide the Dough and Shape

Divide the dough into small balls and shape each ball into a flat disc, approximately ¼ inch thick.

Frying the Bread

Now that the dough is prepared, it’s time to fry the bread. Here are some simple steps you can follow to fry the bread to perfection.

Step 1: Heat the Oil

Place a skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Add vegetable oil to the pan and let it heat up for a few minutes.

Step 2: Fry the Bread

Once the oil is hot, carefully place the prepared dough discs into the pan. Allow them to cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side until the bread becomes golden brown.

Step 3: Drain the Bread

Remove the bread from the pan and let it drain on paper towels to remove any excess oil.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

Fry bread can be served in a variety of ways. It’s often served as a side dish or used as a base for other dishes like Indian tacos. Top the bread with honey, jam, or other sweet toppings for a delicious dessert. Or use it as a savory base for meats and cheeses. Enjoy your fry bread!

Enjoy Your Homemade Fry Bread!

Congratulations! You have learned how to make fry bread from scratch. It may seem like a daunting task at first, but with the right ingredients and techniques, you can master it. Remember, fry bread is a staple food for many Native American communities. It symbolizes unity, harmony, and strength. So, take pride in your creation and share it with your loved ones. Thanks for reading this article, and I hope you found it helpful. Don’t forget to visit us again for more interesting recipes and cooking tips. Happy cooking!