Skip to Content

Fry Bread

Categories Appetizer/Snacks, Bread, Easy Recipes, Main Course

Fry bread is made up of a yeast risen dough that gets fried in oil and is often seen in Native American cuisine. It’s delicious and perfect for a side dish or to use in Navajo tacos.

I was first introduced to fry bread when I was around 12 years old and my dad worked for a Piute Indian reservation. The city I lived in at the time also served Navajo tacos for lunch and I loved them.

Although, the history of fry bread is very controversial and can strike up some deep and emotional conversations. I will let someone else’s webpage dive deep into that, I am just here to bring you the delicious food and how to make it.

This dough can be deep fried or pan fried (my preference) or air fried.

I like to use a flavor neutral oil that is healthier to fry in. So oils like avocado oil, corn oil or canola oil are my go to’s. However, feel free to use whatever oil you prefer.

This dough bubbles up when it cooks and that is a signature part of fry bread. It’s soft and tender when you eat it.

What you need to make this fry bread:

Makes 7 pieces of fry bread

  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon dry active yeast
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/4 cup salted butter – melted
  • 3 1/2 cups flour – more for dusting a rolling dough out
  • flavor neutral oil for frying
  • Salt to sprinkle on top (optional)

Instructions

  1. Mix together the water, yeast, salt and sugar together.
  2. Add the melted butter and flour a cup at a time until the dough comes together, you may not use all of the flour or you may use a little more.
  3. Knead the dough together for ~3 minutes.
  4. On a floured surface, divide dough into 7 pieces.
  5. Roll each piece out into a thin sheet of dough.
  6. Heat oil for frying to about 350 F.
  7. Carefully fry each piece of dough on each side until the dough bubbles and turns golden brown.
  8. Place on a paper towel lined plate or wire rack and sprinkle with salt if desired.
  9. Enjoy!

Here are a few other recipes you may love:

Navajo Tacos
Healthy Navajo Tacos
Egg Ham and Cheese Flatbread
Smoked Salmon and Arugula Flatbread

Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Fry Bread

A yeast risen dough that gets fried in oil.
Course: bread, Dinner, Side Dish
Cuisine: Bread, Dinner, native american, Side dish
Keyword: bread, Dinner, side dish
Servings: 7 pieces

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon dry active yeast
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/4 cup salted butter – melted
  • 3 1/2 cups flour – more for dusting a rolling dough out
  • flavor neutral oil for frying
  • Salt to sprinkle on top optional

Instructions

  • Mix together the water, yeast, salt and sugar together.
  • Add the melted butter and flour a cup at a time until the dough comes together, you may not use all of the flour or you may use a little more.
  • Knead the dough together for ~3 minutes.
  • On a floured surface, divide dough into 7 pieces.
  • Roll each piece out into a thin sheet of dough.
  • Heat oil for frying to about 350 F.
  • Carefully fry each piece of dough on each side until the dough bubbles and turns golden brown.
  • Place on a paper towel lined plate or wire rack and sprinkle with salt if desired.
  • Enjoy!

*As an Amazon Associate, I am subject to receive commission on featured products