How to Make Navajo Fry Bread

The basis of Navajo fry bread is a simple dough.

Navajo fry bread is similar to a tortilla or pita bread. You form a dough, section it into pieces and fry the rounded sections. Serve the fry bread as a dessert, covered with cinnamon and sugar as well as scoops of ice cream. Alternately, serve it as a main meal, adding Southwestern toppings, such as seasoned meat, salsa, guacamole, grated cheese and sour cream. Once you're adept with the basic recipe, try stuffing the fry bread with meat and cheese before frying for a tasty alternative.

Things You'll Need

• 4 cups flour
• 3 tablespoons baking powder
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 2 1/2 cups milk
• Vegetable oil
• Large skillet
• Food thermometer
• Paper towel
• Mixing bowl
• Wooden spoon
• Mixer (optional)

Instructions

1. Mix the flour, baking powder and salt in a standing mixer or mixing bowl.

2. Warm the milk to just above room temperature. Add the milk to your dry mixture. Mix thoroughly, blending by hand or using the mixer set on a low speed for 2 minutes. Let the mixture sit for 10 to 15 minutes.

3. Fill a large skillet with vegetable oil 1-inch deep. Heat the oil until it reaches 350 degrees Fahrenheit as measured by a food thermometer.

4. Remove the dough from the mixing bowl and place it on a floured surface.

5. Separate the dough into golf-ball sized pieces. Flatten each piece until it is no thicker than a 1/4 inch.

6. Drop the flattened bread one piece at a time into the skillet oil, being careful not to let the oil splatter and burn you. Fry the bread two to three minutes on both sides, giving the bread up to a minute more if it is very thick. Remove when it is golden brown.

7. Pat the fry bread on paper towels to remove the excess oil. Serve immediately.

Tips & Warnings

• Fry bread is good just as is right from the skillet.

• It is also good topped with traditional taco toppings.

• Some put powder sugar on top and dip in honey as more of a dessert.

• The dough can be sticky so feel free to flour your hands while working with it.

• Be careful of hot grease jumping up and burning you.

References

• FoodNetwork.com: Navajo Fry Bread