How to Make Native American Fry Bread

Indian fry bread is a traditional bread that has been an important part of the diet for many generations of Native Americans. More recently, use of the bread has become widespread. Although recipes and techniques vary and all tribes have their favorite ways of making fry bread, the bread is always golden and crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside. Serve Indian fry bread with honey, jelly, powdered sugar, butter or syrup, or use the bread as the base for delicious tacos.

Things You'll Need

• 3 cups sifted, unbleached flour
• Large mixing bowl
• 1 tbsp. baking powder
• 1/2 cup dry powdered milk
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup warm milk or water
• Damp cloth
• 2 qts. cooking oil
• Deep fat fryer or large frying pan
• Tongs
• Paper towels

Instructions

1. Place 3 cups of sifted, unbleached flour in a large mixing bowl. Stir in 1 tbsp. baking powder, 1/2 cup dry powdered milk and 1/2 tsp. salt. Stir in 1/2 cup warm milk or water.

2. Place the dough on a lightly floured surface, then knead until the dough is smooth and soft. Adjust the amount of flour if needed, as the dough shouldn't be sticky. Don't knead more than necessary, as overworking the dough will make the bread tough.

3. Place the dough in a clean bowl, and brush a light coating of oil over the top.Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and allow the dough to set for 20 minutes.

4. Place 2 qts. of cooking oil in a deep fat fryer or a large, sturdy frying pan. Heat the oil to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

5. Pinch off lumps of dough about the size of an egg, then pull and stretch the dough into large, flat circles about the size of a dinner plate. The circles should be thin in the center and slightly thicker around the edges.

6. Cook the circles one at a time in the hot oil. Use tongs to turn the dough once after about 2 minutes, then cook the other side for about 2 minutes. The fried bread should be golden-brown.

7. Remove the fry bread from the hot oil, then allow the excess oil to drip back into the pan. Place the fry bread on a layer of paper towels to drain.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure the oil is hot enough, as frying the bread quickly in hot oil will result in lighter bread that is lower in fat.

References

• Cooks: Indian Fry Bread
• What's Cooking America: Navajo Fry Bread and Indian Tacos History