Native American Fry Bread batter is a four-ingredient (non-yeast) bread that fries up crunchy and crispy on the outside while light, tasty, and tender on the inside. It is so easy to whip up! For dessert, sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon straight out of the fryer, or better yet, dust with powdered sugar, drizzle with honey, or for a savory dish, top with taco meat and fixings for Fry Bread Tacos.
Do you like tacos? We absolutely love them around here. As my daughter says, “I have never met a taco that I did not love.” We also love Fry Bread. Honestly, who wouldn’t adore a piece of slightly puffy bread that is crispy and crunchy on the outside and tender and airy on the inside? Now combine the best of both worlds, and you have Navajo tacos. Top that fry bread with taco-seasoned ground beef and all your favorite taco toppings like shredded cheese, tomatoes, black olives, scallions, and sour cream, and you have a match made in heaven.
It is best while still warm. However, I have reheated it in the microwave for my husband many times with pretty darn good results. Just about fifteen seconds is all it needs. Then top it with all the rest of the goodies and enjoy!
How do you make Fry Bread?
In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly stir in warm water with a fork and mix until the fry bread dough comes together. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rest for at least 1 – 2 hours. This is a sticky dough, so you will need to flour your hands and the working surface. Pull off a piece a little smaller than a golf ball. Roll it into a ball as best you can, then pat it out like a mini pizza on a lightly floured surface. You can also roll them out with a rolling pin. They should be about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. Don’t worry if they are not all round or the exact same size.
In a heavy pan, heat 1-2 inches of oil to 375 degrees. Add the pieces of dough to the hot oil and fry until it is golden brown and puffs up. Then turn and fry the other side until golden brown. Roll and fry as you go that way, if you want them thinner or thicker, you can adjust accordingly. Remove to paper towels to drain and to cool enough to handle. Keep the fried bread in the oven on low as you fry the rest of the dough.
How do you make Navajo Tacos?
While you are making the bread, brown some ground beef. Add the taco seasoning and water. Simmer for five to ten minutes. Spoon the taco meat onto the warm bread. Top with shredded cheese, tomatoes, green onions, black olives, and sour cream. Serve as soon as possible while everything is tasty and warm.
Recipe Variations for fry bread
- As soon as the fry bread comes out of the fryer, dust them with powdered sugar and serve it with fresh maple syrup or honey.
- When warm, top with a mixture of brown sugar and cinnamon. They are just as delicious as a bakery doughnut.
- Take your peanut butter and jelly sandwich to a new high. Just be sure to add the peanut butter first because it makes it easier to spread peanut butter on warm fry bread.
- Pile on chicken or steak fajitas for an original taste and filling meal.
Recipe notes and helpful tips
- Add just enough water for the dough to pull together, which is usually 1 cup; however, flour contains moisture, so it may be a tiny bit less.
- Stir just until the dough ingredients are combined. Over-mixing can make the fry bread tough.
- Cover and let rest for at least one hour.
- Flour your hands and the working surface.
- Roll the dough into balls and then pat out to 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick.
- Fry one or two, to begin with, so you have time to adjust the thickness if desired.
- Store leftover fry bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For best results, reheat in an air fryer.
This super easy Fry Bread is scrumptious, simple, and easy on the pocketbook. Fry up a batch this morning and sprinkle with cinnamon and brown sugar while still warm. So delicious! Not a huge sweet breakfast fan? Well, then make a batch of fry bread this evening and cook up some super flavorful Tacos!
More Taco Recipes
Native American Fry Bread Recipe
Fry Bread batter is a four-ingredient bread that fries up crunchy and crispy on the outside while light, tasty, light, and tender on the inside. For dessert, sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon straight out of the fryer, or better yet, dust with powdered sugar, drizzle with honey, or for a savory dish, top with taco meat and fixings for Fry Bread Tacos.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 15
- Total Time: 35 minutes plus resting time
- Yield: 6
- Category: main meal
- Method: frying/stove top
- Cuisine: Native Indian
Ingredients
Fry Bread
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup warm water
- vegetable oil for frying
Tacos
- 1 lb ground beef
- 3 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 3/4 cup water
- 2/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- 1 –2 sliced green onions
- sour cream
- lettuce (optional)
- avocado (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly stir in warm water with a fork. Mix just until the dough comes together. Use only as much water as you need for the dough to come together. Cover with wrap and let rest for 1 to 2 hours. Flour your hands and the working surface. Pull off a piece a little smaller than a golf ball. Roll into a ball, then pat it out to 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick.
- In a heavy pan, heat 1-2 inches of oil to 375 degrees. Fry until the bread is golden brown and puffs up, about 2-3 minutes. Flip halfway through to brown the other side. Remove to paper towels to drain.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef. Drain any excess grease. Add taco seasoning and water; simmer for 5-10 minutes. Spoon on top of fry bread and sprinkle with cheddar cheese, tomatoes, black olives, and green onions. Top with sour cream and serve immediately.
Notes
- Add just enough water for the dough to pull together, which is usually 1 cup; however, flour contains moisture, so it may be a tiny bit less.
- Stir just until the dough ingredients are combined. Over-mixing can make the fry bread tough.
- Cover and let rest for at least one hour.
- Flour your hands and the working surface.
- Roll the dough into balls and then pat out to 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick.
- Fry one or two, to begin with, so you have time to adjust the thickness if desired.
- Store leftover fry bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For best results, reheat in an air fryer.
Keywords: how to make fry bread, how to make Indian fry bread, frybread, fry bread recipe
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Jade
Great easy recipe . I used it for sloppy joes.
Beth Pierce
Sounds delicious!
Sangeetha
I tried this Native American Fry Bread recipe, and it turned out amazing! The bread came out crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, just like you described. I loved trying it both ways – as a sweet treat with brown sugar and cinnamon, and as a savory Fry Bread Taco. So delicious and versatile! 😋
★★★★★
Zane
This fry bread cooked up delicious. I can decide whether I like it better with taco topping or cinnamon and brown sugar. Thanks for sharing the recipe, Beth.
★★★★★
Sammie
Wow, Native American Fry Bread sounds absolutely delicious! I love the idea of bread that’s crunchy on the outside and light and tender on the inside. And the fact that it only has four ingredients and is easy to whip up is a huge bonus. I’m definitely going to have to try it out soon. And the dessert and savoury options sound equally amazing – I can’t decide which one I want to try first!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Sammie! I sure hope you enjoy it.
Mel
We love tacos but not the crunchy taco shells. This fry bread is a much better alternative. So darn tasty.
★★★★★
Moni
This Native American fry bread recipe is fantastic! The step-by-step instructions and helpful tips made it easy to follow. The end result was delicious, and I appreciate the cultural background shared. Can’t wait to try more of your recipes! 🍞👌👍
★★★★★
Ned
Thie fry bread makes the best tacos.I make them often and every one loves them.
Alita
There are many recipes for fry bread but this is by far the best! This made me realize how delicious fry bread is!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Alita! So glad that you like the fry bread!
Marcie
This fry bread recipe is one of my favorites. They make the best Navajo Tacos. So yummy!
Richard Lowe
This reminds me of the fry bread my grandmother used to make. Try it with a little cinnamon sugar as soon as it comes out of the fryer! Delcious!
Lisa
This is a quick and easy fry bread recipe that turns out perfect every time. My family loves this recipe.
Colleen
Great fry bread recipe. It turned out perfect and the whole family enjoyed it.
★★★★★
Tisha
I have not had this in forever!!! It was always a favorite growing up. Now I have to make it
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Tisha! Enjoy!
Sandra
This is packed full of flavors!! My kids loved it and they can’t wait for me to make it again!
★★★★★
Catalina
This fry bread must be so good! I will make it for my family!
★★★★★
Beti
This fry bread is amazing! My family loved this!!
★★★★★
katerina
This fry bread is incredible!! A must make!!
★★★★★
Erin | Dinners, Dishes and Dessert
Looks absolutely fantastic! Can’t wait to try this one!
Ryan
Best Indian Fry Bread EVER!!!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Ryan! So glad that you liked it!
Donna
Beth,
I make this and it came out so good! Thank you for a great recipe! I’ll be making these from now on.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much, Donna! I am happy that you like the fry bread.
Kathy Belleci
So good. Tried as a taco and then with some butter, cinnamon and sugar
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Awesome! I am so glad that you liked the fry bread!
David Smith
My wife is trying to make this bread, but it keeps puffing like sopapillas. When she asked me to look at the recipe, I was a little concerned with the amount of water. I bake a lot of bread and use grams for measurements. You recipe calls for 2 cups of flour which is 240g. You also said “Add just enough water for the dough to pull together which is usually 1 cup however flour contains moisture so it may be a tiny bit less”. A cup of water is also 240g. That would make the dough 100% hydrated if you use the entire cup. Should this be ½ cup of water instead of 1 cup?
Beth Pierce
So sorry to hear this. 2 cups of flour and 1 cup water are not the same volume. They may weigh the same but they are not the same volume. Only add enough water for the dough to pull together. Did you let the dough rest? Did she pat the dough out into little pizza shapes?
Susan
Can you explain how much kneading, and how to do that exactly?
Beth Pierce
Basically Susan it is patting out the dough from the center out to get it to gently spread out till it is about 1/8-1/4 inch thick. Rotate it as you pat it out. Ideally it would be a circle but sometimes it just does not work that way and it might be a little odd shaped.
Danielle Wolter
I have always wanted to try and make this and it came out perfect! Def something I’ll be making it again. Love it with the taco filling.
★★★★★
Jeannette
I just love that I can have these sweet or savoury! They’re perfect for weeknight dinners or weekend parties – fried bread goes with everything. But having it with a taco topping is seriously fab!
★★★★★
Helen
That golden crispy fry bread looks amazing! I love how versatile it is, too.
★★★★★
Dannii
Fries bread is popular with breakfast here in the UK. I am going to have to try making it.
★★★★★
Anaiah
I have never had Indian fry bread before but this combination was brilliant! I loved all of the flavors in these and will be making fry bread tacos more often. Especially since they only take about 30 minutes! WIN!
★★★★★
Alicia K
Made these for dinner last night on the fly. They turned out BEAUTIFULLY! My husband had never tried it before and he is absolutely obsessed! Two tacos for dinner, then another 2 dusted with cinnamon sugar and drizzled with honey for dessert. These. Are. LEGIT!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much! So glad that you enjoyed them! You had both your dinner and dessert! Smart thinking!!
Nikki
Best fry bread I ever. Who knew it was this easy to make.
Anna
They are delicious drizzled with honey or dusted with confectioners sugar also.
Zoe Grimes
Could you leave out the oil for frying to hot air fry?
Beth Pierce
I do not recommend air frying these.
Ribin
These are absolutely delicious and easy. Yes we did make like a taco on top but, so versatile. we adore them plain and warm … yum
★★★★★
Allyson Zea
I need to try this right now! It looks so delicious!
Tara
This is so good! And I love that it is so easy to make!
★★★★★
June
Here in Florida, our two Native American tribes make fry bread but use self-rising flour and water. They are made and sold by the Miccosukee tribe at their village and their restaurant.
Dannii
Oh these look incredible. What a delicious twist on tacos.
★★★★★
jack
This fried bread taco is so delicious! Its actually quite easy to make as well 🙂
★★★★★
Anjali
Omg yum! I love fry bread tacos but never knew how to make them for myself at home! This recipe was so easy and tasted just like the fry bread I’ve had at restaurants in the past!
★★★★★
Colleen
This looks delicious and it reminds me of the bannock that our first nations make here in Canada. I can’t wait to try it and compare.
★★★★★
Mahy
Now this is the perfect appetizer, there is no doubt about that. Love the colors, and I am sure I would be delighted with the taste!
Elena
Love this recipe – thanks!
★★★★★
Kara
So easy and so yummy! Sometimes I even just serve it with canned chili instead of the ground beef mixture. My kids love it that way.
★★★★★
Natasha
This takes “salad” to a whole new level! Can’t wait to try this out at a dinner party!
★★★★★
Jessica Burgess
EEEK! We have been looking for a recipe just like this one for so long now. Thank you so so much!
★★★★★
Rachael Yerkes
This fry bread is fabulous!
★★★★★
Kimberly
I love fry bread and am excited to make my own, thanks for sharing!
★★★★★
Estee
This looks fabulous! Reminds me of Moroccan sphingim, but savory instead of sweet. Recipe looks simple enough as well, going to give this a try!
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Estee! I hope you enjoy it!
Lisa
This bread sounds delicious! Love that combo of a crispy outside and a light and fluffy interior!
★★★★★
Diana
This bread looks and sounds sooo good I have to try it!
★★★★★
Jill
I have heard of fry bread but never tried it. Such a decadent treat. I’ll have to try your recipe!
★★★★★
SHANIKA
I love that you used this fried bread as the taco shell! It looks so flavorful and delish!
★★★★★
Monica
This is such a fun and delicious twist on tacos! And really pretty easy to whip up for a change of pace.
★★★★★
Taylor
So, so yummy! Love all the delicious flavors!
★★★★★
Becky Hardin
I love everything about this!!! So many ways to eat this bread.
★★★★★
Aimee Shugarman
LOVE this fry bread recipe. So flavorful 🙂
★★★★★
Katerina
These look incredibly delicious! YUM!!
★★★★★
Jen
We are taco lovers here too but have never had them with fry bread. I’m excited to try this for our next Taco Tuesday dinner, thanks!
★★★★★
Ernest Contreras
Hello this sound very good and easy, almost like flour tortillas recipe,I’ll try this for sure,I am also going to try for the keto people using almond flour,lets see how well it does. what do you think?
chef Ernie
Beth Pierce
I have never tried almond flour! Let me know who they turn out!!
Marie
Try it!
★★★★★
Elaine
What are the measures of flour water etc
Beth Pierce
It is at the bottom of the post. Just scroll down and read full directions.