Navajo fry bread is a four-ingredient (non-yeast) bread that fries up crunchy and crispy on the outside while light, tasty, and tender on the inside. Customize it to make a savory dinner or a sweet dessert.
For dessert, sprinkle the fry bread with brown sugar and cinnamon straight out of the fryer, or better yet, dust with powdered sugar and drizzle with honey. For Navajo tacos, top with taco meat and fixings. Use all your favorite taco toppings like shredded cheese, tomatoes, black olives, scallions, pickled jalapenos, pickled red onions, and sour cream, and you have a match made in heaven.
Ingredients Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Oil for frying: Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point like vegetable, canola, or peanut oil.
- Ground beef: Please use ground beef with a little fat in it. Fat is what makes the beef juicy and flavorful.
- Taco seasoning: You can use store-bought or homemade taco seasoning for more flavor and gusto.
- Cheddar cheese: Use sharp cheddar cheese or a Mexican cheese blend.
How To Make Fry Bread
This is a summary version; for the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please refer to the recipe card below.
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. Pull off a piece a little smaller than a golf ball. Then pat it out like a mini pizza on a lightly floured surface. Fry the dough in hot oil until puffy.
How To 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 it as soon as possible while everything is tasty and warm.
Preparation 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.
- Fry one or two to begin with, so you have time to adjust the thickness if desired.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For best results, reheat in an air fryer.
Recipe Variations For Fry Bread
- As soon as the fry bread comes out of the fryer, dust it 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 bakery doughnuts.
- 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 steak or chicken fajitas for an original taste and filling meal.
More Taco Recipes
Navajo Indian Fry Bread Recipe
Ingredients
Fry Bread
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 2½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup warm water
- vegetable oil for frying
Tacos
- 1 lb ground beef
- 3 tablespoons taco seasoning
- ¾ cup water
- ⅔ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup sliced tomatoes
- ¼ 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 plastic 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.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Tanya K
I love the fry bread recipe. It’s easy to make and can be enjoyed in various ways, from sweet treats with cinnamon and sugar to savory fry bread tacos. Perfect for any occasion, this recipe is a fantastic addition to any cook’s repertoire! Thank you!
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Tanya!
Tammy Lee
I’ve never made fry bread before but I have heard of it. I didn’t realize how easy it was to make. Sounds absolutely delicious…definitely making these over the weekend for quick tacos.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Tammy Lee! Enjoy!
Shelley F
Thanks for this wonderful fry bread recipe, Beth! I made it last night, and my family absolutely loved it. We tried both the sweet version with powdered sugar and honey and the savory Navajo tacos, and they were a hit!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Shelley! I am so happy that you and your family liked it!
Becky
Great fry bread! It was delicious, thank you for the recipe!
Tammy Lee
This fry bread is delicious. We love using it for navajo tacos but it is equally delicious with cinnamon sugar!
Michelle
I had to add quite a lot of flour because it was so sticky you couldn’t even make a ball. But they were delicious
Beth Pierce
Glad that you liked them, Michelle!
John M
Simple yet delicious! Rolled out the dough and then used a pizza cutter to make long thin strips. They cook up like thick fries, and dip easily in honey-butter, strawberry jam, etc.
Beth Pierce
Thanks for the tip, John! So glad that you enjoyed them!
Gianne
It’s a delicious and irresistible treat that never fails to satisfy my cravings. The crispy outside and fluffy inside make for the perfect combination.
joe campbell
I added a tablespoon of fresh lemon zest to the dough, will 2 tbs the next next time. Raw honey from my hive on it was so GOOD!
Beth Pierce
What a great tip, Joe! Thank you!
Angie
This turned out so well!! Super crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside – great on its own or as a base for tacos! Yum!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Angie! So glad that you liked the fry bread!
Sammy
I have always loved fry bread. There are just so many delicious things to do with it. You can sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon, dust with powdered sugar, drizzle with honey, or top with seasoned taco meat and taco toppings.
Beth Pierce
So true!