Fry Bread Recipe
hey guys! been making this fry bread recipe for YEARS and finally decided to share it!! if you’ve never had homemade indian fry bread before omg you’re missing out big time. its super easy to make and literally everyone goes crazy for it
my grandma taught me how to make fry bread when i was like 12 and ive probably made it 100+ times since then. the recipe is super simple but there are some tricks to getting it perfect (ill share all my secrets lol)
quick info
- prep: 15 mins
- rest: 30 mins (dont skip!!)
- cook: 15 mins
- total: 1 hr
- makes: 8 pieces
- difficulty: super easy!
why youll LOVE this fry bread recipe
ok so last summer i was making this american indian fry bread for a family bbq and my brother-in-law (who NEVER cooks anything) was watching me make it. he kept asking questions and i was like “dude its so easy just try it” and now he makes it all the time and texts me pics lol
the thing about this recipe is that its practically foolproof. ive made it when i was half asleep, made it when kids were screaming in the background, even made it when camping with just a portable stove. still turns out amazing every time!
what makes this fry bread so good is how versatile it is. you can go sweet (honey + powdered sugar is my fave) or savory (taco toppings = heaven). my kids fight over it every single time i make it and my husband has legit hidden pieces to save for later 🤣
if youve been looking for a good native american fry bread recipe that doesnt take forever or need weird ingredients, THIS IS IT!!
what you need
here’s what youll need to grab:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour (+ extra for when ur hands get sticky)
- 1 tbsp baking powder (make sure its not super old!)
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp sugar (optional but i always add it)
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (not hot!! just warm)
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil (+ more for frying)
nothing fancy right?? i honestly just use whatever brand of flour is on sale. one time i was out of regular flour and used self-rising flour by accident – had to adjust the recipe but it actually turned out pretty good too!
how to make fry bread step by step
1. mix dry stuff together
throw your flour, baking powder, salt and sugar in a big bowl and mix it up. i usually just use a fork cuz who wants to wash extra dishes??
pro tip: if ur baking powder has been sitting in your cabinet forever, test it by putting a little in some water – if it fizzes youre good, if not buy new stuff or your bread will be sad and flat :/
2. add wet ingredients
make a little well in the middle of your dry ingredients and pour in the warm water, milk and 2 tbsp oil. start mixing with a spoon until it gets too hard then just use your hands!
if the dough feels super sticky just add a lil more flour. if its too dry add a splash more water. it should feel soft but not stick to your fingers like crazy.
3. knead the dough a bit
flour your hands and knead the dough for like 3-4 mins until it feels smooth. dont go crazy with the kneading – this isnt fancy bread! just until it feels nice and elastic.
my grandma always said “treat dough like a baby – gentle but firm” whatever that means lol. but seriously dont overwork it or your fry bread will get tough.
4. REST TIME!! (dont skip this!!)
cover the bowl with a towel or plastic wrap and let the dough rest for 30 mins.
i know its tempting to skip this part when ur hungry (been there) but DONT DO IT!! the resting time is what makes the bread fluffy and amazing. i usually use this time to set up my toppings or just scroll thru tiktok tbh.
5. shape the fry bread
after resting, put the dough on a floured surface and cut it into 8 pieces. roll each piece into a ball then flatten it with your hands to about 1/4 inch thick.
some ppl use a rolling pin but i just use my hands. they end up looking more rustic/homemade that way! make sure to poke a small hole in the middle of each one with your finger – this helps them cook evenly.
6. fry em up!!
heat about 1-2 inches of oil in a deep pan till its hot (350F if u have a thermometer, if not just test by dropping a tiny piece of dough in – it should sizzle and float up right away)
carefully put the dough in the hot oil – it should immediately start bubbling around the edges! cook for about 1-2 mins per side till golden brown.
WARNING: dont walk away from the stove!! these cook super fast and can burn in like 30 seconds if ur not watching! (learned this the hard way when i went to check my phone…oops)
7. drain & enjoy!!
take the fry bread out with tongs and put on paper towels to drain the extra oil.
serve while theyre still warm!! seriously these are 1000x better fresh and hot!
ways to change it up
wanna try something different? here are some variations ive tried:
fry bread recipe with yeast
if u have more time and want SUPER fluffy bread, try using yeast instead of baking powder. just swap the baking powder for 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast dissolved in the warm water with a bit of sugar. let the dough rise for an hour instead of just resting.
it takes longer but omg its amazing. my aunt always makes her indian fry bread recipe with yeast for special occasions.
sweet cinnamon version
add extra sugar (like 3 tbsp total) to the dough plus 1 tsp cinnamon. after frying, brush with melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar while still hot.
my kids literally SCREAM for this version. its like a quick donut/sopapilla hybrid and soooo good with coffee!
savory herb version
throw in some dried herbs (italian seasoning or rosemary are my faves) to the dry ingredients. after frying, brush with garlic butter. amazing with pasta or soups!
if ur into baking other stuff check out this Cottage Cheese Banana Bread recipe i love!
how to store leftovers (if u have any lol)
honestly we rarely have leftovers cuz everyone devours these, but if you somehow end up with extra, let them cool completely then store in ziploc bags or containers.
they’ll stay good at room temp for like 2 days. to reheat just wrap in foil and throw in the oven at 350F for a few mins.
i tried freezing them once when i made too many and they were… ok? not as good as fresh but in a pinch they work. just thaw and warm them in the oven.
for more breakfast ideas check out these Blueberry Muffins or this Breakfast Burrito recipe!
final thoughts
i made this fry bread recipe last weekend when my friends came over for a movie night and we did a “build your own” taco bar with the fry bread as the base. it was a HUGE hit!! everyone kept saying how amazing it was and two people asked for the recipe.
there’s just something about homemade bread that makes people happy. and when its fried bread?? forget about it – instant happiness!
give this recipe a try this weekend – i promise it’ll become one of your favorites! and let me know what toppings u try… im always looking for new ideas!!
for dessert lovers, check out this Cinnamon Roll Icing No Cream Cheese recipe that is AMAZING drizzled on sweet fry bread!
Fry Bread Recipe
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Wooden spoon
- Rolling pin (optional)
- Heavy pot or deep skillet
- Tongs or slotted spoon
- Paper towels
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour plus extra for dusting
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar optional
- 1½ cups warm water
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil plus extra for frying
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients – In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
- Add Wet Ingredients – Make a well in the center and pour in the warm water, milk, and oil. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the Dough – Flour your hands and knead the dough for 3-4 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Rest the Dough – Cover the bowl with a damp towel and let it rest for 30 minutes.
- Shape the Fry Bread – Divide the dough into 8 pieces, roll into balls, and flatten into ¼-inch thick discs. Make a small hole in the center of each.
- Heat the Oil – In a heavy pot, heat 1-2 inches of oil to 350°F.
- Fry to Golden Perfection – Fry each piece for about 2 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Drain & Serve – Place fry bread on paper towels to remove excess oil and serve warm with desired toppings.
Notes
Nutrition
FAQ – all your fry bread questions!
what do i need to make fry bread?
just the basics! flour, baking powder, salt, water, milk, oil. nothing fancy which is why i love this recipe so much. you probably have everything already in your kitchen!
how to make the perfect fried bread?
ok my top tips for how to make fry bread perfectly:
- don’t overwork the dough (just knead till smooth)
- ACTUALLY LET IT REST (seriously)
- make sure oil is hot enough before putting dough in
- dont walk away while frying!!!
that third one is super important. if oil isnt hot enough the bread soaks up too much oil and gets greasy. if u drop a tiny piece of dough in and it sizzles and floats up right away, ur good to go!
why is my fry bread not fluffy?
there are a few reasons this might happen:
- baking powder is old (check expiration date!)
- u didnt let the dough rest (told u its important!!)
- oil wasnt hot enough
- u kneaded the dough too much
usually its one of these things! when i first started making this recipe mine came out like hockey pucks cuz i was impatient and didnt let the dough rest. big mistake!
what is the best oil to fry bread in?
ive tried lots of oils and vegetable or canola oil works best for navajo fry bread. they dont have strong flavors and can get hot without burning.
dont use olive oil! i tried it once thinking id be all healthy and it was WEIRD tasting plus it started smoking like crazy. stick with veggie oil!
is it better to fry bread with butter or oil?
def oil!! butter will burn at frying temps and make everything taste bad. ive never tried using butter to fry bread but im pretty sure itd be a disaster.
if u want that buttery flavor just brush some melted butter on the bread right after it comes out of the oil! sooo good especially for sweet versions.
if ur looking for other baking projects check out this Marble Rye Bread or these fancy Pistachio Croissants!