Classic Native American Fry Bread Recipes

NATIVE AMERICAN FRY BREAD

Steps:

• Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. Make a well in the center of the mixture.
• Dissolve yeast in the warm water in a small bowl. Pour into the middle of the flour mixture. Mix together lightly and rapidly until dough is moist and soft. Allow dough to rise slightly, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Pinch off a 2-inch piece of dough with well-floured fingers. Stretch it into a round 5 to 6 inches in diameter, working in more flour if needed.
• Deep-fry dough until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels. Repeat with remaining dough.

NATIVE AMERICAN FRY BREAD

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• In a deep, 10-inch cast-iron skillet or heavy saucepan, heat about 1 inch of oil to 350 F. If you don't have a deep-fry thermometer to attach to the pan, dip the handle end of a wooden spoon in the oil. The oil should bubble around it fairly steadily when it's ready. The popcorn method is another option: Place a kernel of popcorn in the oil, and it will pop when the oil reaches 350 to 360 F.
• Meanwhile, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Mix well to blend.
• Add the milk and stir until the dough holds together.
• Knead 3 or 4 times on a floured surface.
• Divide the dough into 4 uniform pieces and shape each into a ball.
• Using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll each ball of dough into a circle that's about 1/4- to 1/2-inch thick. Make a depression in the center of each round of dough (it will puff up while frying).
• Carefully slide 1 or 2 pieces of dough into the hot oil. Fry for about 1 to 2 minutes on each side, or until lightly browned.
• Remove the fried dough to paper towels to drain.

FRY BREAD

Steps:

• Whisk together flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Add milk and water, stirring with a fork until a sticky dough forms. Transfer to a floured work surface and knead a few times with floured hands just until smooth (do not overwork or bread will be tough). Return to bowl and cover with a kitchen towel; let stand 30 minutes.
• Heat 1 inch of oil to 365 degrees over medium-high in a heavy pot or deep-sided skillet. Pinch an egg-sized piece of dough with your fingers and flatten to an approximate 6-inch round (keep remaining dough covered and dust hands with flour if dough sticks). Cut a small slit in center of round with the tip of a knife (this will ensure the bread cooks evenly). Carefully lower into oil and fry, turning once, until puffed in places and golden brown on both sides, about 4 minutes. Drain on paper towels and repeat with remaining dough (return oil to 365 degrees between batches). Serve warm or at room temperature with butter, honey, jam, and confectioner's sugar.

NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN FRY BREAD

Steps:

• Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl. Slowly add enough water to make a stiff dough.
• Place dough on a floured surface and knead just till smooth and not sticky.
• Let it rest for 30 minutes , or go right to next step.
• Divide the dough into large enough balls to make a 4" round.
• Preheat oil in a frying pan or deep frier, enough oil to float the risen bread. When the oil 'spits' upon sprinkling a few drops of water into it then it's ready.
• Flour the hands and put a ball in the palm of one hand while pressing it flat with the palm of the other hand, then reverse having the dough in the other hand and pressing with the other hand, till it is about 1/2" thick.
• Poke a little hole in the middle with the tip of the little finger.
• Place the flattened dough into the hot oil and fry on one side until golden and then flip and fry the other side.
• Remove fried dough from the oil and place on a plate with a paper towel on it to absorb excess oil.
• Serve hot and let each person add their own topping.