
12/08/2025
Indian Fry Bread:
By Lisa Laymon:
Indian fry bread is so good and so versatile. Crispy outside and soft inside it’s good for savory and sweet toppings. Whether you top it with savory things like chili and cheese or sweet things like honey and powdered sugar it’s a treat for any occasion.
It’s simple and delicious and brings people together to enjoy the warmth and comfort.
Ingredients
• 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 cup water (adjust as needed to form a dough)
• 1/4 cup powdered milk (optional, for richer flavor)
• Vegetable oil, for frying (enough to fill your pan with at least 1 inch of oil)
Instructions for Indian Fry Bread
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, salt and baking powder. If using powdered milk add it at this stage as well.
Add Water: Gradually add the water to the dry ingredients, stirring as you go, until a dough forms. You may need a little more or less water so add it slowly until the dough is soft but not sticky.
Knead the Dough: On a lightly floured surface knead the dough for about 5 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky add a little more flour as needed.
Let the Dough Rest: Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest for about 20 minutes. This step helps relax the gluten, so the bread is softer.
Heat the Oil: While the dough is resting fill a deep skillet or frying pan with about 1 inch of vegetable oil. Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C). You can test if the oil is ready by dropping a small piece of dough into it; if it sizzles and comes to the surface the oil is hot enough.
Form and Fry the Bread: Divide the dough into 4-6 pieces depending on how large you want your fry breads. On a lightly floured surface flatten each piece into a circle about 1/4 inch thick. You can make a small hole in the center of each piece to ensure even cooking.
Cooking: Carefully place one piece of dough at a time into the hot oil. Fry until the bread is golden brown on one side then flip it with tongs and fry the other side. This should take about 2-3 minutes per side.
Drain: Once each piece is fried to a golden brown remove it from the oil and let it drain on paper towels.
Serve: Serve your Indian Fry Bread warm. For a sweet version drizzle with honey and sprinkle with powdered sugar. For a savory option top with your favorite taco toppings such as ground beef, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and sour cream.
Serving Ideas
Indian Fry Bread is so versatile it’s great for both sweet and savory dishes. Here are a few serving ideas:
Taco Style: Top the fry bread with seasoned ground beef, lettuce, tomatoes, shredded cheese and sour cream for a twist on traditional tacos.
Dessert: For a sweet treat drizzle the fry bread with honey or agave syrup then sprinkle with powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar. Fresh fruit or a dollop of whipped cream can be a nice touch.
Breakfast: Serve fry bread with your breakfast with scrambled eggs, bacon and a side of salsa. Or top with jam, nut butter or cream cheese.
As a Side: Fry bread goes with anything. Serve it with soups, stews or chili to mop up the juices.
Custom Toppings: Let family and friends customize their fry bread with their favorite toppings for a fun meal.
Enjoy: