Easy Fry Bread Recipe

The first time I ever had fry bread was at the Los Angeles County Fair in Southern California when I was a kid, served warm and covered in powdered sugar. Since then, I’ve learned that fry bread is a beloved part of many Native communities, often shared at gatherings, celebrations, and family tables. It’s simple, comforting, and incredibly versatile. What I love most is how easy fry bread is to make at home (besides the incredible flavor and texture). Once you’ve mixed the dough and given it a quick fry, you can turn it into hearty Navajo‑style tacos, fill it with strawberries and whipped cream, or simply dust it with powdered sugar for a classic sweet treat.

In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups of all‑purpose flour, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Stir the dry ingredients together until they are fully combined.

Add 1 1/3 cups of warm water to the flour mixture and mix by hand until a soft dough forms. The dough should be slightly sticky but workable.

Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Knead gently a few times until it comes together, then form it into a smooth ball.

Place the dough ball back in the bowl, cover, and let it rest for 15 minutes so the gluten relaxes, and the dough becomes easier to work with.

Cut the dough into 8 equal pieces using a knife or bench scraper. Return the unused dough pieces to the bowl and cover them to keep them from drying out.

Working with one piece at a time, roll and shape the dough into a 6–7-inch circle.

Set up a fry‑bread draining station by lining a baking sheet with paper towels and placing a cooling rack on top. This keeps the fry bread elevated so it drains properly and doesn’t get oily.

Heat about 1 inch of canola oil in a heavy‑bottomed skillet (cast iron works best) over medium‑high heat until it reaches 350°F. Add one rolled‑out dough round to the hot oil and fry for 1–2 minutes, then flip and fry the second side until golden brown.

Let the fry bread drain and cool for a few minutes.

Add your favorite toppings. We have a complete Navajo Taco Recipe that includes our popular taco seasoning and instructions.

Enjoy!

Looking for more recipes like this one? These are a few of our favorites:

• Navajo Tacos
• Naan Recipe
• Easy Naan Barbecue Shrimp Pizzas
• Naan Taco Salad Mexican Pizzas
• Pita Bread