Tillie Doyle
Indian Fry Bread, also known as Navajo Fry Bread, is a traditional American Indian flatbread. It is usually deep-fried in oil, but can also be cooked in an air fryer with less oil for a healthier option. This bread is often served with sweet toppings like honey, maple syrup, or powdered sugar, or savoury toppings like refried beans, ground beef, shredded cheese, and taco ingredients. The dough is typically made with dry ingredients, water, and oil, and left to rest before being shaped into small, flatbreads and cooked in the air fryer.
Characteristics and Values Table for Air Fryer Indian Fry Bread
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Food | Savory or Sweet |
| Cuisine | Southwestern, Navajo, Native American |
| Ingredients | Dry ingredients, water, oil, milk, gluten-free flour |
| Toppings | Honey, cinnamon, sugar, maple syrup, berries, taco meat, refried beans, sour cream, jackfruit, shredded cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions |
| Cooking Method | Air fryer |
| Cooking Time | 7 minutes on one side, 3 minutes on the other side |
| Temperature | 330°F |
| Calories | 465 kcal |
| Texture | Crispy, soft, chewy, puffy, fluffy |
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What You'll Learn
Dough preparation
Indian Fry Bread is a traditional American Indian flatbread. It is usually prepared sweet, with toppings such as powdered sugar or cinnamon, but it can also be made savoury, or eaten plain to soak up extra sauce and juice from curries or soups.
The first step in making Indian Fry Bread is to prepare the dough. Here is a detailed guide on how to do this:
- Combine all the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. You can use a bread hook attachment if you have one.
- Add the wet ingredients. Start by pouring in the water, and slowly add in the milk until the dough reaches a good consistency. You can also use buttermilk instead of water for a different twist.
- Knead the dough. This can be done by hand or with a bread hook. Knead for at least 5 minutes until the dough is smooth and leaves the sides of the bowl. Do not over-knead the dough, as this will make it tough. You should stop as soon as a firm ball of dough is formed.
- Cover the dough and let it rest. This can be done in a warm place for around 30 minutes, or for up to 2 hours if you have the time.
- Cut the dough into 6 equal pieces and roll each piece into a smooth ball.
- Flatten the dough balls. Use your hands or a rolling pin to compress the dough balls and form small, flatbreads that are about ¼” thick. The edges should be slightly thicker than the centres.
- Cut a small slit in each piece of dough. This will prevent the bread from curling up in the air fryer.
- Coat the dough with oil. You can brush or spray oil onto both sides of the dough, or dip the dough in a shallow plate of oil.
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Cooking method
Indian Fry Bread, also known as Navajo Fry Bread, is a traditional American Indian flatbread. It is usually prepared sweet, with toppings such as maple syrup, powdered sugar, honey, or cinnamon, but it can also be made savoury, with taco toppings such as refried beans, shredded cheese, chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, and ground beef.
To cook Indian Fry Bread in an air fryer, start by preparing the dough. In a mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients. Using a bread hook, mix in the water and oil. You can also use buttermilk or milk instead of water. Knead the mixture on medium-slow for 5-10 minutes until it forms a ball and no longer sticks to the bowl. Do not over-knead the dough, and stop as soon as a firm ball of dough is formed. Place the dough ball in an oiled bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rest for about an hour to two hours.
Once the dough is ready, cut it and form golf ball-sized balls. Using your hands, flatten the dough balls into small, flatbreads about 1/4-inch thick. Cut a small slit about 1/8th of an inch down the middle of each piece of dough to prevent it from curling up during cooking.
Next, place the flattened dough in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the dough in batches to avoid overcrowding. Lightly coat the bottom of the air fryer basket with oil, or brush or spray the dough with oil. Cook the dough at 330°F for 7 minutes, then flip it over and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, until it is puffy and golden brown.
Once the fry bread is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and place it on a plate. Cover it with a towel to keep it warm while you cook the remaining dough. Repeat the process until all the dough is cooked.
Finally, serve the Indian Fry Bread warm with your desired toppings. You can also freeze the cooked fry bread and reheat it in the air fryer or microwave when needed.
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Toppings and serving suggestions
Indian fry bread is a versatile treat that can be served with a variety of toppings and sides. It can be made sweet or savoury, depending on your preference.
For a sweet version, you can drizzle honey or honey butter over the bread and sprinkle with powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, or a cinnamon-sugar mixture. You can also serve it with maple syrup, pie filling, or your favourite berries. If you're feeling extra indulgent, top it off with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream.
On the other hand, if you're craving something savoury, you can turn your Indian fry bread into Navajo tacos. Top your bread with traditional taco toppings such as taco meat, shredded cheese, chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced onions, and sour cream. You can also add refried beans, salsa, guacamole, or pico de gallo. For an extra kick of flavour, try dressings like cilantro ranch or cilantro lime vinaigrette.
Indian fry bread also makes a great side dish. Serve it alongside your favourite curries or soups to soak up all the extra sauce and juices. It's especially delicious with chilli or taco soup.
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Storage and reheating
Indian fry bread is best enjoyed fresh. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature. The bread will stay good for a day or two.
To extend the shelf life of the bread, wrap each piece in plastic wrap and store it in an airtight container in the freezer for up to three months.
When you're ready to enjoy your frozen Indian fry bread, you can reheat it in the microwave or air fryer until warmed through. Alternatively, you can reheat it in the oven. First, preheat the oven to 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, wrap each piece of bread in aluminium foil and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. Finally, open the foil and let the bread crisp up for about five minutes.
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History and cultural significance
Indian fry bread, also known as Navajo fry bread, is a traditional American Indian flatbread. It is a simple bread made with basic ingredients such as flour, water, salt, and sometimes baking powder or yeast. The bread can be served sweet, with toppings like honey, maple syrup, cinnamon, or powdered sugar, or savoury, as a base for Indian tacos or as a side for chilli.
Indian fry bread has a complex cultural history that is intertwined with the colonialism and displacement of Native Americans. The ingredients for fry bread were provided by the United States government to prevent starvation when Native Americans were forcibly relocated from their lands to reservations where they could not grow their traditional foods. As such, the dish is considered by some to be a symbol of colonisation and the oppression of Native Americans. However, it is also seen as a symbol of resilience, with Native Americans demonstrating their creativity and perseverance in the face of hardship by creating this dish.
The recipe and tradition of fry bread spread amongst tribes, and it became an integral part of American Indian cuisine and culture. The process of making and sharing fry bread has become a ritual that is passed down through generations, connecting Native Americans with their history and each other. Fry bread is often served at gatherings and cultural events such as pow wows, where it is used as a way to express hospitality and foster a sense of community.
The significance of fry bread to Native Americans is complex and multifaceted. While it is a beloved food that evokes feelings of comfort and connection to heritage, it is also associated with the painful history of colonisation and displacement. Some Native Americans reject the dish altogether due to its colonial associations, while others embrace it as a symbol of resilience and cultural identity.
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Frequently asked questions
Indian Fry Bread, also known as Navajo Fry Bread, is a traditional American Indian flatbread. It is usually prepared sweet, with toppings like powdered sugar, honey, or cinnamon, but it can also be made savoury, with toppings like refried beans, shredded cheese, and taco meat.
Combine all the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Using a bread hook, mix in the water and oil. Knead on medium-slow for 5-10 minutes until the dough forms a ball and no longer sticks to the bowl. Do not over-knead. Place the dough ball in an oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rest for 2 hours.
Cut the dough and form golf-ball-size balls. Using your hands, compress the dough balls to form small, flatbreads that are about 1/4-inch thick. Cut a slit about 1/8th of an inch down the middle of each piece of dough before air frying to prevent the bread from curling up.
Place the flattened dough in the air fryer basket, spray with oil, and cook at 330°F for 7 minutes. Flip and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until golden brown.
Indian Fry Bread can be served as a sweet dish with toppings like honey, maple syrup, or your favourite berries. It can also be made savoury and used as a base for Navajo or Indian Tacos with toppings like refried beans, shredded cheese, taco meat, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and diced onions.
