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Home » Americas » Mexican Recipes

Published: Sep 11, 2018 · Modified: Jun 16, 2021 by Sandhya Ramakrishnan · This post may contain affiliate links

Navajo Taco With Indian Fry Bread

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indian fry bread

Indian Fry Bread, is a very popular deep fried Flatbread that is used to make the Navajo Tacos. This bread is also used to make a simple dessert when drizzled with honey or sprinkled with powdered sugar.

I love going to the fairs. We look forward to the fair time every year and speaking of fairs, the Oklahoma State Fair happens in the month of August. I love the fair for not just the fun and rides but for the amazing food.

Indian Fry Bread stacked on a plate

Fair food is something that cannot be compensated for and we start devouring it the minute we enter the fairgrounds. Navajo Taco made with Indian Fry Bread is something that we ate for the first time after we moved to Oklahoma.

The best part is any fair stall that sells this, will happily make it as a vegetarian meal with just the beans instead of the meat. The bread itself is the star of the Navajo Taco and its texture is something that cannot be swapped with anything else.

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I love watching the stalls making these giant Fry bread and always wondered if I would be able to make this at home anytime.

Navajo taco with toppings

History of Navajo Taco

Thanks to the A to Z International Flatbread theme, that I was able to research into the recipe and make this beautiful Indian Fry Bread at home. Based on what I read, the Navajo's who are the Native American people created this bread in the 1800's . They were living in Arizona at that time and were asked to relocate to New Mexico.

This was about 300 mile journey that they had to take and the US government provided them with just flour, sugar, salt and lard. The Navajos made this bread with the supplies that was given to them for their journey.

The Navajo Fry Bread needs just the basic ingredient and is so simple to make. Once I make the bread, the toppings for this taco is unlimited. We can make it sweet or savory. I used the Indian Fry Bread to make the Navajo Tacos that I often eat at the fair. The sweet version can be as simple as the bread drizzled with honey or sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Fry bread with beans, lettuce, cheese and salsa on the side

Ingredients needed

  • All Purpose Flour - 2 cups
  • Baking powder - 2 tsp
  • Salt - 1 tsp
  • Oil - 2 tablespoon Plus more to fry the bread
  • Water - as needed to make the dough
  • Lettuce, beans, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream - to assemble the Navajo Taco
Fry bread in a plate

Step by step process

To make the Fry Bread - 

  • In a bowl, add the flour, baking powder and salt and mix to combine.
  • Slowly add warm water to the flour and mixing to combine. Add about 1 tablespoon of oil and knead to form a very soft dough. The dough will be a little sticky. We don't have to knead it too much. Just knead enough to make a soft dough.
  • Pour the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil over the dough and spread around the surface.
  • Cover the bowl and let the dough rest for at least an hour. It is alright to rest the dough longer.
dough resting for fry bread
  • Heat about 2 inches of oil in a pan to deep fry the bread.
  • Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces and roll them into a ball.
  • Using your hands, stretch the dough to form a thin circle. I used my rolling pin to slightly roll it and then pulled from all the sides to stretch it thinner.
  • Stretch the dough as thin as you can get without tearing it too much.
shaping the dough to make Indian fry bread
  • Drop a tiny piece of dough into the oil to see if it rises up immediately. If it comes up right away, the oil is ready. If it takes a little time to rise, then wait a few minutes for the oil to heat up.
  • Carefully slide the stretched dough into the hot oil and fry on both sides until golden brown. The dough will retract a bit when dropped onto the oil.
  • Drain the Fry Bread on a tray lined with paper towels.
frying the fry bread in oil
  • Repeat with rest of the dough.

To assemble the Navajo Taco - 

  • When ready to assemble, place the prepared bread on a plate.
  • Top with beans, then lettuce, cheese, tomatoes and sour cream and serve.
Navajo taco

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 If you made this recipe and liked it, give a star rating on the recipe card or let me know in the comments below. You could also share it with me on Instagram using #MyCookingJourney and tagging me @sandhya.ramakrishnan. You could follow me and my recipes on Facebook |Instagram | Pinterest | twitter

Indian Fry Bread | Navajo Taco with Indian Fry Bread

Navajo Taco with Indian Fry Bread

Indian Fry Bread, is a very popular deep fried Flatbread that is used to make the Navajo Tacos. Indian Fry bread is also used to make a simple dessert when drizzled with honey or sprinkled with powdered sugar.
5 from 7 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Flatbread, Lunch Recipes, Main Course, Street Food
Cuisine: American Indian, Mexican
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Resting time: 1 hour
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Calories: 238kcal
Author: Sandhya Ramakrishnan

Ingredients

  • 2 cups All Purpose Flour
  • 2 teaspoon Baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 2 tablespoon Oil plus more to deep fry
  • as needed Water
  • Lettuce, beans, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream to assemble the Navajo Taco

Instructions

  • In a bowl, add the flour, baking powder and salt and mix to combine.
  • Slowly add warm water to the flour and mixing to combine. Add about 1 tablespoon of oil and knead to form a very soft dough. The dough will be a little sticky. We don't have to knead it too much. Just knead enough to make a soft dough.
  • Pour the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil over the dough and spread around the surface.
  • Cover the bowl and let the dough rest for at least an hour. It is alright to rest the dough longer.
  • Heat about 2 inches of oil in a pan to deep fry the Indian Fry Bread.
  • Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces and roll them into a ball.
  • Using your hands, stretch the dough to form a thin circle. I used my rolling pin to slightly roll it and then pulled from all the sides to stretch it thinner.
  • Stretch the dough as thin as you can get without tearing it too much.
  • Drop a tiny piece of dough into the oil to see if it rises up immediately. If it comes up right away, the oil is ready. If it takes a little time to rise, then wait a few minutes for the oil to heat up.
  • Carefully slide the stretched dough into the hot oil and fry on both sides until golden brown. The dough will retract a bit when dropped onto the oil.
  • Drain the Fry Bread on a tray lined with paper towels.
  • Repeat with rest of the dough.
  • When ready to assemble, place the Indian fry bread on a plate.
  • Top with beans, then lettuce, cheese, tomatoes and sour cream and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 238kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 397mg | Potassium: 34mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 64mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @Sandhya.Ramakrishnan or tag #MyCookingJourney!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Renu says

    October 23, 2018 at 1:34 pm

    5 stars
    This is new to me and looks delicious. I would too add on some chopped cucumber and tomaotes on top of this and would indulge in this delicious fried bread.

    Reply
  2. code2cook says

    October 20, 2018 at 6:11 pm

    5 stars
    Awesome, I am drooling over the final result click Sandhya. This Indian fry bread with all garnishing making me drool over n over again. well done, you did a great job.

    Reply
  3. preeti garg says

    October 15, 2018 at 1:04 am

    Wow.. totally mouthwatering.. never thought fried poori served like this way. awesome.

    Reply
  4. Srivalli says

    October 14, 2018 at 9:08 pm

    Fantastic one Sandhya, I love this fry bread and you have made it even more sinful by topping it with those ingredients. Must have tasted awesome right...very nice take!

    Reply
  5. Padmajha PJ says

    October 10, 2018 at 11:40 am

    5 stars
    I love going to fairs and as you said for the food, though I am scared to buy a some of them worried that the kids might fall sick!Anyways, it was nice reading about the history of the dish.With the toppings, this Indian fry bread looks absolutely inviting!

    Reply
  6. Ritu Tangri says

    September 18, 2018 at 11:39 am

    5 stars
    This taco with Indian fry bread is making me drool. Lovely find Sandhya

    Reply
  7. Vaishali Sabnani says

    September 14, 2018 at 10:15 pm

    I am loving this post , absolutely wonderful find and the savoury version is making me drool . I am
    In an aircraft now and wish they would provide me with something as delicious as this bread .
    Super !

    Reply
  8. Mayuri Patel says

    September 14, 2018 at 2:07 pm

    5 stars
    My mouth is watering Sandhya.. I had made this sometime back and we loved it. In fact made a couple of times when my son was visiting us and after that haven't... have to remember to make it again. Love how it can be served with any topping or even enjoyed on its own.

    Reply
  9. Gayathri Raani says

    September 13, 2018 at 4:08 am

    We always go to exhibition to enjoy all the food available there. The fry bread sounds very easy to make and love all those toppings you have added. This one would make a filling meal. The sweet version also sounds so delicious..

    Reply
  10. harini says

    September 12, 2018 at 7:14 am

    5 stars
    OMG! That is definitely something my family would love to eat on a regular basis. Very interesting find and good read on the history too, Sandhya.

    Reply
  11. Priya Suresh says

    September 12, 2018 at 12:04 am

    Omg, this is definitely my kind of food. Taco with Indian fry bread looks absolutely irresistible and seriously drool worthy. Interesting find Sandhya.. Well done.

    Reply
  12. Sowmya says

    September 11, 2018 at 8:25 pm

    5 stars
    I totally agree with you...there are so many unique dishes at fairs that we don’t see otherwise. Love this fried flatbread. It looks so beautiful and inviting! Awesome pick for I

    Reply

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I am Sandhya Ramakrishnan, author, recipe developer and photographer in this journey! 'My Cooking Journey' is all about family friendly Vegetarian and Vegan recipes from around the World with focus on Indian cuisine.

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