Air Fryer Indian Fry Bread

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Indian Fry Bread is a traditional American Indian flat bread that are pillows of perfection. Making them in the air fryer makes them healthier and less greasy.


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This Indian Fry Bread is a take on the type of Fry bread that was made on the reservation by the Navajo nation. However, by making this bread in the air fryer you can make it a little healthier with much less oil. Then you can make them sweet by adding maple syrup, powder sugar or your favorite berries or make a savory taco.


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What We Love About This Recipe

This Indian Fry bread is great for Indian Navajo Tacos or for a great side to your favorite chili. They are crispy and bubbly and so very delicious. No need to have a skillet full of hot oil or lard to make this fry bread. This bread was needed for the Indians to do the “long walk” find out it’s history.

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  • Quick Side: Make and use for tacos, or as a side for chili or your favorite main dishes.
  • Easy Ingredients: All pantry staples.
  • Family Friendly: They are just so fun to eat.
  • Adaptable: Can make these fry breads sweet or savory.
  • Makes Great Leftovers: Can use in place of your regular bread anywhere.
A loaded naan bread.

Ingredient Notes

  • All Purpose Flour: Three cups of flour.
  • Salt: 1 teaspoon or to taste.
  • Baking Powder: Make sure it is fresh.
Flour and salt for bread.

Variations and Substitutions

  • Water- Replace the water with butter milk.

How to Make Navajo Fry Bread Recipe

These are the basic steps for making Native American Fry Bread Recipe. Please refer to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions and nutritional facts. Check Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook for more recipes.

STEP 1: DOUGH

First, in a mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients. Second, using a bread hook on your mixer, stir in the water and oil and next, knead on med slow for 5-10 minutes.

STEP 2: REST

Next, place dough ball in an oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth and let dough rest for 2 hours. Then cut the dough and form in golf ball size balls. Using your hands or a rolling pin compress the dough balls to form a small flat bread 1/4” thick.

STEP 3: FRY

Finally, place in air fryer basket and spray with oil. Cook on 330 for 7 minutes, flip, spray again with oil and continue 3 more minutes until golden brown. Allow to drain off any excess oil on paper towels.

Prep and Storage Tips

HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE AHEAD OF TIME

Truly this Indian Fry Bread is best fresh. However, you can make your dough in advance. Simply place in an airtight container and place in the fridge.

HOW TO STORE THIS RECIPE

The bread will stay good for a day or two in an airtight container at room temperature.

HOW TO FREEZE THIS RECIPE

You can also wrap each one individually in plastic wrap and put it in the freezer in an airtight container for up to three months.

HOW TO REHEAT THIS RECIPE

Reheat the native American fry bread recipe  in the microwave or air fryer, before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT KIND OF OIL SHOULD I USE?

Vegetable oil, canola oil or avocado oil all work well.

CAN I SUBSTITUTE BUTTERMILK IN PLACE OF THE WATER?

Yes, that would be a great switch.

CAN THIS RECIPE BE DOUBLED OR HALVED?

Of course, make the amount that you need to feed your family, simply adjust the recipe card below.

WHAT DO YOU PUT IN AN AIR FRYER INDIAN FRY BREAD?

Traditional taco fillings such as ground beef with taco seasoning, shredded beef, chicken or pork, beans, chopped lettuce, tomatoes, black olives, cheese, and sour cream.

A side view of the air fryer indian fry bread.

Expert Tips for Making This Recipe

  • Add Sweet: Top with cinnamon, powdered sugar or Easy Cinnamon Honey Butter.
  • Variation tip: Feel free to top with ice cream and make a sundae.
  • Alternate cooking method tip: These can be fried in oil in a frying pan if you do not have an air fryer.
  • Mix: Do not overmix your dough or it will be tough. Make sure that the dough is thick. It is not a thin wrap.

What to Serve with Air Fryer Indian Fry Bread

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4.53 from 21 votes

Air Fryer Indian Fry Bread

Yield: 12 servings
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Resting Time: 2 hours
Total: 2 hours 35 minutes
Indian Fry Bread is a traditional American Indian flat bread that are pillows of perfection. Making them in the air fryer makes them healthier and less greasy.
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⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️Did you try this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review below!

Ingredients

  • 3 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ¾ cup warm water

Instructions

  • In a mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients.
  • Using a bread hook, mix in the water. Knead on med slow for 5-10 minutes until the dough forms a ball and no longer sticks to the bowl.
  • Place dough ball in an oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth and let dough rest for 2 hours
  • Cut the dough and form in golf ball size balls.
  • Using your hands, compress the dough balls to form a small flat bread 1/4” thick.
  • Place in air fryer basket and spray with oil. Cook on 330 for 7 minutes, flip and cook for 3 more minutes.

Expert Tips

 
    • Add Sweet: Top with cinnamon, powdered sugar or Easy Cinnamon Honey Butter.
    • Variation tip: Feel free to top with ice cream and make a sundae.
    • Alternate cooking method tip: These can be fried in oil in a frying pan if you do not have an air fryer.
    • Mix: Do not overmix your dough or it will be tough. Make sure that the dough is thick. It is not a thin wrap.

Estimated Nutritional Information

Calories: 114kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 195mg | Potassium: 101mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 2mg
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
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Course: Bread
Cuisine: American

This recipe is my personal adaption of an ethnic inspired recipe. It is not intended to be an authentic recipe.  I’ve recreated this recipe because I enjoy the flavors and I want to encourage my readers to expand their tastes and try new flavor combinations. The recipe, ingredients and processes may have been adapted to make the recipe accessible for the average American. I have provided links to authentic versions of the recipe in the post above. I encourage you to visit these pages and learn more about the traditional version(s) of this recipe.

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13 thoughts on “Air Fryer Indian Fry Bread”

  1. 5 stars
    As a Metis was raised eating this recipe exact as listed and called skone, bannok or beaver tails, cooked in oil.. cant wait to airfry it.

    Reply
  2. It’s unnecessary to let this dough rest for 2 hours. It’s not a yeast dough. You’re not waiting for it to rise. Ten minutes is sufficient to rest before shaping and frying. Save your time.

    Reply
  3. I also want to know how much oil – the recipe says to “add oil” but the ingredient list never calls for oil and again, recipe calls for “spraying with oil”. Any specific kind of oil and how much? I used to make Navajo fry bread and it always came out really good but it’s been a long time. Looking for a new recipe.

    Reply
    • It honestly depends on the size of the shrimp. Three minutes should be good, however the best way to judge is visually. Once it is a pinkish color and no longer translucent it is done!

      Reply
  4. 2 stars
    These turned out pale, hard, and flat. Not puffy and crisp as they appear on the photos. They were tough and hard to chew! I followed the recipe exactly. I’m not sure what went wrong.

    Reply

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