Easy Fry Bread Tacos

Shake up taco night by making homemade fry bread to replace your shells and tortillas! Made with just 3 ingredients, this fry bread is easy to make, is soft and pillowy on the inside with a lightly crisp outside. Fry bread tacos are a family favorite and are filling too. Great for satisfying families with growing big kids!

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When taco night is well-loved but is getting a bit tired, jazz things up by switching your shells and tortillas out for homemade fry bread!

Fry bread is pillowy and soft on the inside with a crunchy outside. The taste and texture is similar to the chalupa shells they serve at Taco Bell.

★ Why You'll Love this Recipe ★

These fry bread tacos are quick and easy to make with a 3-ingredient dough. Pan-fry the dough into light fluffy discs of bread that are golden brown and crispy yet soft on the inside. Top your individual fry bread shells with taco meat, refried beans, and all the taco toppings you like. 

This is a great way to put a new spin on taco night and always a crowd-pleasing family favorite.

Go crazy with the toppings, salsa, jalapeños, olives, guacamole would all be delicious in addition to the standard taco toppings — cheese, lettuce, sour cream, and tomato.

★ Ingredients You'll Need ★

The fry bread is made with just 3 ingredients plus you'll need your standard taco ingredients.

Here's a look at everything you'll need:

For the Fry Bread Dough

• Self-rising flour. Or you can add ½ tablespoon baking powder to all purpose or bread flour.
• Water or milk. Milk will give your fry bread a more rich flavor. Warm it slightly in the microwave to help the baking soda activate and work its magic to create fluffy shells!
• Salt. Fine grain sea salt or regular table salt works.
• You'll also need oil for frying the dough. Any cooking oil will work. I like to use avocado oil.

For the Tacos

• Ground beef. You can also use chicken.
• Onion. To help season the meat.
• Taco seasoning. Plus water as directed on the package.
• Toppings: lettuce, shredded cheese, tomatoes, sour cream, and any other toppings you love on your tacos.

That's it! Simple!

★ How to Make this Recipe ★

These fry bread tacos come together in 3 main steps.

Here's a look:

1. Make fry bread by mixing dough ingredients and frying in a pan.
2. Cook taco meat and heat refried beans.
3. Layer meat, beans, and toppings onto fry bread.

These are super easy and a super fun treat for taco night!

★ Tips & FAQs ★

What is fry bread?

Fry bread is a traditional Native American flatbread that is made by frying a simple dough mixture. It's known for its crispy exterior and soft interior, making it a versatile base for various toppings and ideal for delicious tacos!

How do I make fry bread at home?

Making fry bread involves mixing flour, salt, baking powder, and water or milk to form a dough. The dough is then shaped into rounds and fried until golden brown. There are various recipes available online to guide you through the process.

What other types of fry bread tacos can I make?

Fry bread tacos are incredibly versatile. You can top them with a variety of ingredients such as seasoned meats (beef, chicken, pork), beans, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, salsa, black olives, and more. The options are endless, allowing you to customize your tacos to your liking.

Can I make the fry bread with yeast?

If you prefer yeast-activated fry bread for that extra bready flavor and more airiness, you can simply add an instant yeast in with the warm milk in place of the baking powder.

What are the origins of fry bread tacos?

While fry bread itself has historical roots in Native American cuisine, the concept of fry bread tacos is a more recent adaptation. It combines the traditional fry bread with ingredients like seasoned meats and toppings commonly found in tacos.

Can I prepare fry bread in advance?

Fry bread is best served fresh for optimal taste and texture; however, you can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it until you're ready to fry. Ensure the dough is at room temperature before shaping and cooking for the best results. Too cold and the dough will not get as fluffy as it should.

Can fry bread be baked instead of fried?

Traditionally, fry bread is pan-fried using a small amount of cooking oil to achieve its characteristic soft yet crispy texture. While you may experiment with baking, it might yield a different result. Frying is recommended for the authentic taste and texture.

What else can I do with fry bread?

You can use fry bread just like a flat bread to make sandwiches or even a dessert! To create a dessert, add sweet toppings like Nutella, cinnamon-sugar, powdered sugar, or whipped cream.

Fry bread can also be cut into pieces and serve with a dip! Try it with my street corn dip.

How do I store leftover fry bread?

If you have leftover fry bread, store it in an airtight container at room temperature. Reheat in a toaster or oven for a few minutes to restore its crispiness.

Can I freeze fry bread?

Yes, you can freeze fry bread for later use. Allow it to cool completely, then place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. To reheat, thaw and warm in an oven or toaster.

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This easy recipe for fry bread tacos was featured on South your Mouth!