This Fry Bread Tacos recipe is a crispy and chewy recipe, which is a fun and delicious twist on a classic taco night. It’s a satisfying comfort food meal, ready in about 30 minutes, plus dough rising time.
Jump to RecipeFry Bread Tacos Recipe Ingredients
For the Fry Bread Dough:
- 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- 1 ½ cups warm water (about 110°F)
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- Avocado oil or vegetable oil, for frying
For the Taco Meat:
- 1 lb. Ground Beef
- 1 tsp. Chili Powder
- 1 tsp. Cumin
- 1 tsp. Onion Powder
- 1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For Serving:
- Sour Cream
- Salsa
- Shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack Cheese
- Shredded Lettuce
How To Make Fry Bread Tacos
- Make the Dough: In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar in the warm water and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Pour in the yeast mixture and stir until a shaggy dough forms.
- Let the Dough Rise: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 3-5 minutes until smooth. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 to 1.5 hours, until doubled in size.
- Cook the Taco Meat: While the dough rises, heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until it is no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease. Sprinkle the chili powder, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper over the meat and stir to combine. Keep warm.
- Heat the Oil: In a small, high-walled skillet, heat about 2-3 inches of oil to 365-370ºF. Line a baking sheet with paper towels.
- Fry the Bread: Pull off a piece of the risen dough that’s a bit smaller than a golf ball. On a floured surface, stretch or roll it out into a thin, flattened disc. Poke a small hole in the middle with your finger.
- Cook Until Golden: Carefully lower the dough into the hot oil. Cook for about 1 minute per side, until it is a deep golden brown and puffed up. Remove it to the paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain. Repeat with the remaining dough.
- Assemble and Serve: To serve, take a piece of warm fry bread and spread it with sour cream. Top with a spoonful of the taco meat, salsa, shredded cheese, and lettuce. Devour immediately.

Recipe Tipsi
- How to get light, fluffy fry bread? The most important secret is to not overwork the dough. Knead it just until it’s smooth. A well-risen dough and oil that is at the correct temperature will result in a perfectly light and chewy fry bread.
- How to prevent greasy fry bread? Using a thermometer to maintain an oil temperature of 365-370°F is crucial. If the oil is too cool, the dough will absorb too much oil and become greasy. If it’s too hot, the outside will burn before the inside is cooked.
- Can I make the dough ahead of time? Absolutely! After the dough is kneaded, you can place it in an oiled bowl, cover it tightly, and let it do its first rise slowly in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
- What’s the purpose of the hole in the middle? The small hole in the center of the dough helps the fry bread to cook more evenly and prevents the middle from being undercooked and doughy when the outside is perfectly golden.
What To Serve With Fry Bread Tacos
This is a hearty, all-in-one meal. As the original recipe notes, you don’t have to stop with the suggested toppings! They are also fantastic with:
- Refried beans or black beans
- Guacamole or sliced avocado
- Pico de gallo instead of salsa
- Sliced black olives or diced onions
How To Store Fry Bread Tacos
- Best Eaten Fresh: Fry bread is at its absolute best when it is hot and fresh from the fryer.
- Refrigerate: It is best to store the components separately. The taco meat can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The dough can also be refrigerated for a day.
- Reheating Fry Bread: While not as good as fresh, you can reheat leftover fry bread for a few minutes in a 350°F oven or in an air fryer to restore some of its crispiness.
Fry Bread Tacos Nutrition Facts
- Serving: 1 taco
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Protein: 28g
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Sodium: 950mg
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Fry bread is a simple, flat dough bread that is fried or deep-fried in oil. It is a staple in Native American cuisine and is served either savory with toppings (like this recipe) or sweet with honey, butter, and powdered sugar.
Yes. This recipe is fantastic with seasoned, shredded chicken, or ground turkey as a substitute for the ground beef.
You can, but it will no longer be “fry bread.” If you bake the dough discs at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, you will have a soft, baked flatbread, which would also be a delicious (though different) base for your tacos.
Try More Recipes:
Fry Bread Tacos Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy10
servings15
minutes20
minutes550
kcalA fun and delicious dinner featuring a base of light and chewy homemade fry bread, piled high with savory taco-seasoned beef and all your favorite fresh toppings.
Ingredients
Dough: 1 packet active dry yeast, 1 tsp sugar, 1 ½ cups warm water, 4 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp salt.
Meat: 1 lb. Ground Beef, 1 tsp each of Chili Powder, Cumin, & Onion Powder; 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder.
Toppings: Sour cream, salsa, shredded cheese, shredded lettuce.
Frying: Avocado or vegetable oil.
Directions
- Make the fry bread dough by activating the yeast, then mixing it with the flour, baking powder, and salt. Knead for 3-5 minutes. Let it rise for 1.5 hours until doubled.
- While the dough rises, cook the taco meat by browning the ground beef with all the seasonings.
- Heat 2-3 inches of oil in a pot to 365-370ºF.
- Pull off small balls of the risen dough, stretch them into thin discs, and poke a hole in the middle.
- Fry each piece of dough for about 1 minute per side until golden brown and puffed.
- Assemble the tacos by topping a warm fry bread with sour cream, meat, and other desired toppings.
Notes
- The most important tip for this recipe is to maintain an oil temperature of 365-370°F for a fry bread that is crispy, not greasy.
- Don’t overwork the dough; just a few minutes of kneading is all it needs to become smooth.
- The small hole poked in the center of the dough is the secret to ensuring the fry bread cooks evenly all the way through.
- This is a perfect, fun meal for a family taco night. Set up a “taco bar” with all the toppings and let everyone build their own!