If You Love Sopapillas, You Will Love Crispy and Light Navajo Fry Bread and Tacos

Sunday, October 13^th is Indigenous Peoples Day in Colorado. During this time, I love to make my college roommate’s Navajo Fry Bread. Being a Navajo descendant, her recipe has been handed down by her family for generations. The light and crusty Native American bread stretches back generations, particularly in the Navajo Nation. The bread is now enjoyed all over the U.S. and can be easily found at roadside diners and food trucks in the Southwest. There is no need to drive to one of these establishments because I have recipes below for traditional Fry Bread and Navajo Tacos.

Navajo Taco can be found in the southwest.Photo byModern Day Foodie

Do you have a recipe for Fry Bread from your region? Kindly tell us about it in the comments.

Fry Bread or Sopapilla?

If you love a good sopapilla, you will love Navajo Fry Bread. There are many recipes out there and they vary with the region. We have included two different recipes below.

Navajo fry bread is very similar to sopapillas. During the mid-1800s, the Navajo people and other tribes were resettled onto reservations in eastern New Mexico. Relying on government rations of flour, sugar, salt, and lard they developed their version of fry bread. During this time, residents of local New Mexico towns received the same ingredients. They created a fluffy, crispy fry bread that became known as sopaipillas. Sopapillas often use shortening and water rather than the milk used in fry bread.

Indigenous Peoples Day in Colorado

There are many Indigenous Peoples Day events this weekend around Colorado.

Dairy Center for the Arts
October 13, 2024:12:30-5:30 pm
Walnut Street, Boulder, CO

A variety of activities, including A welcome by Jerilyn DeCoteau and Christine Yoshinaga-Itano. A performance of Native American flute by Steven Halsey-Williams. A presentation by Rick Williams on how Colorado land was stolen from Native Nations. A panel discussion on how cities and tribes are building new relationships. A demonstration of Indigenous dances by the Rocky Mountain Indigenous Dancers. Art will be on display in the Creative Nations space. A Native American food truck. Hey, maybe they will have fry bread?

Rocky Mountain Equality Center
Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration and Movie Screening
October 13, 2024: 3:00-6:00 pm
3340 Mitchell Ln, Boulder, CO

Feature a celebration and movie screening.

CU Boulder
Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations
October 14, 2024, 11:00 am-1:00 pm: plenary Session and Community Luncheon
Glenn Miller Ballroom, University Memorial Center.
Registration is required for all participants.

October 16, 2024, 2:00-4:00 pm: “Land Back, Language Back” panel discussion, UMC Building 386

Indigenous Peoples' Weekend
Manitou Springs, Colorado
The Fourth Annual Indigenous Peoples' Weekend. Featuring a diverse lineup of events, will unfold across various locations in Manitou Springs from October 12th to 13th.
More Information

Do you know of any other events? Kindly let us know in the comments.

Navajo Flat Bread Recipe

• Vegetable oil, or shortening, as needed
• 1 cup flour, more if needed
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup milk

1. In a deep, 10-inch cast-iron skillet or heavy pan, heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil or shortening to 350 F. Add more oil as needed.
2. Meanwhile, combine 1 cup flour, 1½ teaspoons baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon salt in a bowl. Mix well to blend.
3. Add ½ cup milk and stir until the dough holds together.
4. Knead 3 or 4 times on a floured surface.
5. Divide the dough into 4 uniform pieces and shape each into a ball.
6. Using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll each ball of dough into a circle about ¼ to ½ inch thick. Make a depression in the center of each dough round.
7. Carefully slide 1 or 2 pieces of dough into the hot oil. Fry for about 1 to 2 minutes on each side, or until lightly browned.
8. Remove the fried dough to paper towels to drain.

Navajo Tacos with Air Fryer

Fry Bread TacoPhoto byWikipedia

Dough

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 Tablespoon baking powder
• ¾ cup milk
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Navajo Tacos Filling

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 15 ounces pinto beans, 1 can, rinsed and drained
• 1-ounce taco seasoning, 1 packet
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 cup shredded lettuce, (optional topping)
• 6 tablespoons sour cream, (optional topping)
• 6 tablespoons shredded cheddar cheese, (optional topping)
• Pico de Gallo, (optional topping)
• Guacamole, (optional topping)
• Black olives, (optional topping)

1. In a mixing bowl, combine fry bread dough ingredients with a fork until completely mixed.
2. Divide dough into 6 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a smooth ball, cover it with a towel, and set aside.
3. Using fingers, press each of the balls into flat discs about 5 inches in diameter. Have the edges be slightly thicker than the centers by pushing your finger into the center.
4. Pour vegetable oil onto a shallow plate and coat both sides of each piece of the flattened dough in oil, then lay them in the air fryer basket (depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to do this in a couple of shifts).
5. Set the temperature on the air fryer to 375 degrees and set the time to 10 minutes, then press start.
6. While the dough is in the air fryer, prepare the taco ingredients.
7. In a large skillet, brown ground beef and onion until the beef is no longer pink. Drain, then add beans, taco seasoning, and salsa. Let simmer for about 5 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
8. When time is complete on the air fryer, remove the completed fry bread to a plate and cover with a towel. Repeat with the remaining dough.
9. When all fry bread is cooked, serve topped with ground beef mixture and your favorite taco toppings.

Do you have any suggestions for ingredients? How do you make this recipe? Kindly let us know in the comments.

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References

Fry Bread