13 Step, Pillowy Soft, Fried Dough Recipe!

“Fried dough” is the specific name for a particular variety of fried bread made of yeast dough. It is also known as fry dough, fry bread, fried bread, doughboys, elephant ears, scones, pizza fritte or frying saucers. It was invented in 1864 by the Navajo tribe of the southwestern United States using the flour, sugar, lard, and salt given to them by the U.S. government. The dough is a simple bread dough that you mix together and allow to rise.

This rise time helps develop gluten which gives the fried dough a little chewiness and makes it the perfect snack for sleepovers and family movie nights where everyone can top their fried dough the way they like with maple syrup, cooked fruit or syrup, chocolate sauce, honey, cinnamon sugar or caramel. The possibilities are limitless.

Ingredients:

Dough:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus a little more for working with the dough
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons instant yeast
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 cups water (8 ounces)
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil

Frying:

• 4 cups vegetable oil for frying, preferably peanut oil as it has a higher smoke point and neutral flavor

Toppings:

• ¼ cup butter, melted
• confectioner’s sugar, maple syrup, honey, chocolate syrup, caramel sauce, fruit sauces

Directions:

1. Whisk together the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt in the mixer bowl
2. Add 2 tablespoons of oil and water, mix the dough together at medium-low speed using the dough hook of your mixer.
3. Mix the dough for about 4 to 5 minutes. It should start to gather around the dough hook at this point. If the dough seems too dry, you can sprinkle in tablespoons full of water to bring it together.
4. Grease a large mixing bowl, and add the dough into it. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place the bowl in a warm place for 1½ – 2 hours, until the dough has doubled in size.
5. When the dough has finished rising, pour the oil into a large pot like a cast iron or enameled cast iron pot. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches a temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
6. While the oil heats, start preparing your dough by tipping it over a floured surface and sprinkling the top with flour. Now roll out the dough keeping a thickness of ½ – ¾ inch and cut into 10 equal size pieces.
7. Once the oil is heated up, dust your fingers with a little flour and take a piece of the dough, give it a few gentle stretches and place it in the oil. It should begin to puff up immediately
8. Use a  slotted spoon or tongs to move the dough in the oil and turn it once the underside begins to brown. Continue frying and turning the dough until it is browned on all sides, this should take 2-3 minutes.
9. Remove the dough from the oil and place it on a paper towel to drain the excess oil.
10. Continue frying the other pieces of dough this way. Check the temperature of the oil frequently as you fry to maintain the temperature of 350° F, and adjust the heat under your pan as needed. If the oil is too hot, slide the pan off the burner for a minute or two to bring the temperature down.
11. Once all the dough has been fried, brush it with melted butter which helps lock in the flavor and maintains moisture.
12. Now add a thick dusting of confectioners sugar and a drizzle of chocolate sauce or caramel sauce or maple syrup or honey or anything that you wish to. You can even try fruit syrups.
13. Enjoy the warm dough immediately. This recipe makes about 10 pieces and the leftover dough can be stored covered at room temperature for a day or two.

Notes:

• You can save time by making this fried dough recipe with the store-bought dough but If your ready-made dough is refrigerated, place it in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it come to room temperature before preparing the oil. The frozen dough should be allowed to thaw in the fridge, and then brought to room temperature.

Summary