Fried bread is a global food with many variations, including Native American frybread, British fried bread, Mexican tortillas, Indian chapatti, and Chinese youtiao. It can be made with simple or elaborate recipes and is often served as part of a hearty breakfast or as a vehicle for other foods.
Almost every area of the world has a recipe for fried bread. The actual term can refer to a British treat of sliced bread, but it can also refer to any type of bread that has been fried. There are yeasted fried breads, such as Native American fried bread, and unleavened breads such as tortillas. While many recipes are simply flour and water that have been stirred and fried, some are more elaborate.
The name “fried bread” is used specifically in the UK to refer to a loaf of white bread or sourdough bread that has been fried on both sides in a pan of bacon fat. The bread can be fried in oil and is traditionally served with other foods or as part of a hearty breakfast. It can also refer to toast that has been dipped in egg and fried, known as French toast.
Similarly, “frybread” is a term used to describe a variety of bread recipes cooked by Native Americans. Native American fried bread is often a mix of water, flour and salt that is fried over a fire or fried in oil. There are many variations, including recipes that have squash or other vegetables included in the dough.
In Mexican and South American cuisine, fried bread might be known as a tortilla, among other names. A tortilla is made from a simple dough made from water and white flour or cornmeal. The dough is pressed down to form a wide, thin circle and then deep-fried, sometimes in oil or lard. It is often used as a vehicle for other foods.
In parts of India, a type of unleavened fried bread known as chapatti or roti is common. Chapati is also just a mixture of flour and water that is formed into disks. The discs are cooked in a dry skillet until they take on some colour. While served with dishes and used for dipping into other foods, the bread itself may be covered in butter or ghee before eating.
In China, there is a type of fried bread known as youtiao. It is a leavened bread that is formed into long strips and then fried. Youtiao is enjoyed for breakfast along with a sweet rice dish.
Foods that are considered fried bread can take many forms. One of the most common fried breads is a pancake. This is just a dough that is fried in a pan until cooked. It is sometimes served with sweet syrup on top.
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