If you follow me on Instagram, on Jamaican Independence Day I asked who would want a recipe for Jamaican Fried Dumplings. The consensus on Instagram and Facebook was a loud “Yes, please!” So the last few times I’ve made these dumplings I’ve been working on getting the measurements down on paper. And today I am finally here with a recipe to share with you all!
If you don’t know, I’m half Jamaican and half Belizean. I’ve grown up eating the most delicious Caribbean cuisines. And as most of us know, our ancestors never measured ingredients. Don’t even bother to ask because the answer will always be “I don’t know. I just add enough until it looks right.” The struggle! Fried dumplings are a staple for many Jamaican dishes. It was important to me that I learned how to make them. I’ve been working on this particular Jamaican Fried Dumplings recipe for at least a year. It’s always great when you can recipe test your favorite dishes, but it’s even more fun to make it with beautiful quality kitchenware!
Jamaican Fried Dumpling Tips:
- Test a small piece of dough in the oil before starting. You want to be sure the oil isn’t too hot or not hot enough.
- I use real butter for this recipe. If you use margarine or vegetable oil based butter the consistency will be different but still taste good.
- The dumplings should gradually turn golden brown. If they fry too quickly they won’t evenly cook.
- These dumplings taste good with both sweet and savory condiments or dishes. Try it all and figure out what you like best!
Jamaican Fried Dumplings
Ingredients
- 4 cups All Purpose Flour
- 2 tsp. Salt
- 2 tsp. Baking Powder
- 2 Tbsp. Butter softened
- 1 Tbsp. Sugar
- 2 1/4 cups Water
- 1.5 cups Vegetable Oil
Instructions
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In a large mixing bowl combine the flour. salt, baking powder, and sugar. Mix the dry ingredients together well.
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Add the softened butter and gently mix together.
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Slowly pour about 1/4th to 1/2 cup of water in at a time and knead as you pour. Keep doing this until the ingredients combine into a ball of dough that isn't overly sticky.
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In a large frying pan heat the vegetable oil on medium heat.
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While the oil heats tear pieces of the dough off and roll into about 2 inch sized balls.
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When they're semi-smooth pat them flat until they're about an inch or so thick. Put on a plate and cut two slits on top with a sharp knife. Repeat these steps until all of the dough is gone.
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Use a pair of tongs to place 5-6 dumplings in the hot oil. Fry on each side for about 3-5 minutes or until golden brown. This will vary based on how hot your oil in the pan is.
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Line a plate with paper towel and place the finished fried dumplings on it as you take them out of the oil.
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Repeat these steps until all of the dumplings are fried. Let them cool off for a few minutes and enjoy!
This looks delicious going to try this recipe
Thank you! Please let me know how it turns out for you!
This was such a good recipe!!! My family and housemates loved it
I’m so happy you and your family/housemates loved the recipe! Thank you for sharing!
I’m definitely making these tonight. Ill let you know they come out
I hope they turned out good for you!
These looks delicious! Can you give some ideas on how you serve them in a meal? Like a sauce to put over them, or as a side dish? Thanks!
They are perfect as a side dish. Think of Jamaican Fried Dumplings as the equivalent to biscuits or dinner rolls. I hope that helps!
Would you serve this with Jamaican meat patties or would that be too much breading?
It honestly depends on how much breading you like. It would be slightly too much for me, but people eat Jamaican meat patties with coco bread all the time so it’s definitely preference!
Just made this with Ackee and saltfish and needless to say it was a hit. Thank you for sharing.
I’m SO happy you enjoyed the recipe. It’s my fav with ackee & saltfish 🙌🏾
Tried it and it was great family enjoyed them for breakfast.
I’m SO happy you and your family enjoyed the recipe, Paulette! Thank you for sharing 🙂