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Jamaican Fried Dumplings

Jamaican Fried Dumplings

Jamaican Fried Dumplings or “Johnny Cakes” are crispy on the outside and perfectly soft on the inside.

They are the perfect comfort food for every Jamaicans.

Jamaican Fried Dumplings are a popular food that can be eaten for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Every household prepares this food.

In fact, there is someone right now preparing some in their kitchen for their family to eat.

Better yet, not just in homes, but at the roadside restaurants and even the famous Hotels on the Island of Jamaica.

Overall, it is a favorite of every Jamaican.

Pinterest Image for Jamaican Fried Dumplings Recipe. Pin for later.
Pin for later.

In other Caribbean countries, such as Trinidad, Saint Lucia and Guyana, it is referred to as Bakes.

In fact, every country in the Caribbean has their own way of making this fried dough.

The same ingredients is used but the shape or the texture changes.

But remains the same, some flour dough fried.

Let’s just say that these Jamaican Fried Dumplings will remind you of some soft donuts, with no hole in the middle and sugar coating on the outside.

What are Jamaican Fried Dumplings?

This special type of comfort food can go with just about any thing you are eating.

Fried Dumplings is a dough mixture of flour, salt, baking powder, butter, and water.

The dough is divided into small pieces and then formed into small balls, which is then fried in some vegetable oil.

Let’s just say that these are small golden balls of pure goodness.

These comfort food are quite similar to my Jamaican Festivals and Saltfish Fritters.

You can also give them a try too.

What to serve with Jamaican Fried Dumplings?

Jamaican Fried Dumplings are great all by itself and need nothing to go with it.

However, some popular dishes that Fried Dumplings go well with are:

How do you reheat Jamaican Fried Dumplings?

It’s never good to reheat Jamaican Fried Dumplings.

If you reheat the dumplings, it can result in it being hard and tough to chew.

I would suggest, making enough to eat and serve immediately.

You can make the dough ahead of time and when you are ready, you can fry them.

Also, if you have a warmer (like a patty warmer), keep them in it after frying them.

An opened Jamaican Fried Dumplings to show the soft texture inside.

How to make Jamaican Fried Dumplings from scratch?

These beautiful golden comfort food are the best side dish that you will love, even if you are a not a Jamaican.

Once you gather your ingredients, you will have some Jamaican Fried Dumplings to eat for whatever meal you choose.

Firstly, combine all of the dry ingredients together and whisk.

All the ingredients to make some Fried Dumplings.

Secondly, add the room temperature butter and incorporate it into the dry ingredients evenly.

The process of making the dough to make some Fried Dumplings.

Thirdly, slowly add the water little by little to the mixture and use your hands to form a dough. Once the dough is formed, cover it and allow to rest for about an hour.

After the dough was formed, it was covered and allow to rest for about an hour.

Lastly, cut the dough into six pieces and formed each pieces into a ball. Add the balls to the heated oil and let then fry. Drain them on a paper towel and enjoy while it is warm.

Cut the dough into six pieces to make Dumplings.
Two ways of rolling a dumpling before frying it.
The 6 finished Jamaican Fried Dumplings.

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Jamaican Fried Dumplings Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of all purpose flour, sifted
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 Tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1/2 Tablespoon unsalted butter, room temperature
  • Approximately 1/3 cup water

Instructions

  1. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Add the granulated sugar and whisk it all together.
  2. Add the room temperature butter to the dry ingredients and use your hands to spread it evenly.
  3. Pour the water little by little and mix it all together, by using your hand to form a dough. Don’t over work the dough. It will be soft, but this is what will make the dumplings soft on the inside and crispy on the outside.
  4. Leave the dough in the bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Leave it covered for about an hour or let it stay overnight (which is even better).
  5. Dust your surface with a small amount of flour and knead the dough. Divide into six pieces and use both hands (the palm of your hand) by doing a circular motion to form each pieces into a ball. Set each ball aside.
  6. Pour about 2 cups of oil in a deep medium pot. Allow the oil to be heated at about 300 F degrees.
  7. Add each ball to the heated oil and let them fry for about 8 to 10 minutes by rotating each side as it fries. I used a deep fryer to fry this recipe.
  8. Put them on a paper towel to drain off any excess oil and cool. Enjoy them while they are warm, whether by itself or with some flavorful & delicious Jamaican Curry Chicken.

Notes

  1. You may not need all the 1/3 of a cup water to knead the dough.
  2. After kneading the dough, it will be soft, but do not worry. That’s the texture you want it to be. This will make the dumplings soft on the inside and crispy on the outside.
  3. Do not over work the dough when kneading it. As soon as all the ingredients is mixed, stop kneading the dough.
Some beautiful Jamaican Fried Dumplings.

Please let me know what you think about this Jamaican Fried Dumplings recipe, by leaving a comment in the comment section below.

Also, leave a Star Rating too.

Thanks for stopping by and please come back again.

Blessings & Love, as you carry on, on your YouNique Journey!

Golden Brown Jamaican Fried Dumplings.

Jamaican Fried Dumplings

Yield: 6 Servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Jamaican Fried Dumplings or "Johnny Cakes" are crispy on the outside and perfectly soft on the inside. They are the perfect comfort food for every Jamaicans.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of all purpose flour, sifted
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 Tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1/2 Tablespoon unsalted butter, room temperature
  • Approximately 1/3 cup water

Instructions

    1. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Add the granulated sugar and whisk it all together.
    2. Add the room temperature butter to the dry ingredients and use your hands to spread it evenly.
    3. Pour the water little by little and mix it all together, by using your hand to form a dough. Don't over work the dough. It will be soft, but this is what will make the dumplings soft on the inside and crispy on the outside.
    4. Leave the dough in the bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Leave it covered for about an hour or let it stay overnight (which is even better).
    5. Dust your surface with a small amount of flour and knead the dough. Divide into six pieces and use both hands (the palm of your hand) by doing a circular motion to form each pieces into a ball. Set each ball aside.
    6. Pour about 2 cups of oil in a deep medium pot. Allow the oil to be heated at about 300 F degrees.
    7. Add each ball to the heated oil and let them fry for about 8 to 10 minutes by rotating each side as it fries. I used a deep fryer to fry this recipe.
    8. Put them on a paper towel to drain off any excess oil and cool. Enjoy them while they are warm, whether by itself or with some flavorful & delicious Jamaican Curry Chicken.

Notes

  1. You may not need all the 1/3 of a cup water to knead the dough.
  2. After kneading the dough, it will be soft, but do not worry. That's the texture you want it to be. This will make the dumplings soft on the inside and crispy on the outside.
  3. Do not over work the dough when kneading it. As soon as all the ingredients is mixed, stop kneading the dough.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 101Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 211mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 1gSugar: 4gProtein: 2g

The nutritional information that is provided, is computer generated and therefore it is an estimate. Please do your own research with the ingredients that are listed here, if you have any concern about any specific diet or your health.

Sammy

Sunday 5th of November 2023

Oh wow made the dumplings and my gosh they tasted amazing, the recipe was easy to follow and my kids believe I can cook now 😅 will definitely be trying out some others

Yanique Vincent

Thursday 9th of November 2023

Hi Sammy, I am glad you found this recipe easy to follow and that the kids loved it.... Don't worry it will be our little secret ***smiles***. Please let me know what you think when you give the other recipes a try. Thanks for your kind words.

Deena

Sunday 17th of September 2023

I've tried this recipe a few times and they always come out perfect. The best recipe I've found. Thank you.

Yanique Vincent

Tuesday 19th of September 2023

Hi Deena, Thank you for your kind words. I appreciate them. Thanks for giving it a try.

Dee

Saturday 2nd of September 2023

So I used closer to 6 Tbsp of butter vs 1/2..any idea what the results will be? I should’ve known something was off because it was very ‘sticky’. I may just triple or quadruple the other ingredients to add to it and let it rest in the refrigerator overnight 😩😂

Yanique Vincent

Monday 4th of September 2023

Hi Dee, The only thing I can tell you to do is to increase the other ingredients by the amount of butter you added. If my calculation is correct you increase the butter times 12. Let me know how it turns out. Thanks.

Derreck

Friday 1st of September 2023

This is the recipe I base the way I cook my Jamerican fried dumplings off of, thanks Ms. Yanique! :)

Yanique Vincent

Friday 1st of September 2023

You are most welcome Derreck.

Roshawn

Tuesday 25th of July 2023

My mumma used to make delicious fried dumplings and plantain for breakfast all the time because knew I loved them. Following your recipe, I've finally come close to matching hers. Beautifully done

Yanique Vincent

Monday 7th of August 2023

Hi Roshawn, I am glad you came close to hers. Awesome.

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