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.
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.
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.
Secondly, add the room temperature butter and incorporate it into the dry ingredients evenly.
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.
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.
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Jamaican Fried Dumplings Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup of all purpose flour, sifted
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 Tablespoon granulated sugar
- ½ Tablespoon unsalted butter, room temperature
- Approximately ⅓ cup water
Instructions
- Sift the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Add the granulated sugar and whisk it all together.
- Add the room temperature butter to the dry ingredients and use your hands to spread it evenly.
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- Pour about 2 cups of oil in a deep medium pot. Allow the oil to be heated at about 300 F degrees.
- 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.
- 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
- You may not need all the ⅓ of a cup water to knead the dough.
- 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.
- Do not over work the dough when kneading it. As soon as all the ingredients is mixed, stop kneading the dough.
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!
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.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of all purpose flour, sifted
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 Tablespoon granulated sugar
- ½ Tablespoon unsalted butter, room temperature
- Approximately ⅓ cup water
Instructions
- Sift the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Add the granulated sugar and whisk it all together.
- Add the room temperature butter to the dry ingredients and use your hands to spread it evenly.
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- Pour about 2 cups of oil in a deep medium pot. Allow the oil to be heated at about 300 F degrees.
- 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.
- 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
- You may not need all the ⅓ of a cup water to knead the dough.
- 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.
- Do not over work the dough when kneading it. As soon as all the ingredients is mixed, stop kneading the dough.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount 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.
I made my dough the night before and had PERFECT fried dumplins the next morning! By far, the best recipe and method I've tried so far.
I was afraid there was going to be too much sugar but I had mine with Acker and saltfish so the balance was amazing!
Great recipe and I'm looking forward to trying some more of your dishes!
Hi Colin,
I am so happy that you tried the recipe and they came out perfect. Thank you so much for your kind words. Yes the sweetness will balance out with some nice ackee and saltfish. I sometime too cut the sugar in half. Yes please do give the others a try and again, thank you so much.
Best so far...was not too sticky or too dry.....perfect quantity for the ingredients.
Hi Shenique,
Thanks for your kind words and for giving it a try. I appreciate your support.
I'm definitely going to try this recipe sometime this week. I've always been fascinated by trying different recipes. As a Jamaican young adult, dumplings are one of my favourite things to eat. Can't wait to try this out.
Hi Emmanuel,
Please let me know what you think about it when you give it a try. Thank you.
@Yanique Vincent, I done every step but they burnt at the end
I am so sorry to hear that. The temperature of your oil was too hot. What temperature did you fry them in? The temperature should be 300 F as in the instructions. If you have a Thermometer, check the temperature. Or just heat the oil on medium low. I really hope you give it another try. Again, sorry they got burnt.
Best dumplings ever!!
I made them twice back to back to ensure consistency and that it was not just a buck up lol Very soft inside and crispy outside and a hint of sweetness. By far the best I had. Thank you!!
Hi Marie,
Thank you for your kind words. I am so glad you gave it a try. Yes we don't want no buck round here lol. Honestly, that's what I do too...3 or 4 times I will do a recipe, just to make sure the consistency is there fa real. Thanks again.
Made these soft yet crispy dumplings for my kids, dare I say they might be better than my moms 😂
Hi Justice,
Shhhh don't let your mom hear you say that LOL... I appreciate your kind words. Thank you.
I made these for the first time and they were absolutely perfect! So delicious I’m so happy I made double the amount. I actually came back on here to make some more and decided to leave a comment while I’m here 🙂 THANK YOU SO MUCH For one of my new favourite recipes !
Hi Tiny,
You are most welcome. I am glad you found this recipe. Thanks again.
Hi I just followed your recipe,and yes for once my dumplings are soft and moist. I’m enjoying it with a cup of chocolate tea🙌🏾 thanks
Hi Kady, I am glad your dumplings came out soft and moist. You are most welcome. Yes a cup of hot chocolate is the way to go. Delicious.
When you cover the dough and leave it overnight, is that in the refrigerator?
Hi Temani, yes you can leave it in the refrigerator overnight. Sorry I didn't add that to the notes.
Used your recipe. They were so good. Can you triple the recipe?
Hi Ceci,
Yes you can triple the recipe...I do 4 times the recipe all the time for my family. Thanks for giving it a try.
Hi,
I actually just made some dumpings before finding your recipe. Like many Caribbeaners I went freehand and didn't follow a recipe. Unfortunately my dumplings came out tough. I'm wondering if it was due to too much baking powder or too little? Please advise.
Thanks
Hi Sasha,
I do apologize but I would not be able to advise you on what happened to the dumplings you made before finding my recipe. Sorry about that.
Ive tried to make this twice both times they seem to get crumbly well in deep fryer any suggestions?
Hi Robert,
I am not sure what is causing them to get crumbly. I too have always used a deep fryer to fry my dumplings, so I am not sure why this is happening. Are you using all purpose flour and all the other ingredients with the exact measurement as listed? Does the dough, after mixing looks just as mine as shown in the pictures?
@Yanique Vincent, yes exactly im goin to try again tomorrow wiil post pics after i make them fingers crossed 😉
Hi Robert,
Just seeing your reply. Sorry about that. I hope they did turn out great this time.
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
Hi Roshawn,
I am glad you came close to hers. Awesome.
This is the recipe I base the way I cook my Jamerican fried dumplings off of, thanks Ms. Yanique! 🙂
You are most welcome Derreck.
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 😩😂
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.
I've tried this recipe a few times and they always come out perfect. The best recipe I've found. Thank you.
Hi Deena,
Thank you for your kind words. I appreciate them. Thanks for giving it a try.