The Perfect Belizean Fry Jack: A Step-By-Step Guide

Fry jacks are a popular Belizean breakfast food that can be served sweet or savoury. They are deep-fried dough pieces that can be shaped into squares, circles, or triangles. This versatile dish can be served with sweet toppings like honey, sugar, or jam, or savoury sides like refried beans, cheese, or eggs. Making fry jacks is relatively easy and fast, and they can be whipped up in less than 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Belizean fry jacks are made with a few simple ingredients that you likely already have in your kitchen. Here's what you'll need:

• Flour: Most recipes call for 2 cups of all-purpose flour, but you can replace up to 3/4 cup with whole wheat flour if desired.
• Baking Powder: This is an essential ingredient to give the fry jacks their characteristic lift. You'll need about 2-3 teaspoons of baking powder.
• Shortening: Vegetable shortening is typically used, but you can also use butter. You'll need 1-2 tablespoons.
• Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the flavour.
• Sugar (optional): Some recipes include a tablespoon of sugar, especially if you plan to serve the fry jacks with sweet toppings.
• Milk: Use whole milk or canned coconut milk. You'll need about 3/4 cup.
• Oil for Frying: Vegetable oil is the most common choice for frying the jacks. You'll need enough to fill your pan to a depth of about 3 inches.

Once you have gathered your ingredients, you can start mixing and preparing the dough. In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, and salt), then cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Create a well in the centre and slowly add the milk, kneading the dough until it is soft but not sticky.

Mixing the dough

To make the dough for Belizean fry jacks, you'll need the following ingredients:

• 2 cups of all-purpose flour (you can replace 1/2-3/4 cup with whole wheat flour)
• 2-3 teaspoons of baking powder
• 1/2-3/4 teaspoon of salt
• 1-2 tablespoons of vegetable shortening or butter
• 1 tablespoon of sugar (optional)
• 3/4 cup of whole milk or canned coconut milk
• 2-3 cups of vegetable oil for frying

You will also need a large bowl, a whisk or fork, a work surface, a rolling pin, and a knife or bench scraper.

Start by combining the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Mix together the flour, sugar (if using), baking powder, and salt. Whisk the dry mixture for about 30 seconds to ensure it is well combined.

Next, cut in the shortening or butter. Add the desired amount of shortening or butter to the dry mixture and use a pastry blender or fork to cut it in until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.

Now you can start to form the dough. Make a well in the centre of the mixture and slowly add the milk, stirring as you go, until a soft dough forms. You may not need to use all of the milk, so add it gradually. The dough should be soft but not sticky, so be careful not to add too much liquid.

Once your dough has come together, it's time to knead it. Sprinkle a little flour onto your work surface and turn out the dough. Use your palms to knead the dough for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. The dough should become soft and smooth. Be careful not to add too much extra flour, as this can make the dough tough.

At this point, you can divide the dough into 6-7 equal pieces and let them rest for about 10 minutes. This will make it easier to roll out the dough and cut it into the desired shape.

After the dough has rested, you can start to roll it out. Use a rolling pin to roll each piece of dough into a circle that is about 1 cm thick and 10-12 inches in diameter. Don't worry if the circles aren't perfect—they just need to be relatively even in thickness.

Finally, cut the dough into the desired shape. You can cut the circles into halves or triangles, or any other shape you prefer. If you want your fry jacks to puff up while frying, avoid cutting slits in the dough. However, if you prefer a crunchier texture, you can cut a small slit in the centre of each piece before frying.

Shaping the dough

After preparing the dough by mixing the dry ingredients and cutting in the shortening or butter, you'll want to divide the dough into manageable portions. Most recipes suggest dividing the dough into two equal rounds or six to ten medium-sized balls, depending on how many fry jacks you want to make. Let the dough rest for about 10 to 20 minutes. This resting period is essential to allow the dough to relax and make it easier to roll out.

Once the dough has rested, it's time to roll it out. Lightly flour your countertop or cutting board to prevent sticking. Take one portion of the dough and use a rolling pin to roll it out into a circle with a thickness of about 1 cm. Don't worry too much about achieving a perfect circle; it's more important that the dough is evenly rolled out.

Next, cut the circle into halves, and then cut a slit in the centre of each half. This step is important as it helps the dough fry more evenly and promotes even puffing when cooked. Repeat this process with the remaining portions of dough.

If you prefer a crunchier texture and want to prevent the fry jacks from puffing up too much, you can place small slits in the dough pieces before frying. This technique will give your fry jacks a flatter, crispier profile.

Now you're ready to start frying! Heat a sufficient amount of vegetable oil in a large saucepan or frying pan over medium heat. The oil should be at least 3 inches deep to ensure the fry jacks are fully submerged during cooking. Wait until the oil reaches the ideal temperature of 350°F (180°C) for best results.

Carefully place two or three halves of dough into the hot oil and fry for about a minute. Use a slotted spoon to gently flip them over and fry for another minute or so. Keep a close eye on them, as you want them to turn a beautiful golden brown and puff slightly. When they're done, remove them from the oil and drain them on a paper towel to absorb any excess oil.

Repeat this process in batches until you've fried all your dough pieces. Serve your freshly made Belizean fry jacks with your choice of sweet or savoury toppings, such as honey, sugar, jam, refried beans, cheese, or eggs. Enjoy your delicious creation!

Frying the jacks

Preparing the Oil:

Before frying the dough, ensure your oil is hot enough. Pour vegetable oil into a large saucepan or frying pan, filling it at least 3 inches (7.5 cm) high. Place the pan on medium heat and wait for the oil to reach a temperature of 350 degrees F (180 C). You can use a deep-fry thermometer to check the temperature. This high temperature is crucial for achieving fluffy fry jacks.

Frying the Dough:

Once your oil is hot enough, it's time to fry the dough. Place 2-3 halves of dough carefully into the hot oil. Fry them for about a minute, then use a slotted spoon to gently flip them over. Allow them to fry for another minute or so. Keep an eye on them, as you want them to become puffed and golden brown. The frying process should take around 3-5 minutes in total, depending on the size of your fry jacks. If your fry jacks are thicker, they may need a little longer in the oil.

Removing and Draining:

When your fry jacks are golden brown and puffed, it's time to take them out of the oil. Use a slotted spoon to carefully lift them out and place them on a paper napkin or paper towel-lined plate to drain and cool. It's important to let the oil heat back up to 350 degrees F (180 C) before frying the next batch. Continue frying the rest of the dough in batches until everything is cooked.

Serving:

Belizean fry jacks are typically served hot and can be enjoyed with a variety of sweet or savoury toppings. For a sweet treat, sprinkle them with granulated or powdered sugar, drizzle with honey, or serve with butter and jam. If you prefer savoury, serve them with refried beans, cheese, eggs, or even leftover shredded meats or rice. Fry jacks are a versatile dish that can be customised to your taste!

Serving suggestions

Belizean fry jacks are a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways, depending on your preference for sweet or savoury.

For a savoury breakfast, fry jacks are often served with refried beans, eggs, bacon, sausage, or cheese. You can also serve them with a side of Maya eggs—a dish made by scrambling several eggs and frying diced tomatoes, onions, and peppers, and then adding the vegetables to the eggs. If you're serving fry jacks for lunch or dinner, they can be paired with leftover shredded meats or rice.

For those with a sweet tooth, fry jacks can be served with honey, sugar, butter, jam, or powdered sugar. For a more indulgent treat, you can also drizzle your favourite syrup on top—options include agave, maple, or golden syrup.

Fry jacks can be enjoyed any time of the day and can be served with a variety of toppings and sides to suit your taste.

Frequently asked questions