Gabubu Bread Recipe

Name: Gabubu Bread Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 cups All-Purpose Flour; 1 Tablespoon Baking Powder; 1 Tablespoon Canola Oil; ¼ Teaspoon Granulated White Sugar; 1 Teaspoon Salt; 1½ Cups Milk; Canola Oil or Lard (for frying)

Recipe Pin

Gabubu Bread is very similar to a Native American fry bread, with a crispy exterior and a soft, fluffy interior. However, unlike fry bread, Gabubu bread uses less fat for cooking.

Instead of deep frying, Gabubu bread is made by shallow frying it in a skillet, using less oil. Where is this delicious delicacy from, though? Although popular now, Gabubu bread may be difficult to find outside South Dakota.

This bread is so prevalent in this region that people often term it the official bread of South Dakota! Fry bread was famous amongst the families in West River and South Dakota. However, in a quest to look for a cheaper option, they came up with this fantastic recipe!

Before making this recipe, I wondered what else made it unique besides its texture. Well, simple ingredients, the ease of making the bread, and the recipe’s versatility make this recipe a star.

What's In The Post

Equipments Required

Measuring Cups: To get the perfect Gabubu bread with a crispy exterior and a soft interior, it is essential to be precise with the ingredients, and hence, you should use measuring cups.
Measuring Spoons: To get the correct measurements, measuring spoons can be used to measure ingredients needed in smaller quantities for this recipe.
Bowl: You will need a large bowl to mix all your ingredients and prepare the bread dough.
Rolling Pin: This will help evenly roll out the bread before it is cooked.
Spatula: To flip the bread while cooking.
Cast Iron Skillet: A cast iron skillet is the best option for making bread, as it ensures even heat distribution. However, if you don’t have one, you can also use a regular skillet or a frying pan.

Gabubu Bread Ingredients & Substitutions

Note: This recipe is large enough to make four medium-sized Gabubu flatbreads. If you want to make more or less of the same, you must adjust the recipe quantities accordingly.

2 Cups All-Purpose Flour: Ideally, all-purpose flour is the best for this recipe. However, you can also use bread flour in its place, as the extra gluten content can be good for this recipe.
1 Tablespoon Baking Powder: Yes, this recipe does indeed need a lot of baking powder, as it is the primary leavening agent for the bread, giving it the ideal soft and chewy inside.
1 Tablespoon Canola Oil: The same quantity of vegetable or sunflower oil will also work for this bread recipe.
¼ Teaspoon Granulated White Sugar: Even caster sugar will work in its place. This will add a hint of sweetness to the bread.
1 Teaspoon Salt: To enhance the flavor of the bread.
1.5 Cups Of Milk: Choose semi-skimmed or whole milk, but avoid completely skimmed milk.
Canola Oil or Lard: For frying, a few tablespoons of the same will work fine.

Preparation And Cooking Time

Preparation Time	Cooking Time	Total Time
20 Minutes	10 Minutes	30 Minutes

How To Make Gabubu Bread At Home

Step 1

Add sifted flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder to a bowl.

Step 2

Follow that by adding the canola oil and milk to the dry ingredients.

Step 3

Start mixing and kneading the ingredients gently.

Step 4

Mix the ingredients until smooth, then transfer to a floured surface.

Step 5

Now, cut the dough into four equal portions.

Step 6

Roll out each portion of the dough into a flatbread with uniform thickness.

Step 7

Transfer the rolled Gabubu bread dough to a hot cast-iron skillet with canola oil or lard. Cook for 8-10 minutes on a low to medium heat until the bread browns.

Step 9

Your Gabubu Bread is ready.

Gabubu Bread Recipe Video

Expert Tips That I Recommend

For this recipe, avoid using oils with a lower smoking point, such as safflower or flaxseed oil, especially when frying the bread.
Mix the dough as gently as you can to prevent unnecessary gluten formation.
To ensure even cooking, cook only one Gabubu bread at a time, even if it is small.
Keep your heat low or medium to prevent the oil from burning or reaching its smoke point too quickly, which can leave it with a rancid flavour.
Serve the Gabubu bread immediately, as it is best enjoyed piping hot.
For crispier dough, preheat your skillet before adding the dough.

FAQs About Gabubu Bread

Why does this bread dough not have any yeast added?

Gabubu bread is a type of quick flatbread that only needs a little leavening. Even the texture of the bread is unlike regular bread. You may have noticed that the bread requires little leavening, so the baking powder works well enough.

Can self-raising flour be used to make this recipe?

It is best to use something other than self-raising flour for this recipe, as we need a proper distribution and proportion of flour and baking powder. Since self-raising flour has the two ingredients pre-mixed, the proportions will be off and may give a different desired result.

What kind of fat works best to shallow-fry the bread in a cast-iron skillet?

Canola and vegetable oil are the top choices due to their high smoking points, which work perfectly for this recipe. You can also use lard or beef fat for a sharper flavor.

Why is your Gabubu bread dough too hard to work with?

If you have overmixed it, kneaded it too much, or added too much flour, your Gabubu bread dough may be too hard to work with. Do not do either; they will make the dough hard and challenging to work with.

Why should you not knead the dough for this bread too much?

Kneading any bread dough helps activate the gluten, giving it its classic spongy texture. For this bread, we need a texture that is not as spongy or chewy as regular bread but instead is softer. Too much gluten formation can ruin the dough, so you must refrain from over-kneading it.

Why is the dough initially too sticky, and how do you work with it?

Your dough may be a little extra sticky than regular bread dough, which is normal. So, when you start mixing the dough gently, rub your hands with just a little canola oil, making the dough easier to work with.

Can this bread be baked?

It is best to refrain from baking Gabubu bread, as it is traditionally made in a skillet and is known for its crispy, fried exterior. Baking the bread will give a different result.

Can this bread be made with healthier options, like whole wheat flour?

Yes, you can make this bread with whole wheat flour, but I suggest using a 1:1 ratio of whole wheat flour and all-purpose flour instead of only whole wheat flour.

How can Gabubu bread be prevented from burning or getting too dark on the outside?

The best way to prevent your Gabubu bread from getting too dark on the outside or even burning is to cook it on a medium to low flame and be patient.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

However, Gabubu bread is a decently healthy option to enjoy in moderation and occasionally. Although it has few calories or fat, it is also cooked in a lot of oil, so it is best to have it just sometimes.

Calories	181.3 kcal
Carbohydrates	33.2 g
Protein	2.1 g
Fat	2.9 g
Cholesterol	3 mg
Sodium	664 mg

Gabubu Bread is moderately healthy and can be enjoyed by people on various diets. It is great for a vegan, vegetarian, or lactose-free diet. However, it may not be the best option for those on a gluten-free or keto diet or for people trying to lose weight.

Recipe Variations For Different Diets

Gluten-Free Diet: Those on a gluten-free diet must substitute gluten-free flour for the one used in this recipe. The result may differ from Gabubu bread made with all-purpose flour; however, it will still taste amazing.
Keto-Diet: Unfortunately, those on a keto diet may have to try a completely different recipe for Gabubu bread, which is made with eggs rather than flour. Sadly, there is no way to eliminate carbohydrates from this particular recipe.
Low-Calorie Diet: Although this bread does not have a high calorie count, the all-purpose flour and excessive oil may be problematic for those trying to lose weight. To make it healthier, replace all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour and use less fat when shallow-frying the bread.

Storing And Reheating This Recipe

Storing

On The Counter: If you made your bread a few hours before you would like to eat it, you can just leave it on the counter. I recommend wrapping the bread in aluminium foil to preserve heat and natural flavour.
In The Refrigerator: To enjoy the pre-made bread another day, it is best to refrigerate it. Wrap the bread in aluminium foil and place it in an airtight container. Keep the airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
In The Freezer: Ideally, gabubu bread should not be frozen. However, if you must, wrap it in aluminium foil and place it in an airtight container or a ziplock bag. After that, put it in the freezer, and remember to thaw it before reheating.

Reheating

In The Microwave: A quick way to get your Gabubu bread all hot and steaming is to heat it in the microwave. Set the microwave to the highest heat setting, and heat the bread on a microwave-safe plate in 30-second increments until piping hot. Depending on your microwave’s size and heat setting, your bread should be ready in 1-2 minutes.
On A Pan: This method of heating Gabubu bread is much more efficient, as it retains the outer crispy texture. Heat your cast-iron pan with oil, and place the Gabubu bread in it. Let it heat on each side for a few minutes, then serve hot and enjoy.
In The Oven: You can reheat your Gabubu bread in the oven. Preheat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and place the bread in it. Let it heat up for 5-8 minutes until steaming hot, and then you are done!

What To Serve With This Recipe

For those with a giant sweet tooth, this gabubu bread can be like a pancake, topped with maple syrup or Chocolate Sauce. A delicious Raspberry Compote and whipped cream will also flavour this dish.

As for sweetness, my favourite combination with this recipe is to sprinkle on some cinnamon, brown sugar, and a little Cream Cheese Frosting. Now, coming to the savoury side, the options are endless!

To make this bread the ultimate breakfast treat, you can serve it with mashed avocados or Scrambled Eggs and bacon. Besides, this bread will go well with a delicious Mutton Stew, or even a well-made Chicken Curry will do it justice!

Printable Version

More Bread Recipes That You Can Try

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Conclusion

Gabubu Bread is a South Dakota delicacy that needs much more recognition than it currently receives.

The bread is so easy to make, which is surely a plus. But other than that, of course, it is super delicious! This is one of those recipes that makes you go in awe just by seeing how a bunch of simple ingredients can make something so delicious.

So now, don’t wait to try this fantastic recipe! When you try this recipe, let me know in the comments how it turned out for you, whether you tried the original recipe or one of its variations.