Description
Jamaican fried dumplings are a popular Caribbean side dish featuring a golden, crispy exterior and a soft, fluffy interior. Made from simple pantry staples like self-raising flour and baking powder, these dumplings are lightly sweetened and fried to perfection, making them perfect accompaniments for ackee and saltfish or a delightful alternative to toast with breakfast.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 260g self-raising flour, plus extra for dusting
- 8g salt
- 30g caster sugar
- 5g baking powder
Wet Ingredients
- 150ml water
- Vegetable oil, for shaping and frying
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Dust a baking tray with flour to prevent sticking. In a large bowl, combine the self-raising flour, salt, caster sugar, and baking powder. Gradually pour in 150ml of water while stirring well until the mixture comes together into a cohesive dough.
- Shape the Dumplings: Rub a small amount of vegetable oil onto your hands to prevent sticking. Break off bits of dough and roll each into golf ball-sized spheres. Place them on the floured baking tray and let them rest for 20 minutes to relax the gluten and improve texture.
- Heat the Oil: Place a deep, large saucepan over medium heat and pour in enough vegetable oil to fully submerge the dumplings. Heat the oil to 170°C (338°F), or test by dropping a pinch of dough into the oil—if it sizzles immediately, the oil is ready for frying.
- Fry the Dumplings: Carefully lower the dumplings into the hot oil using a spoon. Fry them for about 6 minutes total, turning them halfway through to ensure even browning. They should develop a golden-brown, crispy exterior.
- Drain and Serve: Remove the fried dumplings with a slotted spoon, and drain them on a plate lined with kitchen paper to absorb excess oil. Serve hot as a side dish with traditional Jamaican dishes like ackee and saltfish, or as a breakfast alternative to toast.
Notes
- Ensure the oil temperature is maintained at 170°C for optimal frying results and to prevent greasy dumplings.
- Resting the dough allows the gluten to relax, which creates a lighter texture.
- These dumplings are best served fresh and hot to enjoy their crispiness.
- You can adjust the sugar slightly if you prefer a less sweet dumpling.
- Use a thermometer to monitor oil temperature closely for safety and perfect frying.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Jamaican
Keywords: Jamaican fried dumplings, Caribbean dumplings, fried dough, Caribbean side dish, traditional Jamaican recipe
