Classic Jamaican Fried Dumplings Recipe

Jamaican fried dumplings are the perfect side dish for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. This classic recipe is crispy on the outside and soft, fluffy, and slightly chewy on the inside.

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One of my favorite things to munch on during breakfast was a nice and warm Jamaican fried dumpling. We ate it along with our ackee and saltfish or cornmeal porridge. I like to make it for my kids from time to time, and they love it.

These dumplings are fried in oil, something I don’t do that often. But hey, nostalgia takes control, and I fry these up when I want some comfort food.

If you like fried dough, you’ll love this Jamaican festival recipe.

Ingredients Needed

• All-purpose flour: The foundation of the dough, providing structure and substance to the dumplings.
• Baking powder and salt: Baking powder creates a light and airy texture, while salt enhances the flavor.
• Milk or water: Binds the ingredients together, creating a cohesive dough that can be shaped and fried. I prefer to use milk for a fluffier inside the dumpling, but water also works fine.
• Oil: For frying, use a high heat oil. I usually use Canola oil.

How to make Jamaican Fried Dumplings

First, gather your ingredients. My recipe calls for only four ingredients, all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and milk.

Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl and mix well. Pour in the milk and stir until combine. Then roll the mixture into a ball and lightly knead until it comes together.

Then break off about 10 pieces of dough and form them into balls. I get about 10 balls. Set them aside.

In a 10-inch skillet, heat enough oil over medium heat to fry the dumplings until the oil is about 350 degrees Fahrenheit. I test the temperature of the oil with a quick-read thermometer to ensure it isn’t too cool or too hot.

Oil that is too cool will soak up way too much oil and oil that is too hot will just crisp your dumplings a little too much.

When the dumplings are brown on one side, flip them and allow them to continue to cook until they are browned on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side.

Once done, remove the dumplings from the oil and place them on paper towels or a cooling rack to drain off any excess oil.

Serve dumplings while hot with your favorite dishes.

Tanya’s Top Tip

You can use a thermometer to test the temperature of your oil before adding the dough to the oil. You want your oil to be around 350 degrees Fahrenheit. If your oil is too hot, it will cause your dumplings to get too brown before the insides cook. If the oil is too low, the dumplings will be greasy.

FAQ on Fried Dumplings

Notes

• The amount of milk added may depend on the brand of flour used. You may need a little more or a little less. Slowly stir in the milk until the flour is moistened and can easily form into a ball of dough. 
• Test frying one dumpling before adding the remaining. That will help determine if your oil is the perfect temperature for frying. Or, use a thermometer to ensure your oil is at 350 degrees Fahrenheit before frying.

Other Jamaican recipes

• Cornmeal Porridge
• Jamaican Banana Fritters
• Jamaican Oxtail
• Brown Stew Chicken
• Curry Chicken
• Jamaican Curry Goat

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4.67 from 3 votes

Jamaican Fried Dumplings

Jamaican fried dumplings are the perfect side dish for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. This classic recipe is crispy on the outside and soft, fluffy, and slightly chewy on the inside.

Course Breakfast

Cuisine Caribbean

Keyword fried dumplin, fried dumplings, Jamaican fried dumplings

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 6 minutes minutes

Total Time 16 minutes minutes

Servings 4 people

Calories 257kcal

Author Tanya

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup milk
• oil for frying about 1-1/2 cup

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

• Add flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl and stir to combine. Pour in the milk and stir until combined. Then roll the mixture into a ball and lightly knead until it comes together.
• Break off about 10 pieces of dough and form them into balls. Set them aside.
• In a 10-inch skillet, heat enough oil over medium heat to fry the dumplings, until the oil is about 350 degrees.
• Once the dumplings are browned on one side, flip them and cook until both sides are browned, about 2-3 minutes each.
• Once done, remove the dumplings from the oil and place them on paper towels or a cooling rack to drain off any excess oil.
• Serve and enjoy.

Notes

• The amount of milk added may depend on the brand of flour used. You may need a little more or a little less. Slowly stir in the milk until the flour is moistened and can easily form into a ball of dough. 
• Test frying one dumpling before adding the remaining. That will help determine if your oil is the perfect temperature for frying. 
• If you prefer flatter dumplings, flatten them after rolling them into a ball before frying. You may use less oil if doing this method. 

Nutrition

Calories: 257kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 604mg | Potassium: 329mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 74IU | Calcium: 148mg | Iron: 3mg

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This post was originally published on July 18, 2021. It has been updated with new photos and information.