While nobody will ever recommend these as part of a healthy diet, one of the most delicious and ubiquitous foods served in every Belizean house is the fry jack.
Fry jacks are a staple Belize food that are in the shape of triangles (or, occasionally, squares or circles) of wheat dough that are deep-fried until they become golden brown in color and pillowy soft. Most locals eat fry jacks at part of a traditional Belize breakfast and served with refried beans, eggs, cheese, and meat where toast would be used in the United States or Canada.
Simply put, no Belize vacations can ever be considered truly authentic without at least sampling some fry jacks. Much like potato chips, it’s hard to stop at just one as fry jacks are delicious. If you’re enjoying some Belize travel, be sure to try the fry jacks!
To make them at home, all you have to do is follow this simple recipe:
Ingredients: three cups of all-purpose wheat flour, three teaspoons of baking powder, a heaping teaspoon of salt, one and a half cups of water, and a tablespoon of vegetable shortening (like Crisco). And, of course, you’ll need some oil for frying your fry jacks!
In order to make fry jacks at home, be sure to sift your flour. Then combine the flour, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl. Once that is well mixed, add in the shortening. Begin adding water just a bit at a time to form a dough. The ideal consistency that you’re looking for is soft but not sticky or tacky.
Once the dough is formed, divided it in half and form two rounds. Allow the rounds to rest for 15-20 minutes uncovered. Add a bit of flour to your countertop and place one round on top, using a rolling pin to create a thin round about 10-12 inches in diameter. Take a knife and cut into triangle, square, or circle shapes.
Heat the oil to a high temperature because fry jacks will get fluffier and softer when fried at a very high heat. Add in your shapes and fry until golden brown. Flip over the fry jack and cook until the other side is golden brown as well. Serve piping hot!
Caves Branch Jungle Lodge is the premier Belize jungle lodge and serves homemade fry jacks at its on-site restaurant. Caves Branch also offers Belize all-inclusive vacation packages that include lodging, ground transportation, exciting adventure trips in the surrounding area and, of course, meals that include delicious Belize food like fry jacks.