Jamaican Fried Dumplings Recipe

Buttery, fluffy, and crisp, these Jamaican fried dumplings are easy to make and impossible to put down. They are an amazingly quick and satisfying appetizer, side dish, or snack. And believe it or not, all you need for these fried dumplings are a few pantry staples!

My Take On Jamaican Fried Dumplings

These Jamaican dumplings - also known as Johnny cakes - are incredibly addictive. Each one is pillowy soft, and buttery on the inside, with a slightly crisp golden exterior.

They're a comfort food favorite in Jamaica, and I'm positive that they'll become a staple in your home too.

With that said, if you've never heard of Jamaican fried dumplings before, they're similar to these biscuits but with a crispier outside yet still tender inside. And they already have a delightful buttery flavor, so you don't need to add anything to them!

Plus, they take under 30 minutes to make, giving you a quick side dish, snack, appetizer, or breakfast option. So, if you're new to trying Jamaican recipes,  this one is the perfect place to start. 

And if you're making them, I highly suggest making this rasta pasta with jerk chicken to go with the dumplings. It's a great Jamaican food addition, and everything cooks in one pan!

Why This Recipe Works

The best texture. They're crisp, fluffy, and more delicious than any biscuit you've ever had!

Versatile. You can serve them as an appetizer, have them on the side with dinner, or for breakfast. There are so many ways you can serve dumplings.

Quick and easy to make. You don't have to wait for the dough to rise, so the dumplings are done in under 30 minutes. Plus, the baking process is effortless!

Crowd favorite. Everyone who tries this recipe absolutely loves it. It's always a hit whenever at the dinner table or whenever I'm hosting.

Ingredients

• All-purpose flour- leveled and sifted.
• Baking powder- make sure it's fresh!
• Salt- just a pinch for flavor.
• Butter- I like to use unsalted butter since we'll be adding some.
• Water- to help the dough come together.
• Oil- for frying 

I'd put them on the same level as my fried dough recipe (one of our most popular recipes on the blog). And you can use all of the same ingredients to make it, so you'll definitely want to check out that great recipe next!

Also, if you're looking for another tasty Jamaican-inspired recipe to make, give this Jamaican rice and peas or mangu recipe a shot next for another delicious comfort food.

How To Make Jamaican Fried Dumplings

1. Make the dough: Add the flour, baking powder, and salt to a large mixing bowl. Mix them together. Add the butter and mix with the flour using a fork to break it apart. Once it has a grainy texture, add the water and mix it with your hands.

 2. Shape the dumplings: As soon as the flour mixture has begun to form a ball of dough, transfer it to a flat surface and knead it for 10 minutes. Divide the soft dough into 12 pieces and form them into balls. Flatten those balls with your hands.

3. Fry the dumplings: Heat the oil over medium in a deep pan to 350°F (180ºC). Add a few dumplings at a time and fry the dumplings for 4-6 minutes per side until golden brown. Serve Jamaican fried warm with anything you want, and enjoy!

My Pro Tips To Make The Best Recipe

• Use an electric mixer with a dough hook to make the mixing process easier.
• Do not over work the dough. Only mix until the ingredients combine for the best texture.
• Only fry a few pieces of dough at a time so the oil stays nice and hot.
• Make sure the oil is hot before you fry the dough. 
• Serve warm with some room temperature butter, jam, or honey on top.

How To Store Jamaican Fried Dumplings

At room temperature: Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container or sealed bag and store at room temperature for up to 2 days.

In the fridge: Transfer them to the fridge, and they'll last for up to 5 days. You can also add a paper towel at the bottom of the container to absorb extra moisture.

In the freezer: To freeze, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and flash freeze until solid - this will ensure they don't stick together later. Transfer them to a freezer bag and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Reheating: I like to put them in a single layer on a baking sheet and cook at 350°F (180ºC) for about 5 minutes. The air fryer works great too! If you're starting from frozen, cook them for around 15-20 minutes. This way, they'll stay crisp on the outside and light on the inside without absorbing any more oil.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Jamaican fried dumplings made of?

They are simply made of common baking ingredients like flour, baking powder, butter, water (or milk), and salt.

What are the names of Jamaican dumplings?

They are most commonly called Jamaican fried dumplings, sweet dumplings, Jonny cakes, and Caribbean fried dumplings.

Can I store dumpling dough?

Yes! If you want to make your dumpling dough ahead and fry it later, you can prepare the dough 1-2 days before and store it in the refrigerator. Just keep the dough in a freezer-safe bag, with any of the extra air squeezed out. Then, whenever you want to fry it, just take the dough mixture out of the fridge and follow the cooking instructions above.

Can you air Fry Jamaican dumplings?

Yes, you can! Air fry at 400°F for about 8 minutes or until golden, flipping each one halfway through. Just make sure the dumplings are lying flat and have room between each other.

What do fried dumplings taste like?

They taste similar to a biscuit but with a crispier outside. The inside is also incredibly tender on the inside and have a wonderful buttery flavor to them.

More Delicious Recipes To Make

If you liked this Jamaican fried dumpling recipe, we have a ton of other delicious recipes on the blog that I think you'll like just as much!

Give one of these a try next:

• Fried oyster mushrooms
• Turkish bread
• Honey wheat bread
• Fried polenta
• Bahama Breeze jerk chicken pasta

Oh, and as always, you can find more delicious recipes on our Youtube channel.