Hojaldra – This traditional Panamanian dish is made from a few simple, inexpensive ingredients that are easily found in most grocery stores.
Being able to share my culture with all of you has been so rewarding. I often share on my other social media channels but when it comes to the food I haven’t. For the most part, it’s because I usually just make stuff. I rarely ever know measurements. I just season to taste and stop when the ancestors tell me to! This fried dough is one of the easiest things to make and I do it so often.
What Is Hojaldra?
Hojaldra (I would tell you how to pronounce it but everyone says it differently) is the Panamanian equivalent of fried dough. Even though I’ve only ever eaten the Panamanian version, a few different countries make it as well.
What Ingredients Do You Need to Make Hojaldra?
To make hojaldra, you need just a few flour, salt, baking powder, oil, and water. You also need some oil to cook the mixture.
What Can You Eat It With?
This fried bread is typically eaten at breakfast. It goes well with salchichas gusiadas (stewed hot dogs), cheese, fried egg, or even by itself!
If you read my post about Panamanian food you know this is on my list of favorite snacks to eat. If you haven’t tried them then go ahead and try them out. chances are you probably have all of the ingredients sitting in your kitchen already.
Buen Provecho!
Panamanian Hojaldra
Hojaldra is a traditional Panamanian fried dough made from a few simple ingredients
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. sugar
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. oil
- 3/4 cup of water
Instructions
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl pour in the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, oil, and water.
- Mix everything with your hands for about 5 minutes.
- Next move the dough mixture to a clean surface, I used a cutting board just to keep my counters clean. Keep kneading the dough until it is smooth.
- Roll it into a dough ball and put it back in the mixing bowl.
- Put a clean towel over the bowl and let it sit for about 20 minutes (or longer if you like)
- Next, pour enough oil into a skillet and let it get hot
- Grab a decent size piece of the dough depending on how big you want it and stretch it out evenly.
- place it gently into the oil and let it cook for about 3 minutes on each side. You should be able to eyeball it to see how dark it's getting. Make sure it doesn't burn.
- Take it out and let it drain on a paper towel. Enjoy!
Notes
- we typically eat it with sauted hot dogs, a fried egg, or cheese for breakfast
- some people like to put an egg in the ingredients before mixing
- can be eaten plain, for breakfast, or with powdered sugar!ojaldra
Nutrition Information
Yield 6 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 162Total Fat 1gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 1gCholesterol 0mgSodium 552mgCarbohydrates 33gFiber 1gSugar 1gProtein 4g
Great recipe! Tastes just like the ones we get at the stand in front of the hospital in Sona. I like fried egg and cheese on mine but my wife prefers Panamanian style liver with hers. I will cut out a little of the salt next time. It’s perfect if you eat them on their own but it was a little salty when eating it with something. I will make this again, thanks for the great recipe and keep up the good work of bringing Panamanian cuisine to the states.