Fried Dumplings

Total time 40 Min

5/5
In Jamaica, Fried Dumplings are traditionally called Johnny Cakes, which is derived from the name journey cake.

In Jamaica, Fried Dumplings are traditionally called Johnny Cakes, which derived from the name journey cake. During slavery times in Jamaica these fried “biscuits” were packed to take on long journeys, which is how they got their name.

Today Fried Dumplings are usually partnered with breakfast dishes like Callaloo and Jamaica’s national dish Ackee and Saltfish. The trick to make them flaky is to keep the butter cold and not overworking the dough. A medium-high heat will also ensure that they 

Fried Dumpling Recipe

Cook Like A Jamaican
In Jamaica, Fried Dumplings are traditionally called Johnny Cakes, which is derived from the name journey cake.
Cook Time 15 minutes
10 min + refrigerate dough for 15 min 25 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Jamaican
Servings 7

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups (500 mL) All-purpose flour
  • ½ to 1 tsp (5 mL) Salt (if using salted butter use 1/2 tsp salt)
  • 3 tsp (15 mL) Baking powder
  • 3 Tbsp (30 mL) Unsalted Butter
  • 3/4 cup (750 mL) Ice cold water
  • ½ cup (125 mL) Cooking oil

Instructions
 

  • Combine flour, salt and baking powder in a bowl
  • Blend butter into dry ingredients with fingers or mixer until crumbly
  • Add ice cold water, a little at a time, to dry ingredients until dough holds together (you may not need all the water). Sprinkle with more flour if the dough is too wet.
  • Knead dough until smooth; do not over knead. Place in fridge for 15 minutes
  • Shape dough into 6 to 8 small balls (enough to fit in palm)
  • Pour cooking oil into frying pan and turn on stove to Medium-High
  • Place dumplings into hot pan
  • As each side browns continually turn dumplings until all sides are brown and dumplings are light and fluffy

Notes

 How do you know they’re cooked inside? When you tap the dumplings in the pan they should sound hollow
Keyword dumplings, fried, Johnny Cakes

Leave a Review

No Title

Rated 5.0 out of 5
May 9, 2026

I added red label wine and Jwray and nephew white rum. I also blended my cherries and raisins along with 4 eggs. I wish I could upload a picture to show the final product. Our palettes are grateful!!!

Anonymous

No Title

Rated 5.0 out of 5
April 17, 2026

Delicious with a little alterations.

I used:

*whole wheat bread instead of white

*brown sugar instead of granulated

*fruit wine instead of rum

* 5 eggs instead of 6

As these were the ingredients that I had available.

Also, I lightly blended the raisons with the milk as my family doesn’t like raisons

And I prayed before I started as I always do when experimenting with new stuff in the kitchen.

It was delicious, my family and friends enjoyed it.

Thank you very much 😊

Anonymous

No Title

Rated 5.0 out of 5
April 14, 2026

Lovely peppered steak, nice one!

Anonymous

No Title

Rated 5.0 out of 5
February 24, 2026

Hmmmmm maybe I used too much bread (also I used hard dough bread) and I used brown sugar instead of white (I don’t like white sugar) but it was very bland. So I added syrup at the end (it helped a lot). However thank you for sharing the recipe. It was my first time, wont be my last. I will try again but no rum (I felt it added an unnecessary weight to it.

Anonymous

No Title

Rated 5.0 out of 5
February 3, 2026

Great curried shrimps! Thanks! I made my own and it was quite tasty and succulent. Keep up the good work.

Anonymous

No Title

Rated 5.0 out of 5
December 28, 2025

I have been making this recipe for years. It’s amazing! Thank you so much!

Anonymous

No Title

Rated 5.0 out of 5
December 21, 2025

I’ve tried several of your recipes. This one has been tried and true for years!

Anonymous

No Title

Rated 5.0 out of 5
November 28, 2025

I’ve been making this recipe since 2013. Almost 13 years later I’ve never used another recipe for curry chicken. I love it and wouldn’t change a thing.

Anonymous

No Title

Rated 5.0 out of 5
November 26, 2025

My bread pudding turned out so beautiful, thank you so much for this recipe!!

Anonymous

No Title

Rated 5.0 out of 5
September 25, 2025

My family lives this and all was asking when am I going to make it again

Anonymous