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Last Updated on March 2, 2026 by Tiffany
Jamaican Fried Dumpling are an absolute staple to traditional Jamaican breakfast. Typically served alongside ackee and Callaloo, these spelt flour fried dumplings are a healthier version yet still authentic to a Jamaican classic!
What is Spelt Flour?
Originating in the Middle East, spelt flour is alkaline and apart of Doctor Sebi’s healing guide. The holistic practitioner was an Afro-Honduran who constructed a guide of alkaline foods to help heal the body of disease.
Now, millions of people follow his guide whether fully, or partially, myself included. while not all the food I consume is alkaline, I definitely try to include a large amount alkaline meals in my day.
Why not regular flour? Spelt tends to be higher in protein and fiber, and is often times easier digested than regular white flour. Spelt is even more nutrient dense, being rich in vitamins that are necessary for growth.
Overall, this recipe can easily be replaced with equal parts white flour, but over yasso we practice ital livity. That means putting the most electric, healing and nutrient dense foods onto our plate!
What You’ll Need
👩🏿🍳Spelt Flour
👩🏿🍳Water
👩🏿🍳Cane Sugar
👩🏿🍳Baking Powder
👩🏿🍳Salt
👩🏿🍳Avocado Oil
How to make Spelt Jamaican fried dumpling
Step One:
Combine the flour, cane sugar, salt, and baking powder into a large bowl and mix with a spoon. You want to make sure that baking powder is evenly spread amongst the mixture.
Step Two:
Pour the oil into the mixture and mix in, it should look slightly sandy. Now, slowly pour in the water until a semi sticky texture has formed, and start to knead.
Knead the dough and form a large ball, it should come together and not be incredibly sticky, it if is, add a bit more water. Don’t knead for too long, we don’t want the dough to become tough.
Cover with a damp paper towel and allow this to sit for about 15 minutes.
Step Three:
After its resting time, form the large ball into 6 smaller balls, and gently use the heel of your hand to press down in the middle.
This will help the fry dumpling form their iconic shape but you can skip this step.
Step Four:
Grab a dutch pot, (or a heavy bottom pot), and with the flame on low, prepare to shallow fry your dumpling. Use around 1/2 – 1 cup of avocado oil (or of choice) and let one side fry for about 5-7 minutes.
Cover the pot while it is frying.
Step Five:
Once the one side is golden brown and hardened, flip to the other side and allow to cook for ~3 minutes on this side in the covered pot.
Sit the cooked dumpling on a paper towel lined plate and enjoy warm with callaloo and ackee!
How to store Spelt Jamaican Fried Dumpling
It is best to eat Jamaican Fried Dumpling fresh, right after they’ve been cooked. As the days go by, when stored in the fridge they ten to harden and not taste as fresh when re-heated.
If it is extremely necessary to store, place in the fridge for up to 5 days. When you’re ready to reheat, warm in the oven or air fryer around 250F/121 C until heated.
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Check out these other ital Jamaican recipes you’ll love
Spelt Jamaican Fried Dumpling
Ingredients
- 1.5 Cups Spelt Flour check article to see where to buy
- Sprinkle Salt
- 1/2 Teaspoon Cane sugar to balance out salt, can sub coconut or date sugar
- 1.5 Teaspoon Baking powder necessary ingredient to help the dumplings rise
- 1/2-3/4 Cup Water
- 1 Tablespoon Avocado Oil to pour into the dough
- 1/2 -1 Cup High Heat Oil for shallow fry
Instructions
- Combine the flour, cane sugar, salt, and baking powder into a large bowl and mix with a spoon. You want to make sure that baking powder is evenly spread amongst the mixture.
- Pour the oil into the mixture and mix in, it should look slightly sandy. Now, slowly pour in the water until a semi sticky texture has formed, and start to knead.Knead the dough and form a large ball, it should come together and not be incredibly sticky, it if is, add a bit more water. Don't knead for too long, we don't want the dough to become tough. Cover with a damp paper towel and allow this to sit for about 15 minutes.
- After its resting time, form the large ball into 6 smaller balls, and gently use the heel of your hand to press down in the middle.This will help the fry dumpling form their iconic shape but you can skip this step.
- Grab a dutch pot, (or a heavy bottom pot), and with the flame on low, prepare to shallow fry your dumpling. Use around 1/2 – 1 cup of avocado oil (or of choice) and let one side fry for about 5-7 minutes.Cover the pot while it is frying.
- Once the one side is golden brown and hardened, flip to the other side and allow to cook for ~3 minutes on this side in the covered pot.Sit the cooked dumpling on a paper towel lined plate and enjoy warm with callaloo and ackee!
