Marianne Martinez
Spam, or Special Processed American Meat, is a canned meat product made from pork and ham that is popular in Hawaii. It can be cooked in a variety of ways, including frying, baking, and stir-frying. While it is typically pan-fried, deep frying is also an option. Deep-fried spam can be sliced into thin strips resembling French fries, or it can be sliced into thicker matchsticks and battered before frying. It can also be coated in a breading of flour, egg, and panko before being deep-fried. Deep-fried spam can be served with a variety of dipping sauces, such as spicy sriracha mayo or teriyaki sauce.
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What You'll Learn
Cooking time and temperature
To deep fry Spam, heat about 2-4 inches of oil in a heavy pan or deep fryer to 350°F. This temperature ensures that the Spam cooks evenly and the outside becomes crispy while the inside remains tender. Once the oil has reached the desired temperature, carefully place the Spam slices into the hot oil.
The cooking time for deep-fried Spam can vary depending on the size and thickness of the slices. For thin slices, fry for approximately 3 minutes or until golden brown. For thicker slices or Spam fries, the cooking time may be extended to 3-5 minutes on each side. It is important to keep an eye on the Spam during the cooking process to avoid overcooking or burning.
When frying Spam, it is recommended to cook it in small batches to prevent overcrowding in the pan or deep fryer. This ensures that the oil temperature remains consistent and the Spam cooks evenly. After frying, place the cooked Spam on paper towels or a napkin to absorb any excess oil.
Additionally, when preparing Spam, it is essential to consider the type of oil used for frying. Cooking oils have different smoke points, which is the temperature at which they begin to break down and produce smoke. For deep-frying, it is best to choose an oil with a high smoke point, such as peanut oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil. Using an oil with a lower smoke point may result in the oil burning and imparting an unpleasant taste to the Spam.
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How to cut Spam
To cut Spam for deep frying, you can follow a few simple steps. First, decide on the thickness of your desired Spam fries. For thinner and crispier fries, cut the Spam lengthwise into 10 equal slices. If you prefer thicker fries, cut the Spam into 6 slices. You can also cut each slice into 4 thick matchsticks to create classic Spam fries.
Another option is to cut the Spam into smaller cubes or slices, which will result in crispy bite-sized pieces. If you want to get creative, try slicing the Spam vertically into 6 patties and then stacking two patties together. Cut the stacked patties into 3 strips, resulting in 18 Spam fries. This method will give you thicker fries with a satisfying bite.
Once you've cut your Spam to your desired thickness, you can proceed with breading and frying. For classic Spam fries, simply fry the cut Spam in hot oil until golden brown and crisp. If you're making the breaded version, coat the Spam sticks in flour, dip them into beaten eggs, and then coat them in panko breadcrumbs. Fry these in oil until golden and crispy.
Remember to fry Spam in small batches to ensure even cooking, and always be careful when handling hot oil. Enjoy your delicious, crispy Spam fries!
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Battering and breading
To batter Spam, you can follow these steps:
- Cut the Spam into thick slices, cubes, or slices.
- Prepare the batter by combining flour, baking powder, salt, pepper, and a liquid such as beer or water in a large bowl. Whisk until you have a smooth, goopy batter.
- Dredge the Spam pieces in flour, shaking off any excess.
- Dip the floured Spam into the batter, ensuring it is fully coated.
- Slowly lower the battered Spam into the hot oil, frying in small batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Fry for approximately 2-3 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden brown and crisp.
- Remove from the oil and place on a wire rack to allow excess oil to drip off.
For breading, the process is similar, but with a few key differences:
- Start by coating the Spam pieces directly with a layer of flour. This ensures a dry and rough surface for the next layer to adhere to.
- Apply a liquid binder, such as beaten eggs or dairy, as the second layer.
- Finish with a layer of ground grain, cornmeal, ground nuts, bread crumbs, crackers, or a similar product to give the Spam texture and crunch.
- Carefully lower the breaded Spam into the hot oil and fry in batches until golden and crispy.
- Remove from the oil and drain on a wire rack or paper towels.
It is important to note that the oil temperature is crucial when frying battered or breaded foods. The oil must be hot enough, typically around 350°F (180°C), to ensure the batter or breading cooks properly and becomes crispy without absorbing too much oil.
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Sauces and seasonings
When it comes to sauces and seasonings, there are several options to consider when cooking Spam in a deep fryer. Here are some ideas and suggestions:
Teriyaki Sauce
One popular option is to use teriyaki sauce, which is a sweet and savoury sauce that can be either store-bought or homemade. It is a quintessential part of Hawaiian cuisine and is known for its ability to balance the saltiness of Spam. To make your own teriyaki sauce, you can whisk together soy sauce, sake, mirin, and brown sugar. Simmer the fried Spam slices in this sauce for a few minutes until they are nicely coated.
Soy Sauce
Soy sauce, or shoyu in Japanese, is another popular condiment often used with Spam. It adds a rich umami flavour and can be used on its own or as a base for making teriyaki sauce. Many people enjoy their Spam with a simple side of rice and soy sauce.
Kimchi
Kimchi, a traditional Korean dish made of fermented and salted vegetables, adds a pungent and pickled spice to Spam dishes. It can be served as a side dish or mixed into fried rice for a tasty Korean-inspired meal.
Sriracha or Hot Sauce
If you prefer your Spam with a kick, adding sriracha or your favourite hot sauce is a great option. This will give your Spam a spicy twist.
Furikake
Furikake is a Japanese seaweed seasoning that consists of dried nori, sesame seeds, and salt. Sprinkling furikake on your Spam dish will add a new dimension of flavour.
Garlic Powder
For that quintessential aroma, garlic powder is a great option to season your Spam. It adds a savoury and slightly spicy kick to your dish.
Maggi Seasoning Sauce
Maggi seasoning sauce is a popular choice to pair with fried Spam. It has a unique flavour that complements the taste of Spam well.
Dipping Sauces
If you're making Spam fries, you can serve them with various dipping sauces. Offer a range of options for your guests to choose from, such as ketchup, ranch, barbecue sauce, or even a spicy mayo.
Remember, when it comes to sauces and seasonings, you can get creative and experiment with different combinations to find your perfect flavour profile.
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What to serve with Spam
Spam is a versatile dish that can be served in many ways. It is often fried and served with eggs and rice, in the form of Spam musubi, or with fried rice. This is a classic Hawaiian breakfast, featuring crispy Spam, Japanese rice, and a runny egg. For a more savoury flavour, dress the fried Spam in a homemade teriyaki sauce.
Spam Fried Rice is a popular dish, packed with flavour and very quick to make. It can be made with leftover rice and is versatile, allowing you to add different proteins or vegetables. To make it more authentic, use long-grain white rice due to its lower moisture content. You can also add soy sauce to the dish, but as Spam is already very salty, this may not be necessary.
For a more substantial meal, Spam Loco Moco is another Hawaiian dish that involves frying eggs and Spam slices and serving them with rice garnished with green onions. You could also try a Spamsilog, a Filipino dish where garlic rice is served with fried eggs and Spam.
If you're looking for something a little different, you could try making Spam donuts, potstickers, or stir it into your favourite mac and cheese.
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Frequently asked questions
Cut the Spam into thin slices or strips, heat oil in the deep fryer to 350°F, and fry the Spam for 2-5 minutes or until golden brown.
Cut the Spam into thin strips like French fries, dip the strips in flour, then eggs, and finally in panko. Heat oil in the deep fryer to 350°F, and fry the coated strips for 3-5 minutes or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and serve with a dipping sauce.
It takes 2-5 minutes to cook Spam in a deep fryer.
You can add deep-fried Spam to scrambled eggs, fried rice, sushi, hash browns, diced potatoes, casseroles, or cold pasta salads. You can also make Spam fries and serve them with a dipping sauce.
