Frying Dough: Deep Fryer Secrets For Perfect Results

Making fried dough in a deep fryer is a fun and easy activity to do with your family and friends. It is a popular treat in the US, especially in New England, and is often sold at fairs, carnivals, and amusement parks. This melt-in-your-mouth snack is crispy on the outside and soft and doughy on the inside. You can top it with sweet or savoury toppings, such as powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, Nutella, cheese, bacon, garlic, onion powder, or herbs. Here is a simple recipe to make fried dough in a deep fryer.

Ingredients:

- 2 cups all-purpose flour

- 2 teaspoons baking powder

- 1 teaspoon salt

- 2 tablespoons butter, melted

- 3/4 cup milk

- Vegetable oil, for frying

- Powdered sugar, for sprinkling

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix well to combine.

2. Add the milk and melted butter to the dry ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms.

3. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead it with your hands for about 2 minutes.

4. Form the dough into a ball and let it rest for 10 minutes.

5. Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces and roll each piece into a thin round, about 1/4-inch thick.

6. Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer to 350°F (180°C).

7. Carefully place one piece of dough into the hot oil and fry for 1-2 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.

8. Remove the fried dough from the oil and place it on a paper towel-lined plate.

9. Repeat the process with the remaining dough pieces.

10. Sprinkle the fried dough with powdered sugar and serve warm.

Choosing your ingredients

First, you will need flour. All-purpose flour is the best option for this recipe, but you can also experiment with other types of flour such as whole wheat flour or gluten-free flour. However, keep in mind that the texture of the dough may vary depending on the type of flour used.

Next, you will need a leavening agent to help the dough rise and give it a light and airy texture. Baking powder is a good option, but you can also use baking soda or yeast. If you choose to use yeast, active dry yeast or instant yeast will work.

A small amount of sugar is also needed to add a touch of sweetness to the dough. White, granulated sugar is commonly used, but you can also use other types of sugar such as confectioner's sugar or honey.

Salt is another important ingredient, as it balances out the sweetness and enhances the flavour of the dough.

To bring the dough together, you will need a liquid. Water is commonly used, but milk is also an option. You can use any type of milk, such as 2% milk, almond milk, or coconut milk. Keep in mind that different types of milk may affect the consistency of the dough.

Butter is another essential ingredient, as it adds richness and flavour to the dough. Unsalted butter is typically used, but you can also use salted butter if that is what you have on hand.

Finally, you will need oil for frying. Vegetable oil is the most popular choice, but you can also use peanut oil or avocado oil.

Once you have gathered all your ingredients, you will be ready to start making your delicious fried dough!

Making the dough

To make fried dough, you will need a few simple ingredients, including all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, butter, and water or milk. You can also add an extra ingredient like yeast, nutmeg, or vanilla extract to enhance the flavour and texture. Here is a step-by-step guide to making the dough:

Step 1: Mix the dry ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. You can also add sugar and other dry ingredients like yeast to the mixture. Whisk these ingredients together until they are well combined.

Step 2: Add the butter

Work in the cold butter using a pastry blender, your fingers, or a mixer. Continue mixing until the mixture resembles small breadcrumbs, with no large chunks of butter remaining.

Step 3: Add the liquid

Stir in the liquid (water or milk) to form a soft dough. If you are using yeast, activate it by mixing it with lukewarm water before adding it to the dry ingredients. You can also add other liquids like vanilla extract or sparkling water to enhance the flavour.

Step 4: Knead the dough

Once the ingredients are combined, transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead it with your hands for about 2 minutes. This will help to develop the gluten and give the dough a chewy texture. Form the dough into a ball and let it rest for about 10-15 minutes.

Step 5: Divide and roll the dough

Divide the dough into 8-10 equal pieces. Working with one piece at a time, roll the dough into thin rounds, about 1/4"-3/8" thick. You can use a rolling pin to achieve the desired thickness.

Tips for making the dough:

• Use a light touch when mixing the dough to avoid overmixing, which can make the dough tough.
• If using yeast, let the dough rise in a greased bowl covered with plastic wrap for about 1-2 hours or until doubled in size.
• You can make the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before frying.

Letting the dough rise

After you've mixed your dough, it's time to let it rise. This is a crucial step in achieving the right texture for your fried dough—if you skip it, your dough will turn out more like fried cake or a donut. Place your dough in a greased bowl and cover it loosely with plastic wrap or a clean dish towel. Let the dough rise for about 1 to 2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.

If you're in a hurry, you can shorten the rising time by placing the bowl of dough in a warm, draft-free place. This will help the dough rise more quickly. However, be careful not to let the dough rise too much or for too long, as it may end up collapsing or becoming too airy.

While you wait for the dough to rise, you can prepare the other ingredients and set up your work station. Gather your rolling pin, cutting tools, and any toppings you plan to use. You can also start heating your oil to 350°F in a heavy-duty pot or skillet. This will ensure that the oil is ready by the time your dough has finished rising.

Once the dough has doubled in size, it's time to move on to the next step of frying! Gently turn the dough out onto a floured surface and sprinkle the top with a little flour to prevent sticking. Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough to your desired thickness—usually between 1/4" and 3/4" thick. Then, cut the dough into pieces, and you're ready to start frying!

Heating the oil

• Use the right type and amount of oil: Vegetable oil is the most commonly recommended type of oil for frying dough. Heat about 1 inch (or 2 cups) of vegetable oil in your pan. If you're using a deep, heavy-bottomed pot or skillet, you may need about 2 inches of oil. You can also use peanut oil, which has a higher smoke point and a neutral flavor.
• Get the temperature just right: Heat the oil to a temperature of around 350°F (175°C to 190°C). Use a thermometer, such as a candy thermometer or an instant-read thermometer, to accurately measure the temperature. This is important to ensure your dough cooks evenly and doesn't absorb too much oil.
• Don't overcrowd the pan: Once the oil is heated, carefully lower your rolled dough into it. Fry the dough in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. This will help maintain the oil temperature and ensure even cooking.
• Monitor the temperature: Keep an eye on the oil temperature throughout the frying process. If it drops below the target temperature, adjust your heat source to bring it back up. If it gets too hot, slide the pan off the burner for a moment to lower the temperature.
• Be cautious: Frying involves high temperatures and hot oil, so always exercise caution. Use tongs, a slotted spoon, or a metal spatula to carefully handle the dough and avoid splashing hot oil.
• Keep it warm: If you're frying in batches, place a paper towel-lined baking sheet in a warm oven (around 200°F) to keep the fried dough warm while you cook the rest.

Frying the dough

Once you've made your dough, it's time to fry!

First, divide your dough into 8 pieces and roll each piece until it is about ⅜" thick. If you want to get that lovely crispness, be sure to roll it out thinly.

Next, heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a deep pan over medium heat until it reaches 350°F (180-190°C). Using a deep pan will help to keep the hot oil from splattering while frying.

When your oil is heated, carefully lower your rolled dough into the pan. Fry the dough in batches, do not overcrowd the pan. Fry each piece of dough for 1 minute, then flip it over and cook for 1 minute on the other side.

Once cooked, transfer your fried dough to a paper towel-lined plate or wire rack. If you want to keep your dough warm while you cook the rest, place it in an oven set to 200°F.

Now your fried dough is ready to be topped with your favourite sweet or savoury treats!

Frequently asked questions