Creative Deep-Frying: What Foods Can Handle The Heat?

Deep frying is a cooking method that can be done at home or in restaurants. It involves submerging food in hot oil to create a crunchy exterior and soft interior. While it may seem intimidating, with the right equipment and safety measures, you can fry a variety of foods to golden brown perfection. From sweet treats like doughnuts and apple fritters to savoury delights such as chicken wings, onion rings, and shrimp, the possibilities are endless. So, get your deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot ready, choose a neutral oil with a high smoke point, and let's explore the world of deep-fried delights!

Vegetables

Deep-fried vegetables are a popular treat, combining the fresh crispness of vegetables with the crunchy texture and mouthwatering taste of fried food. The possibilities are endless, but here are some ideas for vegetables to fry, along with some tips and tricks for getting the best results.

Firstly, it's important to choose the right oil for frying. Canola oil is recommended as it is lower in unhealthy fats and doesn't absorb into the food as much as other oils. You should also make sure to use a thermometer to get the oil to the correct temperature before frying, and to pat dry any vegetables you intend to fry to ensure the batter sticks.

Now, for some vegetable options:

• Cauliflower: This vegetable is a great option for deep frying. You can coat it in a light batter, or for a vegetarian twist on classic buffalo wings, try coating it in a crispy batter and dipping it in a wing sauce.
• Broccoli: Like cauliflower, broccoli tastes great coated in a light batter and fried until crispy. Beer batter is a particularly good choice for broccoli, and you can serve it with raw carrot sticks and lettuce for a tasty, healthy snack.
• Green beans: Deep-fried green beans are a perfect sharable treat that can be easily seasoned and paired with a variety of dipping sauces. You can also add seasonings like Cajun or Creole spices to the batter for extra flavor.
• Squash: There are many types of squash that can be deep-fried, such as zucchini or kabocha squash. You can make squash fritters or chop them into bite-sized pieces and fry them in small batches. Asian-inspired flavors and dipping sauces pair well with fried squash.
• Okra: This vegetable is a classic choice for deep frying, especially in Southern cuisine. You can fry it whole or try something different by smashing it before frying for a unique presentation.
• Onions: Onion rings are a versatile side dish or addition to sandwiches. You can give them an extra kick by adding a Tex-Mex twist with taco seasoning and jalapeño crema.
• Mushrooms: Deep-fried mushrooms are a staple appetizer on many menus, and you can easily replicate this at home. Try using Italian or Mediterranean-inspired flavors, or for something different, fry up some portobello mushrooms and use them as a base for pizzas.

These are just a few ideas to get you started, but the possibilities for deep-fried vegetables are endless!

Meat

Deep-frying is a great way to cook meat, sealing in moisture and creating a crispy, golden crust. There are many types of meat that can be cooked this way, including chicken, beef, and pork.

Chicken is a popular choice for deep-frying, with chicken wings and chicken thighs being two of the most commonly fried cuts. Chicken wings are perfect for game day, and you can toss them in a variety of sauces and seasonings, such as buffalo sauce or Cajun spices. Chicken thighs have plenty of surface area for a crispy crust, and their higher fat content keeps them juicy and moist.

Beef can also be deep-fried, and smaller pieces are recommended for better handling and safety. Cube steaks, for example, are tender, thin, and have plenty of surface area to collect that crispy coating. Finger steaks, made popular in Idaho, are another option. These are typically made with sirloin, cut into strips, and marinated before being breaded and deep-fried.

Pork is another meat that can be delicious when deep-fried. Pork chops, for instance, are lean, affordable, and can absorb a lot of flavor, making them ideal for the deep fryer. Pork loin is also a good choice, as it has a small fat cap that keeps the meat moist when cooked. You can try making pork loin tonkatsu, a Japanese dish that involves deep-frying the pork cutlets and serving them with rice and slaw or in sandwiches.

Other meats that can be deep-fried include turkey wings, chicken livers, and steak. When deep-frying steak, it is important to note that it should be cooked rare to medium-rare to avoid overcooking.

Seafood

Fish

White fish, such as cod, perch, sole, red snapper, tilapia, whiting, flounder, mackerel, and catfish, are ideal for deep frying. These fish are lean, and the extra fat from the oil adds flavour. Fattier fish, like tuna, Chilean sea bass, or salmon, can turn out too oily.

Before frying, it's important to pat the fish dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which can cause the oil to splatter. You can then bread the fish with flour or breadcrumbs, or dip it in an egg batter. For extra flavour, you can soak the fish in buttermilk before breading, or add spices like Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, or cayenne pepper to the breading.

Shellfish

Shrimp is a popular choice for deep frying, and you can also try deep-fried crab or lobster.

Tips for Deep Frying Seafood

• Use a cooking oil with a high smoke point, such as canola, soybean, avocado, peanut, sunflower, grapeseed, or safflower oil.
• Fill your deep fryer or pot no more than two-thirds full of oil to avoid overflow when adding the seafood.
• Heat the oil to between 320-400°F (160°C-204°C). The ideal temperature depends on the type and size of seafood you are frying. Smaller pieces can be fried at a higher temperature, while larger pieces should be fried at a slightly lower temperature for even cooking.
• Do not overcrowd the deep fryer or pot. Fry the seafood in batches to ensure even cooking and to maintain the oil temperature.
• Cooking time will vary depending on the type and thickness of the seafood. Seafood is typically cooked when it is golden brown and has an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
• Remove the seafood from the oil with a slotted spoon or strainer and place it on a paper towel-lined rack to absorb excess oil.
• Serve immediately, or keep warm in a low-temperature oven while you fry the remaining batches.

Desserts

Deep-fried Oreos

Classic Oreo cookies are dipped in a sweet batter and fried until golden and crispy.

Funnel Cake

A popular fair or carnival treat made by pouring batter through a funnel into hot oil, creating a lacy, crispy, and powdered sugar-dusted fried dough.

Churros

A Spanish dessert made from a simple dough piped through a star-shaped nozzle, fried until crispy, and coated in cinnamon sugar.

Deep-fried ice cream

A ball of ice cream is coated in a crunchy mixture, such as crushed cornflakes, and quickly deep-fried to create a warm, crispy exterior with a cold, creamy centre.

Beignets

A French-inspired deep-fried pastry made from dough mixed with yeast, deep-fried until puffy and golden, and typically dusted with powdered sugar.

Fried Donuts

Classic donuts are deep-fried until they develop a golden brown crust and a fluffy, soft interior, often glazed or coated with various toppings.

Deep-fried banana fritters

Ripe bananas are sliced, dipped in a sweet batter, and deep-fried until golden brown. They are often served with a drizzle of honey or caramel sauce and a sprinkle of powdered sugar.

Fried Twinkies

Twinkies, a popular snack cake, are battered, deep-fried until golden and crisp, and served warm with a dusting of powdered sugar.

Fried S'mores

A twist on the classic campfire treat, with marshmallows and chocolate sandwiched between graham cracker layers, dipped in batter, and fried until gooey.

Apple Fritters

Made by combining diced apples with a spiced batter, then dropping spoonfuls of the mixture into hot oil to fry until golden and crispy. Served plain or with a dusting of powdered sugar and a side of caramel sauce.

Deep-fried peach cobbler

A deep-fried dessert that is easy to make and delicious to eat.

Deep-fried cookie dough

Classic cookie dough is coated in pancake batter, then fried to golden perfection. A great way to use up leftover cookie dough!

Cinnamon Toast Crunch Churros

The crispy, cinnamon-sugar-coated treats take your breakfast cereal to a whole new level.

Peach Cobbler Egg Rolls

Gooey, fruity, and sweet on the inside, and crispy on the outside — a delicious handheld dessert!

Peach Hand Pies

Peach hand pies made with flaky pastry are filled with tequila-spiked peaches, then deep-fried and coated with spiced sugar.

Struffoli (Honey Balls)

Struffoli are fried dough balls that are covered in honey and sprinkles and served in a mound. These festive honey balls are an Italian Christmas staple.

Banana Fried Cheesecake

This recipe will become one of your all-time favourite desserts! The cheesecake is fried golden brown to perfection and drizzled with honey.

Banana Beignets

Soft and slightly chewy banana beignets, or banana fritters, are made with only seven simple ingredients.

Deep-fried Pop-Tarts

Take Pop-tarts to the next level by dipping them in pancake batter and then deep-frying them!

Fried Ice Cream

Fried ice cream has a warm, crunchy shell with cold vanilla ice cream inside.

Blackberry Cheesecake Egg Rolls

These sweet treats are made with homemade cheesecake filling and tart berries.

Homemade Apple Fritters

Apple fritters are a fried donut filled with apple pie filling, cinnamon, and drizzled with a simple glaze.

Fried Brownie Truffle Bites

These fried brownie bites are the intersection of brownies and truffles, and they’re incredible. Each bite is filled with chocolate, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and more.

Deep-fried Coca-Cola Balls

In consistency, these will remind you of beignets or syrup-covered donut holes, but the taste is unique, thanks to the flavouring of Vanilla Coke.

Deep-fried Bananas

Bananas are sliced, dipped in pancake batter, deep-fried, and covered with cinnamon and sugar.

Deep-fried Apple Fritters

These may look odd and lumpy, but they taste like apple cinnamon yumminess! The powdered sugar and vanilla glaze add extra sweetness.

Deep-fried Chocolate Cupcakes

If you thought chocolate cupcakes were indulgent, wait until you try them deep-fried. They have the same consistency and texture as jelly-filled donuts, but with the flavour of chocolate cupcakes.

Fried Donut Holes

Classic donut holes that you know and love, deep-fried to perfection.

Snacks

Sweet treats

Indulge your sweet tooth with some apple cider donuts, churros, or funnel cakes. For a fruity option, try deep-fried apples coated in cinnamon sugar.

Savoury bites

If you're craving something savoury, you can't go wrong with classics like onion rings, French fries, or sweet potato fries. For something more substantial, try chicken wings, chicken corn fritters, or beef chimichangas. Vegetarians will enjoy fried zucchini chips, crispy beer-battered cauliflower, or potato croquettes.

Something different

For a unique twist, try deep-fried cheese bites, deep-fried mac and cheese shells, or even deep-fried cookies!

Frequently asked questions