Deep-frying has a way of transforming simple ingredients into crispy, golden delights that bring back fond memories of comfort food. With its quick cooking method and satisfying crunch, it’s no wonder this technique is so popular. To inspire your next culinary adventure, we’ve put together a list of unexpected foods that can be deep-fried to perfection, offering a delicious twist on familiar flavors.
Pickles
Made by coating sliced or whole pickles in a seasoned breadcrumb or batter mixture and frying until crispy, deep-fried pickles are a tangy, crunchy snack. Delish says, “Make sure to drain and pat your pickles completely dry before you bread them—otherwise, the breading will get soggy or fall off in the fryer.”
Beer
Deep-fried beer is a unique snack that is created by encapsulating beer in a pocket of dough that is quickly deep-fried, trapping the liquid inside while crisping the exterior. This is often served at festivals and events and is usually made with strong beers such as ales or stouts to ensure the flavor stands up to the heat.
Ice Cream
Deep frying a frozen dessert may seem odd, but the contrast in temperature and texture is what makes this dessert appealing. Balls of ice cream are coated in a crunchy layer, such as crushed cereal or cookie crumbs, and quickly deep-fried before being topped with chocolate sauce, whipped cream, or fresh fruits.
Pizza
A lesser-known relative of the Neapolitan pizza, these versions are pockets of dough filled with toppings and fried until golden. According to the BBC, “It emerged as a result of poverty during World War Two, when Naples suffered roughly 200 air raids.”
Sushi
Sushi rolls can be coated in tempura batter and deep-fried, creating a crispy exterior while keeping the interior raw or slightly cooked, depending on the filling. This frying adds a crispy texture to the sushi and can be served with soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger.
Banana Peppers
Banana peppers can be stuffed with cheeses or meats, coated in a seasoned batter, and fried until the coating is crisp. The pepper’s natural juiciness is enhanced by the frying, which creates a flavorful, spicy snack, especially when accompanied by a ranch or blue cheese dipping sauce.
Cheesecake
When coated in a sweet batter, slices of cheesecake can be deep fried, creating a crispy exterior that contrasts with the creamy filling. This works with a variety of different cheesecake and batter flavors, which are served warm and topped with sauces, fresh fruit, or whipped cream.
Watermelon
A unique dish, fried watermelon involves coating the sliced fruit in a batter and frying until crispy. The heat in this process caramelizes the watermelon’s sugars, enhancing its sweetness to balance with the savory flavor of the batter. It can be served as a dessert or a side dish and topped with powdered sugar or a balsamic glaze.
PB&J Sandwich
An iconic American snack that has become more popular in recent years here in the UK, PB&J, or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, can be deep fried to become a warm, gooey, crispy treat. The sandwich is coated in a light batter before frying, and the heat melts the peanut butter and jelly into one another. Often, this is served in bite-sized pieces and dusted with powdered sugar.
Avocado
Deep-fried avocado can be served whole or in wedges, and the crispy coating contrasts with the creamy inside. According to Texas Monthly, one restaurant might serve 250 fried, stuffed avocados per week. “The fruit is skinned, halved, and packed with chicken, brisket, or ground beef, as well as cheddar and Monterey Jack. Then it’s reassembled, breaded, fried, and dressed.”
Hummus Balls
By forming hummus into small balls, coating them with breadcrumbs or sesame seeds, and deep frying, you can create a crunchy exterior with a creamy, flavorful filling. These snacks can be served with dipping sauces like tzatziki or spicy tomato sauce, helping to add even more flavor.
Mars Bars
Originating in Scotland, this indulgent treat has gained worldwide popularity. Starting with a chilled Mars Bar, the chocolate is coated in a sweet batter and deep-fried until golden, resulting in a gooey, melted chocolate and caramel center with a crispy exterior. This is often dusted with powdered sugar and served with ice cream.
Butter Balls
Popularized by state fairs, deep-fried butter balls are made by freezing butter, coating it in dough or batter, and frying until golden, resulting in a crispy exterior and creamy center. According to Smithsonian Magazine, cooking butter has been found to “date all the way back to the 1600s.”
Tarantulas
Considered a delicacy in Cambodia, making tempura tarantulas involves coating the spiders in a light batter and deep frying them until crispy. This process softens the spider’s meat, and the texture is sometimes likened to soft-shell crab. These fried snacks are usually served with a dipping sauce.
Oreos
Popular at fairs and festivals, deep-fried Oreos are coated in pancake or funnel cake batter before being put into the fryer until golden brown. The heat from the fryer transforms the Oreo cookies into a warm, soft texture, with the cream filling becoming slightly melted for a decadent treat.
Flowers
Edible flowers such as zucchini blossoms or orchids are often deep-fried to add visual appeal and crisp texture to a dish. The flowers are coated in a light batter before frying and sometimes filled with cheese or herbs for added flavor.
Spaghetti Balls
Cooked spaghetti can be mixed with cheese and herbs before being formed into small balls. These are then coated in breadcrumbs and deep-fried to create a crispy exterior and warm, gooey filling. Often, these bite-sized snacks are then served with marinara sauce for dipping.
Pumpkin Pie
A unique twist on a classic autumnal dessert, this deep-fried version involves coating slices of pie in a spiced batter and frying for a crispy outside and warm, creamy filling. This method of cooking enhances the pie’s natural flavors, and it is often served with a dollop of whipped cream or a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. Sadly, it’s not yet become as popular in the UK as it is in the UK, but maybe you could change that.