# Just got a small deep fryer- what should I fry? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 5, 2010, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-small-deep-fryer-what-should-i-fry/552658 "2010-09-05T02:27:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Jaledin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jaledin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaledin)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2010, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-small-deep-fryer-what-should-i-fry/552658/21 "2010-09-05T05:47:46Z")
Will try the pickles – sounds like good beer-drinkin’ food. Okra sounds awesome as well. ---
**Author:** ![eenerms](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cdc98d/32.png) [@eenerms](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eenerms)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2010, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-small-deep-fryer-what-should-i-fry/552658/22 "2010-09-05T06:17:03Z")
Butter:D ---
**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2010, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-small-deep-fryer-what-should-i-fry/552658/23 "2010-09-05T06:25:52Z")
I can attest from experience that deep fried Baked Lays potato chips aren’t actually nearly as good as regular Lays. But it’s still kind of a fun protest against anyone who buys you Baked Lays instead of normal potato chips. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2010, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-small-deep-fryer-what-should-i-fry/552658/24 "2010-09-05T06:33:00Z")
> [@eenerms](#): > > Butter:D Here’s a recipe for [deep fried butter balls](http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/paulas-fried-butter-balls-recipe/index.html) courtesy of, who else, Paula Deen. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2010, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-small-deep-fryer-what-should-i-fry/552658/25 "2010-09-05T06:33:17Z")
Egg rolls. Get a package of wraps, some bagged coleslaw mix (not actual coleslaw, just the mix with the shredded cabbage and carrots) and some ground pork or chicken. Mix the ground meat with some soy sauce (I like to add oyster sauce), then stuff the wraps with meat and and slaw shreds (roll them diagonally) and fry. Better than takeout. ---
**Author:** ![markdash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@markdash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markdash)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2010, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-small-deep-fryer-what-should-i-fry/552658/26 "2010-09-05T06:40:21Z")
Frozen burritos. Surprisingly good. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2010, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-small-deep-fryer-what-should-i-fry/552658/27 "2010-09-05T06:52:41Z")
Small fryer? Obviously for cooking small fry! ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_Clock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Shot\_Clock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_Clock)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2010, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-small-deep-fryer-what-should-i-fry/552658/28 "2010-09-05T13:51:04Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Egg rolls… **Diogenes** , what temp oil and for how long? I’m gonna try these tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2010, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-small-deep-fryer-what-should-i-fry/552658/29 "2010-09-05T14:03:19Z")
The real trick with spring rolls is getting the wraps sealed up. If the oil gets inside, they will be soggy drippy messes. Don’t be discouraged if your first ones turn out that way–once you get the wrapping technique down, the result is _entirely_ different. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2010, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-small-deep-fryer-what-should-i-fry/552658/30 "2010-09-05T14:19:37Z")
Cutting them sucks, but homemade potato chips are like nothing on this earth. One of my favorite recipes calls for cutting eggplants into small chunks. Deep fry these chunks. Then in a regular frying plan, fry some onion and Indian spices and sesame seeds. Add the eggplant. Then mix in some sugar and squeeze some lemon juice over the whole thing, Amazing. Samosas are another good one, although they are a pain in the butt to make. Indeed, there are all kinds of fun deep-fried Indian snacks. For those playing along at home, there is nothing magic about a standalone deep fryer, and deep frying is surprisingly easy even with no special equiptment. Give it a shot! ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Accident](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Mr.Accident](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Accident)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2010, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-small-deep-fryer-what-should-i-fry/552658/31 "2010-09-05T14:53:55Z")
[Ice cream.](http://www.squidoo.com/deep-fried-ice-cream-recipe) There’s all kinds of ways to do it, and it’s all amazingly good. Not something I’d fix on a regular basis mind you, as it can be quite fattening. There’s also salmon balls, hush puppies, and house fries. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2010, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-small-deep-fryer-what-should-i-fry/552658/32 "2010-09-05T15:11:39Z")
drain, pat dry and tempura batter marinated artichoke hearts. om nomnomnom ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2010, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-small-deep-fryer-what-should-i-fry/552658/33 "2010-09-05T15:18:40Z")
Twinkies. StG ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2010, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-small-deep-fryer-what-should-i-fry/552658/34 "2010-09-05T15:20:38Z")
Fish. Haddock in beer batter - get some brown ale and mix with seasoned flour to a thick liquid consistency, dip some nice chunky haddock fillets in it and drop them straight into hot oil for five minutes or until golden and crispy. Salt and vinegar recommended, but optional. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2010, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-small-deep-fryer-what-should-i-fry/552658/35 "2010-09-05T15:22:34Z")
Tater Tots, Taquitos, and wings. When I had a fryer, those were the things I did most. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2010, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-small-deep-fryer-what-should-i-fry/552658/36 "2010-09-05T15:28:31Z")
> [@even\_sven](#): > > Cutting them sucks, but homemade potato chips are like nothing on this earth. Use a vegetable peeler. Use it to slice off the peel and then keep slicing. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2010, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-small-deep-fryer-what-should-i-fry/552658/37 "2010-09-05T15:29:38Z")
> [@ethansiegel](#): > > Fish! Halibut, cod, haddock, mahi mahi or any comparable, doesn’t-fall-apart fish. > > Experiment with your batter for those; I would’ve sworn by beer batter for the rest of my life until I ran out one day and tried milk instead… _amazing_ with the fish. You hardly ever see it but salmon is an amazingly good fish for batter frying. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2010, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-small-deep-fryer-what-should-i-fry/552658/38 "2010-09-05T15:32:14Z")
> [@Shot\_Clock](#): > > Onion rings- use House Autry chicken breader; it’s great for onion rings. Best with a milk and egg batter. 375 degrees for two minutes. > > Oddly enough, I don’t use House Autry chicken breader for my fried chicken. I use good ol’ AP flour spiked with salt, pepper and some Old Bay seasoning. Coat, dip in milk and egg batter, and coat again for a crispy crust. Or simply moisten with water, shake off excess, then coat. Another thing to try is pepper rings. Get some bell peppers and slice them into rings. Then batter and fry them like onions. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Scrivener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@The\_Scrivener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Scrivener)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2010, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-small-deep-fryer-what-should-i-fry/552658/39 "2010-09-05T15:47:43Z")
Sweet potato fries, baby! This has been my happiest discovery so far. (I bought my small deep-fat fryer, a bucket-like Presto “FryDaddy,” a month ago, but for dietary reasons haven’t used it much.) If you’re going to do the above fries along with regular potato fries, I suggest either slicing the potatoes more finely, or putting them in the oil first, because the sweet potatoes are drier and don’t need as much cooking time. The next time I make these, I’ll experiment with preheating the white potatoes at least in the microwave to see if that makes the fries crispier or more fast-food-like. The other thing for me has been [short, generally about two-inch-long] longitudinal banana slices. It’s much easier to do these in a deep-fat fryer than in a pan on the stovetop (and with much less mess!), but a similar problem with stickiness (and the caramelized surfaces peeling off and getting stuck to the spatula) persist either way. The slices will curl up like shrimp in the fryer. I just lift as many out as possible at once and dump them upside-down on paper towels; I’ll lose a fraction of the caramelized bits when they get stuck to the towels, but I want to get rid of as much of the excess oil as possible, too. I tried making plantain-like chips out of thin banana (not plantain) slices, but that was a failure. Everything just got stuck together and stayed mushy, instead of getting hard and dry like the commercially-made chips. Two questions for the deep-fry experts: 1) is there any satisfactory way to prepare a big batch of fries and store them for later eating? (I tried leaving most of a batch in the fridge, but they lost all their crispiness); and 2) how many times can you use a batch of canola oil and/or over how long a period of time, provided you never expose it to meat or dairy? ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2010, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-small-deep-fryer-what-should-i-fry/552658/40 "2010-09-05T15:47:46Z")
Wow. Lot of great ideas here. I’m gonna be busy with this thing for a while… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-small-deep-fryer-what-should-i-fry/552658.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-small-deep-fryer-what-should-i-fry/552658.md?page=3)