Deep-fried cuisine appeals to us all because of its descriptive, crispy feel, distinct taste, and golden exterior. Will you fry your frozen food in a deep fryer in your kitchen? Instead of heading to a fast-food restaurant to get your fix? From frozen corn dogs and less apparent items like pizza rolls, the selection of frozen foods that can be deep-fried is almost infinite.
Many of your beloved meals can be deep-fried instead of cooked. But, while deep frying frozen stuff, there are a few details to remember, including which foods to cook, what devices to use, and a handful of special safety measures. This is what I learned about deep-fried frozen foods.
Cooking is in my blood. I munch on fried foods, so I am fairly knowledgeable about the best and worst frying techniques. I have seen and heard it all in my decade of frying! What is good, what is bad, and what is terrible! So, today, I am sharing frying dos and don’ts, specifically deep frying frozen foods. Although I specialize in ventless frying, these guidelines can be extended to any type of fryer.
Deep Frying Frozen Food
First, let’s make this clear by saying, yes, if you use a deep fryer or a pan or pot to fry frozen food, it is absolutely safe. That being said, since you are dealing with oil, which is highly flammable and can cause severe burns if splattered, there are specific safety precautions that you should obey.
Utilizing a Pot or a Pan
Are you searching for a fast way to try deep-fried food? Don’t still own a deep fryer? I would say you are good to go as long as you have a pan big enough to drench half of the food in oil at a time. All you have to do is flip the food halfway through. This could be a great choice for someone who already uses a lot of oil in their cooking, be it pan-frying or sautéing. If you don’t have a deep fryer, it might also be less costly to use a pot.
Utilizing a Deep Fryer
If you already own a deep fryer, you can immerse the whole food of preference in a deep fryer at once, for a quick and simple frying experience. In addition, when used correctly, the deep fryer is almost certainly better than using a pan or pot. Deep fryers are normally fitted with lids to deter spillage. Also, a deep fryer may be more challenging to knock over than a stovetop pot.
Frozen foods that can be Deep Fried
If the food is coated, it will most certainly deep fry very well. This is because the temperature of the coating also prevents oil from sickling onto the food if you use a high enough temperature. How about using the French fries’ exterior, for instance. While deep frying, the covering almost acts as a shield to block any of the oil from trickling into the fry while it heats outside. Alternatively, steam is used to fry the insides of the potatoes.
If you notice, you will realize that whatever is coated is very easy to deep fry while frozen. Since almost everything can be battered, shrimp (along with many other items) takes the cut. While almost everything can be deep-fried, whether frozen or not, certain foods turn out better than others. Below is a list of frozen foods you can most certainly deep fry.
- Taquitos
- Fish Sticks
- Onion Rings
- Sweet Potato Fries
- Shrimp
- Corn Dogs
- Chicken Tenders
- Mozzarella Sticks
- French Fries
- Chicken Nuggets
- Hushpuppies
- Chicken
Frozen foods that Can’t be Deep Fried
As you might know by now, many frozen foods can be deep-fried. But did you know that foods are best deep-fried once they have been thawed? The most well-known food example is turkey. Due to its enormous size and ability to hold water, deep frying is not safe.
When choosing whether or not to deep fry something, you can usually rely on your rational thinking. The two most important questions to ask yourself are whether the food is coated and whether it has a lot of water. And if there isn’t any water in it, you can always try deep-frying it.
Safety Precautions With a Deep Fryer
Although deep frying frozen food in your kitchen is a better alternative to other cooking techniques, it does pose some risks if handled incorrectly. Before using hot oil or deep fryers, make sure you have checked up on the safety rules, and always cook your food to the required internal temperature. Because safety first! I will list a few safety precautions to remember while using a deep fryer.
- If you have a deep fryer in your kitchen, review the owner’s manual first.
- In your house, keep a fire extinguisher on standby.
- To guarantee that all surrounding kitchen cabinets and kitchenware are dry, wipe them down.
- Know the smoke point of the oil you’re dealing with.
- Remove all extra ice from frozen foods to avoid freezer burn.
- Until soaking thawed food, pat it absolutely dry.
- Often look up the estimated cooking times for the food you are frying before you start.
- Fill the oil not much more than two inches from the top when using a skillet or pot or pan.
- Overcrowding the frying basket will result in undercooking, overcooking, or spilling of the oil.
- Remove any metal tongs or slotted spoons or forks from the food. Do not use something made of plastic because it can cause damage.
- If you choose to use a deep, heavy skillet or pot, avoid using cast iron because it will break down the oil quicker than other materials.
In conclusion, it seems that certain foods were designed to be deep-fried when frozen. It is fast and simple, and for battered foods like frozen mozzarella sticks, it often results in a good, delicious exterior with a juicy, softer interior. I absolutely suggest deep frying any of your favorite frozen snacks if you have never done so before. I hope you enjoyed reading this article! If you have any queries about deep frying, leave them in the comments section below.
References
https://kitchensnitches.com/can-you-put-frozen-things-in-a-deep-fryer-yes-but-first-you-must/
https://thecookingexpert.com/can-you-deep-fry-frozen-foods-yes/
https://blog.mtiproducts.com/frying-practices-the-dos-and-donts-of-frying
