Snacks That Taste Better Fried

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Food Stylist: Brett Kurzweil

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Food Stylist: Brett Kurzweil

Photo by: Levi Brown

Levi Brown

It’s state fair season, so for the September issue of Food Network Magazine, chefs in Food Network Kitchens raided the fridge and pantry and deep-fried for days, looking for hits and misses for the story, “ Can You Fry It?”. There were a few explosions — marshmallows melted, gumdrops sank to the bottom of the fryer, and the iceberg lettuce came out looking like a sea creature.

fried iceberg lettuce

Recipe tester Leah Brickley suggests trying the converted rice (her fave), but we say, why not try them all?

The Fry Guide: Snacks That Taste Better Fried

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How to Fry:

Heat 3 inches vegetable or peanut oil in a large, deep pot over medium-high heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 375 degrees F (or heat the oil in a deep-fryer). Make a batter (see the following slides). Working in batches, dip your ingredients in the batter, let the excess drip off and carefully lower into the hot oil; fry, turning as needed, until crisp and golden.

Photo By: Levi Brown

Brie

Cut brie into wedges. Whisk 1 cup flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 cup cold club soda. Mix with 2 tablespoons chopped herbs. Fry 1 to 2 minutes.

Photo By: Levi Brown

Sandwich Cookies

Whisk 1 cup flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 cup cold club soda. Mix with 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1 tablespoon sugar. Fry 2 to 3 minutes.

Photo By: Levi Brown

Snickers

Freeze Snickers bars. Whisk 1 cup flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 3/4 cup cold club soda. Add 2 egg yolks. Mix with 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1 tablespoon sugar. Fry 2 to 3 minutes.

Photo By: Levi Brown

Mini Muffins

Whisk 1 cup flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 cup cold club soda. Mix with a splash of walnut oil. Fry 1 to 2 minutes.

Photo By: Levi Brown

PB&J

Cut a sandwich into quarters. Whisk 1 cup flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 1/4 cup cold club soda. Mix with 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1 tablespoon sugar. Fry 3 to 4 minutes.

Photo By: Levi Brown

Bacon

Fry bacon and drain. Whisk 1 cup flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 cup cold club soda. Mix with a pinch of black pepper or cayenne. Fry about 1 minute.

Photo By: Levi Brown

Poached Eggs

Bring poached eggs to room temperature. Whisk 1 cup flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 cup cold club soda. Mix with 2 tablespoons chopped herbs or a pinch of curry powder. Fry 1 to 2 minutes.

Photo By: Levi Brown

Mac and Cheese

Spread mac and cheese in a baking dish; chill and cut into squares. Whisk 1 cup flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 cup cold club soda. Mix with a pinch of cayenne. Fry 1 to 2 minutes.

Photo By: Levi Brown

Mixed Nuts

Whisk 1 cup flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 cup cold club soda. Mix with a pinch of cayenne or curry powder. Fry about 1 minute.

Photo By: Levi Brown

Bananas

Slice bananas. Whisk 1 cup flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 1/4 cup cold club soda. Mix with a splash of walnut oil. Fry about 1 minute.

Photo By: Levi Brown

Mashed Potatoes

Chill mashed potatoes and roll into balls. Whisk 1 cup flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 cup cold club soda. Mix with 2 tablespoons chopped herbs. Fry 2 to 3 minutes.

Photo By: Levi Brown

Ginger

Peel and slice ginger. Whisk 1 cup flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 cup cold club soda. Mix with 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1 tablespoon sugar. Fry about 1 minute.

Photo By: Levi Brown

Olives

Pit olives, if necessary. Whisk 1 cup flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 cup cold club soda. Mix with 2 tablespoons chopped herbs. Fry about 1 minute.

Photo By: Levi Brown

Strawberries

Hull strawberries. Whisk 1 cup flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 cup cold club soda. Mix with 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1 tablespoon sugar. Fry about 1 minute.

Photo By: Levi Brown

Cheesecake

Cut cold cheesecake into pieces. Whisk 1 cup flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 cup cold club soda. Mix with 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1 tablespoon sugar. Fry 4 to 5 minutes.

Photo By: Levi Brown

Converted Rice

Do not use a batter. Fry about 30 seconds.

Photo By: Levi Brown

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