18 Best Fried Food Recipes

Everything is better golden and crispy!

Golden brown, crispy, and undeniably delicious, fried foods are one of life's greatest indulgences. You can bread, batter, or coat almost anything from fresh-cut summer vegetables to comfort foods like chicken and seafood, and even mac and cheese. This collection of fried food recipes will show you!

Frying at home may sound intimidating, but it's a breeze. The key is making sure the oil is the right temperature so whatever your cooking doesn't brown too fast or cook too slowly. The right temperature will ensure perfect crispiness every time! Just break out the deep fryer or your best Dutch oven and make sure you have a thermometer handy. If you're still not convinced, there's a few air fryer recipes in this collection, too.

Sure, fried foods may not be the healthiest option, but every now and then, munching on something hot from the fryer is totally warranted. Think: beer-battered fish and hushpuppies perfect for your next weekend fish fry or Ladd Drummond's favorite chicken fried steak smothered in gravy. There's also snacks galore from Ree's fan-favorite corn fritters and

Southern comfort foods like fried okra to crispy coconut shrimp to bring some tropical flair to the dinner table. Oh, and there's dessert: funnel cakes topped with chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream and churros served with dulce de leche dip. Now, who's hungry?

Fried pickles are the ultimate snack. Fried until crispy and golden brown, they're best eaten hot and fresh with a side of creamy ranch dressing.

Get the Fried Pickles recipe.

SHOP BOWLS

Fried chicken is one of life's great pleasures, but how do you make it even better? Smother it in creamy gravy! This tender fried chicken is perfect for a Sunday lunch, and any leftover chicken makes an epic sandwich.

Get the Chicken Fried Chicken recipe.

These fritters are the best way to use up extra summer corn. They're so light and airy! Ree Drummond likes sprinkling powdered sugar over them or serving with maple syrup for a sweet and salty treat.

Get Ree's Corn Fritters recipe.

Yep, you can make this carnival favorite right at home! Top with all the fixings—think: powdered sugar, chocolate sauce, fresh strawberries, and a big scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Get the Funnel Cake recipe.

Serve it as an appetizer or side dish with marinara, or transform this crispy fried eggplant into eggplant parmesan with just a few extra ingredients. It's delicious no matter how you spin it!

Get the Fried Eggplant recipe.

SHOP SERVING PLATES

Skip the takeout and make these egg rolls yourself. All you have to do is cook the filling, wrap them up, and "fry" them to crispy perfection in the air fryer.

Get the Air Fryer Egg Rolls recipe.

The breading on this fish is light and crisp while the interior is tender and flaky. Serve hot with tartar sauce, lemon, and malt vinegar. You won't believe how quickly it comes together!

Get the Beer Battered Fish recipe.

Is there anything better than a good onion ring? This recipe will show you how to make the best! Delicately breaded and fried until supremely crispy, they're just plain addictive.

Get the Onion Rings recipe.

Fried okra is a Southern tradition for a reason. Fresh okra is best for this recipe, but you can use frozen okra if you're in a pinch. Just be sure to thaw it, drain it, and pat it dry before breading and frying.

Get the Southern Fried Okra recipe.

Crispy fried chicken, no oil required? Yes please! These tenders are an air fryer favorite recipe. They're family friendly and easy to get on the table! Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

Get the Air Fryer Chicken Tenders recipe.

SHOP AIR FRYERS

As a summer appetizer they're scrumptious, but tucked into a towering BLT sandwich, fried green tomatoes are simply divine. "Fried green tomatoes are the best summer indulgence!" says Ree Drummond.

G et the Fried Green Tomatoes recipe.

Fried vegetables are the best vegetables and this zucchini is proof. A mixture of breadcrumbs and parmesan give it its crunchy coating. Serve with ranch dressing, burger sauce, or tzatziki for dipping!

Get the Fried Zucchini recipe.

Bring some tropical flair to the table with these crispy coconut shrimp. This recipe comes together in only 30 minutes and is just as perfect for dinner as it is for a party starter.

Get the Coconut Shrimp recipe.

How your family with a big batch of churros made right at home! They're tossed in classic cinnamon sugar, but it's the dulce de leche dip that takes this recipe over the top.

Get the Churros recipe.

When you need a snack that'll wow a crowd, serve up a plate of these beauties. The inside is creamy and cheesy—just like your favorite mac—and the outside is oh-so crispy thanks to a kettle cooked potato chip coating.

Get the Fried Mac and Cheese Balls recipe.

SHOP SHEET PANS

Summer get-togethers aren't complete without a piping hot batch of these tasty bites. They're studded with cheddar, jalapeño, and green onion for major flavor.

Get the Hushpuppies recipe.

A blend of spices, lemon zest, and fresh parsley dress these homemade fries right up! The key to getting them crispy is frying them twice. It's totally worth the effort!

Get Ree's Lemon-Pepper Shoestring Fries recipe.

A Ladd Drummond favorite, this steak is breaded and fried crisp before it's smothered in white gravy. A big pile of fluffy mashed potatoes is the ultimate side for the comfort food meal.

Get Ree's Chicken Fried Steak recipe.

Georgia Goode is the Senior Food Editor/Writer at ThePioneerWoman.com. When she's not editing recipes and sneaking bites from the test kitchen, you can find her scouting out the best eats around town and dreaming up dinner party menus with friends.

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