What Are the Different Types of Deep-Fried Foods?

The different types of deep-fried foods include a variety of meal options as well as snacks. Many are classic, while other deep-fried dishes are creative ideas since almost anything can be cooked this way. Meat, fish and poultry as well as noodles, fruits, vegetables and sweet snacks are popular types of deep-fried foods.

Surprisingly, even ice cream can be deep-fried. Only ice cream that has been frozen at a temperature much lower than usual can be deep-fried though, or it will melt too fast. A coating of cookie crumbs, finely chopped nuts or crushed cereal is often added to a scoop of ice cream before deep-frying it. Whipped cream, candy sprinkles and/or dessert sauce may be served with the deep-fried ice cream.

Candy bars and cookies are other desserts that can be deep-fried. Desserts or sweet snacks that are made from a batter rather than already prepared and just dipped in it include doughnuts, beignets, churros and zeppole, among many other possibilities. Doughnuts are ring-shaped, deep-fried foods with a cake-like texture eaten for dessert or a snack. They're often frosted with a sugary glaze and also may have a topping of chopped nuts or candy sprinkles.

Beignets are French deep-fried treats that are crispy on the outside with a chocolate filling and are often served warm with a caramel sauce. Churros are popular deep-fried foods in both Spain and Mexico. They are long strips of deep-fried dough sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon. Italian zeppole are deep-fried desserts or snacks that have a sweet ricotta cheese filling.

French fries are one of the most widely recognized deep-fried foods. Eaten as a side dish or snack, the deep-fried potato strips are a staple of fast-food restaurants. Sweet potatoes and yams are also made into fries. Other popular vegetable deep-fried foods include onion rings and zucchini slices as well as mushrooms and green beans. Even pickles can be cooked in a deep fryer. Popular deep-fried fruits include apples and bananas.

Asian noodles are often deep-fried to give them a crunchy texture. They are usually long, thin and may be made from rice flour. Deep-fried noodles give crunch to salads or can serve as a base for cooked vegetable and meat dishes. Deep-fried foods such as meat, fish and poultry are typically dipped in batter and cooked to be served as an entree. An exception to this are corn dogs, which are wieners coated in cornmeal batter, deep-fried and eaten on a stick as a snack at fairs in North America.