13 Truly Delicious Deep Fried Dinner Recipes

These deep fried dinner recipes turn everything from boring chicken breast to basic hot dogs into something that everyone will love. Not sure what to do with an ingredient? Batter it, fry it in hot oil, and dip it in ranch.

grid of 6 fried chicken and shrimp dinner recipes.

Everyone will (finally) eat their food when you pick one of these dinner recipes.

finished turkey with leaves and berries.

The BEST Deep-Fried Turkey {With Injection Recipe}

Beautifully browned crispy skin wirh moist, flavorful meat. Say goodbye to boring turkey with this delicious recipe. You'll never make turkey another way.

finished fried chicken sandwich with spicy sauce lettuce layer on top

Crispy Buttermilk Chicken Sandwich: How To Make It

Top this deliciously crispy and tender chicken with your favorite toppings for a sandwich that's good enough for your favorite restaurant.

deep fried corn dogs on brown paper.

Deep Fried Corn Dogs

Ready in 30 minutes using pantry ingredients, this state-fair treat will make everyone happy.

plate of finished fried battered shrimp.

How to Make Crispy Beer-Battered Deep-Fried Shrimp

Golden brown, crispy, and completely addictive, this recipe is perfect for dipping in tartar sauce. The batter mixes up ahead of time and they cook in just a few minutes.

A hand holding a buffalo chicken sandwich with a visible cross-section, emphasizing the juicy, well-coated chicken and fresh lettuce, ready to be enjoyed.

How to Make Easy + Yummy Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches

Hand breaded chicken breast dipped in buffalo sauce and served as a tasty sandwich.

Crispy Deep Fried Chicken Tenders

Breaded and deep chicken tenders come out perfectly crispy and browned every time for a dinner your kids will love.

buffalo chicken tenders on blue and white plate

Deep Fried Buffalo Chicken Tenders

The best way to make buffalo chicken tenders at home: deep fried and tossed in homemade buffalo sauce.

Southern Buttermilk Chicken Tenders

Everyone will love these deep fried chicken tenders. A buttermilk honey marinate makes them extra tender.

dinner scene next to window

Fried Cajun Chicken Tenders

Perfectly seasoned, tender pieces of chicken fried golden brown. A dinner recipe that everyone will actually love.

finished plate of fried chicken.

Crispy + Moist Deep Fried Chicken Thighs

Moist chicken with crispy skin. This family-favorite recipe will be welcome at Sunday dinner or any time.

deep fried corn dogs on brown paper.

Deep Fried Corn Dogs

Ready in 30 minutes using pantry ingredients, this state-fair treat will make everyone happy.

plate of finished fried shrimp.

Deep Fried Shrimp (Simple + Cheap Batter Method)

Golden, crispy, and easy to make.

Golden brown fried chicken piled on a white plate with blue trim, served alongside a side dish of coleslaw and potato fries in the background.

Buttermilk Deep Fried Chicken

A classic method of making fried chicken: a buttermilk marinade and perfectly seasoned flour blend add up to juicy, flavorful chicken. A true crowd pleaser.

An electric deep fryer maintains its temperature, filters the oil, and is much safer than a pot of oil. I highly highly recommend this particular one!

 T-Fal Ultimate EZ Clean Stainless Steel Deep Fryer with Basket 3.5 Liter Oil and 2.6 Pound Food Capacity 1700 Watts Easy Clean, Temp Control, Digital Timer, Oil Filtration, Dishwasher Safe Parts New Star Foodservice 36923 Commercial-Grade 18-Gauge Aluminum Sheet Pan/Bun Pan, 18 Sihuuu Stainless Steel Strainers, Slotted Spoons,Wire Mesh Skimmer With Long Handle for Kitchen Deep Fryer, Spaghetti, Noodles(5.5 Inch)

 

Deep Fryer Troubleshooting

Having trouble? Here are some solutions to common frying issues.

  • Batter not sticking to the food:
    • Make sure the food surface is dry before coating; pat it down with paper towels if necessary.
    • Dip the food into plain flour before immersing it in the batter to help it adhere better.
  • Food getting too oily:
    • Ensure the oil is at the correct temperature – too cold, and the food will absorb oil; too hot, and it will burn on the outside before cooking inside.
    • Let excess oil drip off for a few seconds after frying, and then place the food on a rack or paper towels to absorb excess grease.
  • Uneven cooking:
    • Don’t overcrowd the fryer basket; this lowers the oil temperature and can cause uneven cooking.
    • Turn the food halfway through cooking if it isn’t fully submerged in oil to ensure even browning.

How to Safely Deep Fry

This is meant to be helpful, not scary! If you are careful, you’ll be just fine 😊.

  • Never Leave the Fryer Unattended: Always stay nearby and watch the deep fryer when it’s in use. Unattended cooking is a primary cause of kitchen fires.
  • Use the Right Oil: Choose an oil with a high smoke point, like peanut, canola, or vegetable oil, to prevent burning.
  • Maintain Correct Oil Temperatures: Use a cooking thermometer to ensure the oil is at the proper temperature – too hot can cause fires and smoking, too cool and the food will absorb too much oil.
  • Avoid Water Near the Fryer: Water can cause oil to splatter dangerously. Ensure all foods are dry or well-coated in batter, and keep liquids away from the hot oil.
  • Fill Pot Appropriately: Do not overfill the fryer with oil. Oil can expand when heated and overflow, which can cause a fire.
  • Gently Lower Food into the Oil: Use tongs or a fryer basket to avoid splashes when placing food in the oil.
  • Keep a Fire Extinguisher Nearby: Make sure you have a fire extinguisher rated for grease fires (Class K) within reach in case of emergency.
  • Protect Yourself from Splatters: Wear long sleeves and use oven mitts when handling the hot fryer or food to protect yourself from burns.


I hope you’re excited to try making these crispy treats at home! Just keep in mind that while it’s all about getting that perfect golden crunch, being safe is super important too. Now, with all these tips and recipes in hand, you’re all set to cook up some delicious deep-fried goodness.

picture of smiling female

By Katie Shaw

Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.

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