What Is a Deep Fryer Used For Besides French Fries?

On this page (7 sections)

1. What Is a Deep Fryer Used For Besides French Fries?
2. What is a deep fryer used for at home?
3. Which foods work well in a deep fryer?
4. How do you choose a fryer for the food you cook?
5. How should you set up and use a deep fryer?
6. What common mistakes should you avoid?
7. What is a deep fryer used for, and which type should you choose?

What Is a Deep Fryer Used For Besides French Fries?

A deep fryer is used to cook foods in hot oil, including chicken, shrimp, onion rings, fish, and fries. What fits your kitchen depends on the fryer’s cooking space, its approved uses, and how much food you want to make at once.

A fryer can be useful when you want a crisp fried coating and a controlled place to heat oil. It is less useful if you fry rarely, have little room to store equipment, or want to avoid handling and disposing of used oil.

What is a deep fryer used for at home?

At home, a deep fryer cooks food by immersing it in hot oil. Common uses include french fries, chicken, shrimp, onion rings, and fish, with the fryer’s instructions guiding what you can cook and how much to add.

Basket shape and cooking capacity affect which pieces fit. Some models have extra functions, but those are model-specific.

Check the manual before using a fryer for any method beyond frying.

If you’re deciding which type suits your kitchen, our deep fryer buying guide covers sizes and fryer styles. To narrow the capacity, use what size deep fryer you need.

Which foods work well in a deep fryer?

Foods that fit the basket or cooking area and are approved in the manual are the best candidates. These three fryers illustrate different ways to match a model to the food you plan to make.

Can you fry chicken in a deep fryer?

Yes, you can fry chicken pieces in a home fryer when they fit and the instructions allow them. Keep pieces within the fryer’s capacity, and follow its directions for preparation and cooking.

The Presto GranPappy is a compact choice for smaller batches of chicken, shrimp, or onion rings. It uses six cups of oil, maintains frying temperature automatically, and includes a scoop for lifting and draining food.

This style suits cooks who want a simple countertop fryer and don’t need a basket for large pieces. Skip it if you need adjustable temperature controls, a removable tank, or room for broad pieces of fish.

Can you fry fish and seafood?

Yes, fish and seafood can go in a deep fryer if the pieces fit the cooking area and the manual allows them. An oblong basket can be helpful when a piece is longer than a typical basket is wide.

The Presto Pro Fry has dual oblong baskets for larger pieces of fish or chicken. It also has a fry or steam basket, a signal light for oil readiness, and removable heating element and enameled pot for cleaning.

This model suits households that want room for family-size quantities and the option to steam or boil vegetables and seafood. Skip it if counter space is tight: it is a larger countertop appliance than a compact fryer.

For more detail on choosing a fryer around seafood, see can you fry fish in a home deep fryer?.

Can you fry vegetables?

Yes, you can fry vegetables such as onion rings. Some models also support steaming or boiling vegetables, but don’t assume that feature is included on every fryer.

The Hamilton Beach 8 Cup model is a practical fit if you want adjustable temperature, a viewing window, and a fryer basket. Its removable lid, heating element, and enamel-coated oil tank help make cleanup more manageable.

This model suits cooks who want to monitor food while the lid helps reduce splatters. Skip it if you need the extra steaming and boiling functions described for the Presto Pro Fry.

How do you choose a fryer for the food you cook?

Choose based on food size, batch size, cleanup, and approved cooking methods. A fryer with enough capacity for your usual meal makes cooking simpler, while extra features matter only if you’ll use them.

For small servings, a compact unit such as the GranPappy can make sense. For larger pieces, compare basket shape as well as oil capacity.

A dual basket model offers room to separate foods, while a removable tank and heating element can simplify cleaning after use.

Think about where the fryer will live when it’s not in use. Measure available counter or cupboard space, and check the appliance’s dimensions before buying.

If donuts are on your menu, read whether you need a deep fryer to make donuts.

How should you set up and use a deep fryer?

Set up the fryer on a stable, level surface with clear space around it, then follow the manual for oil, power, and food preparation. Keep children away from hot oil, and don’t move the appliance while the oil is hot.

Before cooking, make sure the basket and any removable parts are in place. Add only the amount of oil specified by the manufacturer.

Let the fryer indicate when it is ready, then put food in carefully, in batches that fit without crowding the cooking area.

The Hamilton Beach model allows the basket to drain while the lid stays closed. For the exact operating steps and safety precautions, follow how to use a deep fryer for the first time and our deep fryer safety tips.

What common mistakes should you avoid?

The most common mistakes are overfilling the fryer, crowding the food, using a method the appliance doesn’t support, and moving or cleaning it before it has cooled. Each can make cooking harder or create avoidable safety problems.

Use the fryer’s stated oil amount and keep food within its capacity. Don’t put water in a fryer designed only for frying, and don’t add food before the oil is ready.

Check the manual for the right preparation and batch size instead of guessing.

Oil care matters too. Let the appliance cool as directed before handling the oil.

Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions, and see how to clean a deep fryer for cleaning steps and how to dispose of used fryer oil when it’s time to discard it.

What is a deep fryer used for, and which type should you choose?

A deep fryer is used for more than fries: it can cook chicken, fish, shrimp, and vegetables when they fit and the manual permits them. Pick the GranPappy for smaller batches and simple operation, the Hamilton Beach for adjustable temperature and easier cleanup, or the Presto Pro Fry for larger pieces and added steaming or boiling options.

If you fry only occasionally or don’t want to manage hot oil, a deep fryer may not suit your routine. If you do, match the fryer’s shape and capacity to the meals you make, then use the deep fryer buying guide to compare types before choosing.

Frequently asked questions

What foods can you cook in a deep fryer?

A deep fryer can cook foods such as fries, chicken, shrimp, onion rings, and fish, as long as they fit and the fryer instructions allow them. Some models also support steaming or boiling.

Follow the manual for food preparation, batch size, and cooking directions, and avoid adding food that exceeds the fryer’s capacity.

Can you cook vegetables in a deep fryer?

Yes. You can fry vegetables such as onion rings, and some fryer models also allow steaming or boiling vegetables.

Check the manual to confirm the method and prepare the food as directed.

Keep each batch within the recommended amount so the food has room to cook evenly.

Can you cook fish in a deep fryer?

Yes, a deep fryer can cook fish when the pieces fit and the manual permits them. Basket shape matters for longer pieces, so compare the cooking space before you buy.

For more help choosing a fryer for fish, see our guide to frying fish in a home deep fryer.

Can you use a countertop deep fryer for a whole turkey?

Most countertop fryers are too small for a whole turkey. Use only a fryer designed for turkey cooking, and follow its stated weight limit and instructions.

Our electric turkey fryer guide explains the main types to compare.