Cook's Illustrated

Fry Without Fear

Plunging food into hot fat might seem impractical, but it’s actually an efficient way to cook. The entire surface gets exposed to the heat, so food cooks through quickly and uniformly. The oil can get really hot, so moisture evaporates, flavor is concentrated, and food develops unmatched crispness. And frying encourages browning and adds richness.

That behind-the-scenes magic is what makes fried food taste so good. And the best way to enjoy it is to do the frying yourself: You get to eat the food when it’s hot and crisp, and you can wow guests with still-warm doughnuts and audibly crunchy chips.

Here’s the news you don’t hear enough: Frying is fun and easy! All

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