Did We Really Need To Fry These Foods?

Many countries around the world typically associate the cooking method of deep-frying things with American cuisine. From popular favorites like fried chicken to more uncommon entities like deep-fried butter, it's hard to deny that America certainly has a knack for transforming foods into something entirely different. And while it makes sense for some, other deep-fried creations leave us scratching our heads. Here are 20 foods you wouldn't think need to be fried but America did it anyway.

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1. Twinkie

Twinkies are already a snack that confuses foreigners, so when they're deep-fried, it just puts their heads in a spin. This popular fair food and novelty treat truly takes America's favorite classic snack up a notch. Coated in batter and fried until they're golden (more than they already are), you're left with a crispy exterior that hides an incredibly indulgent treat within. It's a unique dessert experience you won't find elsewhere.

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2. Oreo

Another popular carnival treat, deep-fried Oreos consist of these famous chocolate sandwich cookies dipped in batter and fried. The result? The heat from the fryer transforms the cookie into a warm, gooey delight that contrasts against the crispy shell. It's awfully sweet though, meaning it's not something you should eat very often.

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3. Butter

Deep-fried butter is a very confusing one - how did this one even come to be? As one of the richest treats you can possibly enjoy at any state fair, this snack involves frying frozen balls of butter that have been coated in dough. And if that wasn't enough, they're often served with glazes or sweet sauces to dip in.

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4. Ice Cream

Doesn't deep-fried ice cream just sound like a paradoxical dessert? If you're wondering how this is even made, all you need to do is coat a scoop of ice cream in batter or breadcrumbs before quickly tossing it in the fryer. It only needs to be in there long enough to create a warm, crispy shell while the inside is still cold. It's certainly a unique contrast of textures and temperatures!

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5. Candy Bars

Deep-fried candy bars, most commonly Snickers, are a decadent treat you wouldn't have thought to put two and two together. The frozen candy bar is coated in batter before being deep-fried, melting the chocolate and caramel inside slightly, but creating a crispy shell that perfectly encapsulates all the goodness inside.

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6. Pizza

Say goodbye to this traditional Italian dish; once deep-fried, this Western-Italian creation becomes entirely American. Done in slices or individual-sizes, these pizzas are dipped in batter and deep-fried until crispier than ever before. Combined with the melty cheese, we don't even want to imagine how many calories are in this indulgent snack.

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7. Pickles

Tangy with the ultimate bite, who knew pickles needed even more of a crunch? Deep-fried pickles can be made either sliced or fried whole, but the result is the same. The frying process enhances the pickle's natural tanginess while making the exterior even crispier. When served alongside dipping sauces like ranch dressing, your taste buds will be in for a world of flavor (though the rest of your body won't be too happy with you). 

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8. Bacon

With bacon already being an incredibly crispy food, we can't believe someone had the idea to deep-fry it to crisp it up even further. While frying it does intensify the bacon flavor and make it beyond crunchy, combining an unhealthy food with an unhealthy cooking method makes for something you absolutely should not be eating very often.

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9. Deep-Fried Zucchini

While you won't be able to enjoy the health benefits of this vegetable anymore, deep-frying zucchini does give it a crispy shell that compliments its soft inside. Suddenly, this mild-flavored veggie becomes something entirely different, especially when paired with dipping sauces like ranch of marinara. 

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10. Green Tomatoes

A popular Southern delicacy, deep-fried green tomatoes take slices of this unripe fruit, coat them in cornmeal, and fry them until crispy and golden. Similar to the pickles, the result is a crunchy outside and a tangy, juicy inside. It's typically served as a side dish or appetizer accompanied by an array of sauces. 

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11. Avocado

Here's a weird one for you: deep-fried avocados. This strange snack consists of slices or wedges of avocado being coated in a seasoned batter and deep-fried. This method of cooking makes the avocado even creamier, creating a warm, creamy interior and a unique crunchy exterior. It's often served with dipping sauces or even used as a taco filling.

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12. Coca-Cola

This is one combination that we never thought we'd see. This fried concoction is an awfully bizarre snack where frozen Coca-Cola flavored batter is formed into small balls and deep fried. The result is a fizzy, sweet treat that's crispy on the outside with a soft, cake-like interior. To finish it off, it's often drizzled with a Coca-Cola syrup and topped with whipped cream and a cherry. 

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13. Spaghetti and Meatballs

Deep-fried spaghetti and meatballs take this classic Italian dish and turn it into a crispy, bite-sized snack. Cooked noodles are formed into balls (or wedges), covered in breadcrumbs, and fried until they have the perfect crispy shell. They offer a crunchy outside with a warm, savory inside, served with marinara sauce for dipping. We already thought this pasta dish was perfect, but apparently some still want to do more with it.

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14. Bubble Gum

Deep-fried bubble gum isn't actually bubble gum, but rather bubble gum-flavored marshmallows that are slathered in batter and deep fried. This unusual treat is then drizzled with a bubble gum extract-infused icing, creating a unique dessert with a variety of textures. Let's just say, if you hate bubble gum flavored things, you're probably not going to like this one.

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15. Watermelon

Not even fruit is safe from the deep fryer! Deep-fried watermelons attempt to make this fruit even sweeter by drenching it in batter before being fried. It creates a warm, caramelized exterior, while the interior somehow maintains its usual juiciness and freshness. It's a surprising combo of crispy and juicy textures that will be unlike anything you've ever tasted. Just make sure you're aware those health benefits are long gone. 

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16. Beer

By sealing beer inside pockets of pretzel-like dough, masterminds were able to figure out the exact timing to fry these weird creations until the outside is crunchy and yet the beer is still in tact. The heat will warm up the liquid though, which won't settle nicely for those who believe this alcoholic beverage should only be enjoyed cold. 

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17. Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich

While most people believe classics shouldn't be touched, America thought otherwise for this beloved sandwich. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are instant comfort foods that can take anyone back to their childhood. Frying it does create a crunchy texture to the soft bread and combines the flavors of the spreads well, but it also tacks on tons of extra calories you body doesn't want or need.

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18. Pumpkin Pie

Is it really a good idea to make something so rich feel even heavier? Pumpkin pie is typically enjoyed at the end of a Thanksgiving feast, but frying it might make it too hard to enjoy after such a big meal. While it does provide a satisfying contrast in textures to the usual soft, spiced filling, we don't think this dessert is in need of an unhealthy boost.

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19. Sushi

Does the idea of warm sushi weird you out? Well, deep-fried sushi takes traditional sushi rolls and gives them a crispy twist by battering and frying them. The heat will definitely warm up the rice and seafood inside, so if that confuses you, this may not be for you. 

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20. Cheesecake

Deep-fried cheesecake on a stick anyone? Another incredibly rich dessert made even richer, this indulgent treat is typically seen in fairs and carnivals. By frying it, the filling becomes even creamier and sharper, making your taste buds dial up to eleven. Just make sure this isn't the only way you enjoy your cheesecakes moving forward.

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