5 Secrets to Healthy Deep Frying

The words ‘deep frying’ tend to send shivers down the spine of anyone trying to live a healthy lifestyle.  This is along the lines of those who think that when you decide to eat healthy you need to give up great taste.  Unfortunately, broiling your favorite meat or vegetable in the oven just doesn’t compete with the golden crispness and juicy flavor that comes from a fryer.  With just a few simple tips you can enjoy the great taste and quick preparation that deep frying presents and not have to sacrifice your healthy lifestyle.

1. The most important variable that contributes to the non-healthy nature of fried foods is the temperature of the oil you are using.  Making sure the oil is at a high enough temperature will ensure that a layer of steam will surround your food and not allow the oil to penetrate – resulting in you consuming that high-fat oil along with your food.  Make sure your oil is between 350 and 375 degrees before you put food into it.
2. Be sure your deep fryer is not too small or has too small a heat source compared to the amount of food that you are cooking.  If you typically serve large crowds make sure your deep fryer is oversized so that the temperature will does not drop below 350 degrees during the cooking cycle.
3. Don’t crowd the food in your fryer.  When you crowd the food in the frying it does not allow the hot oil to completely surround each piece.  You need the hot oil to completely surround the food to set up the steam barrier that prevents the oil from penetrating your food items.
4. Make sure the food you’re frying is cut into uniform sizes.  You want the entire batch to be done at approximately the same time.  If your food is of widely varying size you will be forced to leave the smaller portions in too long so that the larger portions become done.  This increases the risk that the smaller portions will boil off all their moisture and allow oil to saturate the food product that you will be consuming.
5. Don’t be afraid to change the oil in your fryer.  Just like in your automobile the oil is only good for a certain number of uses.  Unfortunately there is no hard and fast rule as this depends on whether you’ve allowed the oil to overheat or used it for foods that allow it to saturate.  If you notice a strong discoloration or odor it is probably time to replace it.

Deep fryer manufacturers are fully aware of the health concerns that surround fried foods and are constantly innovating their products and helping to reduce our calorie intake while still allowing the preparation of a delicious meal or snack.