History Main / DeepFriedWhatever

* A variety of countries in Latin America have fried plantain (''platanos''). Plantains may be bananas, but they're more starchy than sweet: kinda like potatoes. Platanos deep fried with sour cream and refried beans is one of the more bizarre - not to mention delicious - aspects of Central American cuisine.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheGhostAndMollyMcGee'': The town festival features a stand that will deep fry anything a customer brings. It's introduced with a couple having their wedding cake deep fried, toppers and all. Naturally, BigEater Scratch is enamored with it and spends the episode classically conditioning Pete to bring in a massive tower of food for him.

In fiction, deep-fried menu items are a cliché way to depict PovertyFood on the rickety dinner table of a LowerClassLout, whether the story is set in the US DeepSouth or Britain OopNorth in an IndustrialGhetto. In CanadaEh, especially in Quebec and Ontario, poutine, french fries with gravy and cheese curds, is depicted as a popular food truck snack for working-class families. The depiction of deep-fried food as always a lower-income food choice isn't true; you can go to a fancy Japanese restaurant and order tempura, which is battered, deep-fried items, or a fancy ChezRestaurant and order a "steak frites" (beef steak and thin deep-fried strips).

In fiction, deep-fried menu items are a cliché way to depict PovertyFood on the rickety dinner table of a LowerClassLout, whether the story is set in the US DeepSouth or Britain OopNorth in an IndustrialGhetto. In CanadaEh, especially in Quebec and Ontario, poutine, french fries with gravy and cheese curds, is depicted as a popular food truck snack for working-class families. The depiction of deep-fried food as always a lower-income food choice isn't true; you can go to a fancy Japanese restaurant and order tempura, which is battered, deep-fried items.

In fiction, deep-fried menu items are a cliché way to depict PovertyFood on the rickety dinner table of a LowerClassLout, whether the story is set in the US DeepSouth or Britain OopNorth in an IndustrialGhetto. In CanadaEh, especially in Quebec and Ontario, poutine, french fries with gravy and cheese curds, is a popular food truck snack.

In the practice of deep-frying, your item of choice is dipped in batter and submerged in hot oil or fat, where it cooks quickly and gains a crispy, crunchy, tasty exterior. Soaking things in boiling-hot fat can make ''anything'' delicious, whether savory or sweet. A common practice is to take something already delicious, [[NutritionalNightmare loaded with fat and sugar]], and batter and deep-fry it '''FOR EXTRA FLAVOR'''. When this trope is pushed to absurd levels, it is always PlayedForLaughs.

In fiction, deep-fried menu items are a cliché way to depict PovertyFood on the rickety dinner table of a LowerClassLout, whether the story is set in the US DeepSouth or Britain OopNorth in an IndustrialGhetto. In CanadaEh, especially in Quebec and Ontario, poutine, french fries with gravy and cheese curds, is a popular food truck snack.

In fiction, deep-fried menu items are a cliché way to depict PovertyFood on the rickety dinner table of a LowerClassLout, whether the story is set in the US DeepSouth or Britain OopNorth in an IndustrialGhetto. In CanadaEh, especially in Quebec and Ontario, poutine, french fries with gravy and cheese curds, is a popular food truck snack.

In the practice of deep-frying, your item of choice is submerged in hot oil or fat, where it cooks extremely quickly and gains a crispy, crunchy, and very tasty exterior. Soaking things in boiling-hot fat can make ''anything'' delicious. A common practice is to take something already delicious, [[NutritionalNightmare loaded with fat and sugar]], and deep-fry it '''FOR EXTRA FLAVOR'''. When this trope is pushed to absurd levels, it is always PlayedForLaughs.

In RealLife, deep-frying is popular in America (particularly in the DeepSouth), Scotland, and parts of Asia. A possible reason for its success is that deep-frying is so much ''faster'' than other methods of cooking. Once the oil is hot enough, the food cooks in minutes. This is particularly good in hot climates (like the American South and the parts of Asia, like Guangdong Province in China, where it is widespread) because when it's hot outside and there's no air conditioning, you want to stay out of the hot kitchen as much as possible. And since the heat makes a seal in the outer layer of the food, the inside is not as greasy as one might expect (if it is, someone did something wrong), as opposed to pan frying.

In fiction, deep-fried menu items are a cliché way to depict PovertyFood on the rickety dinner table of a LowerClassLout, whether the story is set in the US DeepSouth or Britain OopNorth in an IndustrialGhetto.

* In ''Film/ScotlandPA'', the [=McBeths=] threaten to kill Norm Duncan by shoving his face into the frying oil, then end up actually doing so by accident. Sort of. You really had to be there. This also serves as the source of Pat [=McBeth's=] OutDamnedSpot scenes: When Duncan dies, a small splash of frying oil burns her hand; as she goes mad, she becomes convinced that the burn is getting worse, even though it's completely healed.

* ''WebAnimation/HappyTreeFriends'': Disco Bear manages to deep fry a ''[[NutritionalNightmare stick of butter]]'' while at a restaurant in "Change of Heart".

* In a ''Series/{{MADtv}}'' parody of Creator/AaronSpelling ActionGirl shows, a trio of fast-food workers find a bomb in their restaurant. So one of the girls dunks the bomb in batter and deep-fries it, and it explodes harmlessly within the breading shell. The audience cheers.

** Dr. Forrester deep fried ''Frank'' as a punishment.

[[caption-width-right:320:Pffft. They didn't even [[ComicallyMissingThePoint deep-fry the ketchup]].[[note]]For those who can't quite make it out, yes, that is ''indeed'' a deep-fried ''double'' cheeseburger.[[/note]]]]

** "Squeaky Boots": When [=SpongeBob=]'s new squeaky boots began to drive Mr. Krabs crazy, he steals them and hides them under the floorboards of the Krusty Krab. But on seeing how awful [=SpongeBob=] feels about losing the boots, Krabs' guilty conscience causes him to hear the sound of their squeaking constantly, ''Tell-Tale Heart'' style, until [[SanitySlippage he cracks up completely]]. Mr. Krabs proceeds to pull the boots out of their hiding place, dunk them in frying oil, and eat them.

[[caption-width-right:320:Pffft. They didn't even [[ComicallyMissingThePoint deep-fry the ketchup]].[[note]]For those who can't quite make it out, yes, that is ''indeed'' a deep fried ''double'' cheese burger.[[/note]]]]

In the practice of deep-frying, your item of choice is submerged in hot oil or fat, where it cooks extremely quickly and gains a crispy, crunchy and very tasty exterior. Soaking things in boiling-hot fat can make ''anything'' delicious. A common practice is to take something already delicious, [[NutritionalNightmare loaded with fat and sugar]], and deep-fry it '''FOR EXTRA FLAVOR'''. When this trope is pushed to absurd levels, it is always PlayedForLaughs.

In RealLife, deep-frying is popular in America (particularly in the DeepSouth), Scotland, and parts of Asia. A possible reason for its success is because deep-frying is so much ''faster'' than other methods of cooking. Once the oil is hot enough, the food cooks in minutes. This is particularly good in hot climates (like the American South and the parts of Asia, like Guangdong Province in China, where it is widespread), because when it's hot outside and there's no air conditioning, you want to stay out of the hot kitchen as much as possible. And since the heat makes a seal in the outer layer of the food, the inside is not as greasy as one might expect (if it is, someone did something wrong), as opposed to pan frying.

--> '''Fairy Godmother:''' I don't care whose fault this was, just get it sorted! And could someone please bring me something deep fat fried and smothered in chocolate...

* ''Literature/DiaryOfAWimpyKidTheLongHaul'': During the Heffley's road trip, they stop at a county fair, during which Greg, Rodrick, and Mr. Heffley get some sticks of deep fried butter. ([[TruthInTelevision Which, as mentioned under Real Life, does actually exist]].)

* On a Christmas episode of ''Series/MenBehavingBadly'', Tony gets given a deep-fat fryer for Christmas. Over the course of the episode he deep-fries an array of unlikely foodstuffs, culminating in him deep-frying the telephone.
* ''Series/ArrestedDevelopment'' featured the Cornballer, one of the Bluth family's more unfortunate business ventures. A deep-fat fryer for making fried corn balls in the home, it was discontinued in the US because the device was scalding hot to the touch. It was still being sold in Mexico, where angry citizens imprisoned an escaped George Sr. after recognizing him from the {{infomercial}} for it.
* On ''Series/GilmoreGirls'' in the episode with four Thanksgivings, Sookie's husband Jackson deep-fries the turkey, then gets drunk and begins deep frying other things. As Sookie, a genius master chef, [[INeedAFreakingDrink gets drunker]] [[DrowningMySorrows and drunker]] in order to cope, she laments that the only reason the mattresses are intact is because they wouldn't fit, a yell is heard in the background: 'Deep-fried Shoe!' At which point [[{{Facepalm}} she buries her face in her hands]]. She eventually holds up her margarita glass in a resigned toast.

* Paula Deen's many cooking shows involve extremes of deep fried food. Among the most egregious examples was an actual ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42oUVwyFsZI cheesecake]]'' wrapped in wonton dough and given the deep fry treatment.

* ''Series/{{Castle}}'': Castle sleeps with his first ex-wife when she rolls into town for a short time. He compares it to the guilty pleasure of a "deep fried Twinkie".

* One ''Webcomic/SluggyFreelance'' arc involved a quest for The Ultimate Food Preparation/Additive. Competitors included Chocolate, Salt, Garlic Butter and, finally, 'Battered and Deep Fried'. Which won out in the end. Salt was a clear contender, and may have won without the intervention of Bun-bun.

* A yearly trek for [[Creator/BradJones Team Snob]] is the Illinois State Fair, where they do an episode of "WebVideo/BradTries" featuring whatever happens to look good (or bad) and includes several fried dishes. Examples of which are deep fried shark (bland, not sharky), a deep fried pickle w/ 1000 island sriracha inside (gross), and deep fried cookie dough topped with powdered sugar (''heavenly'').
* The Website/YouTube channel [[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClGLOG9SdGYzPUlL4ur0zyQ CultMoo]] runs a series called "Deep Fried What?", where they deep fry various foods and taste to see if the results any good.

** In one episode, the Smiths own a deep fryer and have a conversation at the beginning of the episode about how good the food they cook with it is. Then Francine drops her ink pen in the fryer, takes a bite out of it and remarks that "it even makes this pen taste good". The plot of the episode revolves around the county outlawing transfats, making all the deep-fried food taste like crap and Stan enlisting Steve in smuggling transfats across the state line.

** When Moe's becomes a family-friendly [[KitschyThemedRestaurant T.G.I. Friday's-type restaurant]] in "Bart Sells His Soul", he purchases a deep-fryer which deep fries ''everything'', including champagne bottles.

** Homer deep-fries his shirt in one episode. Even clothing's better deep fried!

** There was also a CouchGag of the Simpsons being deep fried on their couch.

* ''WesternAnimation/RocketPower'' touches on it. When the Stimpletons are asked to temporarily watch the Shore Shack, [[CrankyNeighbor Merv]] at first objects, until Violet says "Let's play with the deep fat fryer" and he is quieted down.

* In ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'', Stan, Kyle, Kenny and Cartman sit down to eat KFC, but as soon as the others turn their backs, Cartman gobbles up the skin for himself. The others complain that the fried skin is the best part. Kenny even starts crying.
* WesternAnimation/BeavisAndButtHead spend a lot of their time torturing bugs and small animals in the Burger World deep-fryer, and on at least two occasions have served the results to the customers. Neither time the customers noticed. In fact, the "special seasoned curly fries" (deep fried nightcrawlers) were a big hit.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Duckman}}'' once visited a factory that made deep fried waffles and roast beef on a stick as part of a case. The place is a complete death trap because of all the grease runoff. The food itself tastes good, but...
--> '''Duckman:''' Not bad. Tastes like there's something extra mixed in with the beef.\\
'''Bob:''' Of course there is,you think a rat problem like this side of town had just suddenly goes away?\\

* [[http://thisiswhyyourefat.tumblr.com/archive The blog]] "This Is Why You're Fat" is full of these among other [[NutritionalNightmare heart attack causers]]. (Examples include: Double Bypass Burger - burger topped with five slices of bacon, four slices of cheese, two fried eggs, mayo, lettuce, tomato, and onion between two buns made up of two grilled-cheese sandwhiches, deep fried ravioli, and deep fried corn flake twinkies). So good yet soooooo bad!

* Scotland brings us the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep-fried_Mars_bar fried Mars Bar]] (the one that kicked off the whole meme about Scotland and deep-fried everything) as well as deep-fried pizza. The former was initially a joke item that gained popularity. Scotland also has fast food venues which offer to deep fry anything you want.

** In general, this trope is popular in Scotland, which makes sense (the Deep South's obsession with frying everything comes from the Scottish origins of many if not most ancestral Southerners). In fact, it's a country which will forever be associated with deep-fried everything. Although the nation is making mighty attempts to change this perception in the eyes of the rest of the world, its nutritionists are facing a battle as uphill as Ben Nevis. Read more '''[[http://munchies.vice.com/articles/scotlands-deep-fried-culture-is-an-inside-joke here]]'''.

* The Big E state fair in New England strives to up its deep frying game every year. Deep fried offerings have included: oreos, [=KoolAid=], jelly beans, apple pie, butter, and even deep fried ''martinis''.

* Similar to the above-mentioned deep-fried Mars bar are deep-fried Twinkies or deep fried Oreos. Hostess started selling their own frozen deep-fried Twinkies in 2016. Just stick 'em in the oven for a few minutes (or re-deep fry them if you're willing to go that far).

* This is not just an American trope -- in Taiwan they have little carts called xiansuji, which offer a variety of items to be deep fried, including bread, pork blood, chicken feet, and corn dogs, not to mention more regular fare such as chicken, hot dogs, green beans, etc.

* Another Japanese variety of deep fried food is karaage. This is much simpler as it only requires lightly coating the meat or fish in with seasoned wheat flour or potato starch mix and frying them up. Chicken karaage is a staple food item in Japanese pubs.

* Nearly every culture has some variant of deep fried ''fat'' as a way to make use of the stuff they'd usually throw away. The [[DeepSouth American South]] is the one of the few places where people who don't ''have'' to eat the stuff still do.
** In Eastern and Central Europe the lard is usually rendered not by boiling, but by frying the fat in question, after which the resulted cracklings (called "shkvarky" or variations thereof in most Slavic languages), seasoned with salt and pepper, are a common garnish and flavoring in most savory dishes. In Russia, Ukraine and Belarus the pork shkvarky are preferred, while Czechs ''love'' their goose ones.

* Indian Fry Bread. Essentially a flat, plate sized donut. It can be served as a dinner with chili or stew on top, or a dessert with powdered sugar and/or honey. Mexican Sopapilla is similar, but puffy so you put the topping on the inside. Outside the American Southwest, this is known as an elephant ear.

* Italy has ranges of deep-fried delicacies.

* A restaurant in Memphis called Dyer's brings us the deep fried burger, where they deep fried their burger patties in the same grease they have been using '''''for 100 years'''''. (If that sounds concerning, don't worry too much about that; they filter it daily and top it off to replace lost oil.)
* In the epitome of cool, Scotch Eggs. Take a hard boiled egg, wrap it in sausage, bread it, then deep fry the thing. Traditionally, a scotch egg is soft-boiled (aka coddled) instead, which provides a better mix of textures (crunchy coating, meaty sausage, chewy albumen, creamy yolk): for a modern take on how to do this, "culinary MadScientist" [[SupremeChef Heston]] [[CordonBleughChef Blumenthal]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gbgSCV9hbM delivers]]. The best part, though, is that pretty much any egg can be coddled... while the (probably Scottish) lunatic hasn't yet been found that would try this with a Cadbury Creme Egg, it's really only a matter of time.

* Deep fried waffles. With butter and maple syrup just like you'd have if it they weren't fried. They are delicious.
* Deep fried cheesecake, which may or may not be coated in chocolate and come with whip cream.

* Deep-fried vegetables. Zuchinni, broccoli, summer squash, cauliflower, onions, whatever. Battered, deep-fried cauliflower is traditional in some parts of the world; these are a popular breakfast and lunch item in Egypt in particular. Deep fried onions are amazing, because they turn crispy and lose the wet crunchiness that usually makes eating onions undesirable; examples that use them are the Indian classic 'Onion Bhaji' and the Swedish hot dog topping 'Rostad Lök'.

* Probably the most famous place to get deep fried food in the United States is the Texas State Fair. Every year, hundreds of food vendors show up, and all they offer is deep fried food. Its a heart attack's dream ([[NutritionalNightmare and a health nut's nightmare]]). They even have a special contest to determine the best new deep fried recipes; several of the aforementioned "crazy" deep-fried dishes (e.g. deep-fried butter and fried coke) are products of the competition. Deep fried ice cream? They got it. Deep fried beer? They got that too. ''Deep fried cotton candy?!!!'' It really is enough to make a man think nothing cannot be fried.

* Also from Canada comes the fast food chain [[https://beavertails.com/ Beavertails]] and their eponymous beavertails. Similar to the aforementioned fry bread, beavertails are large, flat, deep-fried donuts which come loaded with toppings such as cinnamon sugar, maple butter, apple pie filling, vanilla icing and Oreo cookie crumbs, etc.

* In the ''WesternAnimation/KingOfTheHill'' episode "Mutual of Omabwah", Bill and Boomhauer get a deep fryer, and use it on lots of things, including an already deep-fried chicken leg.

** [[HilarityEnsues Then they spill some and cause a grease fire.]]

** In "Rigby's Body", Mordecai and Rigby work in the park's snack bar, where they deep fry several foods while eating as much as they can. Rigby even eats a ''deep fried soda'', [[ExtremeOmnivore cup and all]].

--> '''Duckman''': Not bad. Tastes like there's something extra mixed in with the beef.\\
'''Bob''': Of course there is,you think a rat problem like this side of town had just suddenly goes away?\\
'''Duckman''': [[IAteWhat *spits it out*]]

* [[http://thisiswhyyourefat.tumblr.com/archive The blog]] "This Is Why You're Fat" is full of these among other [[NutritionalNightmare heart attack causers]]. (examples include: Double Bypass Burger - burger topped with five slices of bacon, four slices of cheese, two fried eggs, mayo, lettuce, tomato, and onion between two buns made up of two grilled-cheese sandwhiches, deep fried ravioli, and deep fried corn flake twinkies). So good yet soooooo bad!

* [[http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-807 Heart Attack on a Plate.]] To clarify, [[Wiki/SCPFoundation SCP-807]] is a ceramic plate that turns any food that is served on it into an artery-clogging delight with enhanced flavor & aroma. Unfortunately, said food is [[NutritionalNightmare so unhealthy]] that most creatures undergo cardiac arrest ''five minutes after eating it''.

'''[[HollywoodHeartAttack HHNNNNNNNG]]'''

* A fried variant occurs in [[http://babyblues.com/comics/july-19-2003/ this]] ''ComicStrip/BabyBlues'' strip.