45 Fried Food Recipes That Bring Comfort To The Kitchen

Salad bowls are delicious, but they're not very comforting. Soup and stew are perfect for a rainy day. But none of this can compare to munching on succulent, crispy fried chicken, fighting over the halloumi fries on movie night, or serving a pile of struffoli to a dinner table full of impressed guests. It's inarguable that fried foods are among the most crave-worthy of all.

But let's address the elephant in the room. Fried food isn't usually the healthiest choice, even though the rise of trendy air fryers has changed the game, erasing the connotation of these dishes as necessarily being greasy or fatty. However, more importantly, we consider the heart of food to reside in connecting relationships, evoking nostalgia, exploring culinary delights, providing nourishment, and delivering deliciousness. Besides, "everything in moderation" — as the saying goes.

Whether you limit fried foods to fry day (get it?) or enjoy them every other day, we've got a selection of recipes sure to introduce you to unexplored culinary territory, offering boundless inspiration. There's something for everyone, whether you're a plant-based eater, have a sweet tooth, love exploring other cultures through food, or merely believe everything tastes better once fried (and you'd be right). If you're ready, let's dive in — but fair warning, these suggestions are guaranteed to get your mouth watering!

It's no secret that you can find some of the best hearty comfort food in the South, especially fried foods. We particularly enjoy hush puppies — they're crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, made from a mixture of cornmeal, all-purpose flour, buttermilk, and eggs. Compared to normal hush puppies, this recipe is a little different (and a little better). It incorporates nontraditional ingredients like beer — which adds a depth of flavor and makes the batter airy — plus smoky and spicy andouille sausage, and finishes with savory and punchy notes from Cajun seasoning.

Recipe: Cajun Andouille Hush Puppies

In Taiwan, once the clock strikes midnight, the night comes alive with the sounds and smells of street food. Taiwanese popcorn chicken, a local delicacy that draws bustling crowds, is the main attraction. But you needn't wait until night sets in to savor this Asian delight. Gather ginger, garlic, Shaoxing wine, soy sauce, and spices for the marinade. Coat the chicken in sweet potato starch, fry until crunchy, then sprinkle with hot Sichuan peppercorns and crispy fried basil. In less than 30 minutes, you'll have all the flavors of Taiwan — without stepping outside the house.

Recipe: Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken

A visit to the fairgrounds is incomplete without a bite of America's favorite deep-fried snack, corn dogs. However, if you're anything like us, the craving for corn dogs doesn't always coincide with the county fair. Well, we've got good news for you: These treats are effortless to make at home. For the ultimate homemade carnival food experience, gather inexpensive hot dogs, wooden skewers, and a basic corn dog batter. But this isn't any old recipe — we divulge two secret ingredients that will completely change the game.

Recipe: Sweet And Spicy Corn Dogs

Nuanced, tangy, earthy, sweet, citrusy — these eggplant rounds hold a lot of flavor. Modeled after the fresh-yet-complex flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean, this vegetarian recipe is a guaranteed hit among crowds. The dish's flexibility means it's equally enjoyable served hot or cold, making it perfect for gatherings or parties.

Moreover, preparing the coated eggplant takes less than 30 minutes — including the time it takes to make a tantalizingly aromatic and sticky honey-thyme glaze to drizzle on the pieces of golden eggplant.

Recipe: Levantine-Inspired Fried Eggplant

Would you ever guess that one of America's most beloved finger-food recipes, coconut shrimp, is remarkably easy to make at home? And even more shockingly, these little flavor bombs only require a handful of ingredients. Although you may be used to buying coconut shrimp frozen, this recipe will be a complete game changer; the fresh raw shrimp becomes juicy and plump once cooked, while the panko-coconut breading is golden, crispy, and offers the perfect amount of sweetness to counter the natural saltiness of the shrimp.

Recipe: Pan-Fried Coconut Shrimp

Air fryers are becoming increasingly popular as the years pass by. If you doubt that air-fried meals could match the deliciousness of deep-fried ones, all it takes is one recipe to change your mind: this mouthwatering air-fried chicken. It's less messy, healthier, and surprisingly delicious, all thanks to the spice-infused buttermilk batter and the flour-based coating. You won't believe the difference, especially when served with creamy mashed potatoes and gravy, turning this air fryer fried chicken into an ideal comfort meal.

Recipe: Air Fryer Fried Chicken

Who doesn't love mozzarella sticks? In our experience, this beloved finger food is a family favorite, with everyone from children to grandparents munching on the cheesy snacks. Calling deep-fried cheese a crowd-pleaser is an understatement; plates will be empty every time you serve this recipe, guaranteed.

The best thing about this recipe is that it's easily freezable, meaning you can grab a batch and fry them anytime you get a craving. To make the mozzarella sticks, just dip the cheese in flour, egg, and then a breadcrumb mixture seasoned with dried oregano, paprika, and garlic powder. Fry until crispy, gooey, and oozing, then serve with your favorite condiment.

Recipe: Gooey Stringy Mozzarella Sticks

Dessert may not be your first choice when the cold winter chill hits, but this Southern classic is comforting, homey, and unbelievably simple to make at home. It only takes 15 minutes to fry your sliced apples — we recommend Pink Lady or Granny Smith — but the beautiful caramelized flavor from brown sugar makes you think this dessert takes much more effort than it really does. And the best bit? The heavenly aroma of sizzling butter flavored with sweet cinnamon, warming nutmeg, and floral vanilla wafting through the air. 

Recipe: Warm Spiced Southern Fried Apples

Bringing that nostalgic diner-style taste home can be challenging — but with our help, you can recreate those beloved flavors without the concerns of diner drawbacks, like food-prep safety or inconsistent service. One of our favorites to cook at home is crispy chicken fried steak topped with creamy gravy, sunny-side-up eggs, and shredded hash browns. Buy the steak pre-tenderized, dip it in eggs, then press the meat into a spiced flour mix — just like fried chicken — before adding it to hot oil. That distinctive crunch is best when it's fresh from the fryer.

Recipe: Diner-Style Chicken Fried Steak

Cornbread is a Thanksgiving staple, but in some areas of the Southern U.S., it's a comfort food enjoyed on a weekly basis. If you're a cornbread connoisseur, you'll know all about old-school hot water cornbread — if not, let us introduce you. This recipe is a more rustic variant of the traditional cornbread, containing the same pantry staples; cornmeal, salt, sugar, and oil. Instead of pouring the batter into a pan, we mix it up, shape it into patties, and fry it, producing an extra-soft bite perfect for soaking up piquant chili or melted butter.

Recipe: Old-Fashioned Hot Water Cornbread

Compared to the exceedingly well-liked beef fried rice or chicken fried rice, this recipe may not have as many champions, but we're here to change your mind. Pork works well in fried rice because its mild, slightly sweet flavor complements the full-bodied soy sauce, while its fatty texture means the meat remains succulent and juicy. We love to finish the dish with plenty of finely chopped fresh vegetables and the obligatory aromatics: garlic, ginger, and onion. With a little effort, you'll create a restaurant-worthy dish quicker than ordering takeout.

Recipe: Pork Fried Rice

Crunchy, juicy, succulent, and tender chicken oozing with mild and fruity Emmental cheese. Doesn't that sound mouthwatering? Chicken cordon bleu, a French dish that likely first arrived in North America sometime during the 1960s, is an impressive dinner that's as indulgent as it is crowd-pleasing.

Unlike other breaded chicken recipes, this is unique: it has gooey cheese and smoked ham stuffing, elevating it to an upper echelon of culinary comfort food. Furthermore, our recipe developer has a secret ingredient that'll add an earthy refinement and perfectly match the classic European flavors.

Recipe: Classic Chicken Cordon Bleu

There's a definite correlation between comfort food and takeout food. Crab rangoon, an appetizer widespread in Chinese-American restaurants nationwide, are no different. It's no wonder this fusion dish is so famous — it's the perfect bite-size party food, with fragile little crispy fried wonton wrappers stuffed to the brim with creamy, salty crab. Like a typical takeout, our recipe uses imitation crab meat (which is mild and affordable) mixed with cream cheese, scallions, Worcestershire sauce, and pre-made wonton wrappers. Making these snacks at home is a fun exercise for the whole family, with a massively delicious reward.

Recipe: Homemade Crab Rangoon

Like several Italian dishes, chicken piccata balances simplicity and elegance effortlessly. At its core, these chicken breasts aren't much different from the standard American fried chicken. But the salty, citrusy, fruity, buttery sauce makes all the difference, transforming this into a dish worthy of dinner parties and deluxe restaurants. The inspiration for our recipe comes from Michelin-starred cooking, ensuring its outstanding quality.

Lightly fried crispy chicken is topped with lemon zest, while the sauce is a jaw-dropping must-try: butter swirled with aromatic shallots, garlic, and tart capers, deglazed with white wine and enriched with stock.

Recipe: Upscale Chicken Piccata

The po boy (or "poor boy", derived from local dialect) is one of the most iconic sandwiches of the United States. Created in the bustling city of New Orleans, the sandwich base is a crusty, fluffy-in-the-center local variety of a French baguette, slathered with a tangy, creamy spread made from mayonnaise, mustard, chopped pickles, and hot sauce.

Of course, the main event here is shrimp, marinated in hot sauce-infused buttermilk, breaded with spicy and smoky cornmeal, then fried. The contrast between the bread, acidic pickles, creamy sauce, and crispy, juicy shrimp will have you reaching for more.

Recipe: Shrimp Po Boy Sandwich

Despite its upscale appearance, this recipe is surprisingly straightforward to prepare. It's an ideal option for those seeking comfort and delicious flavors right in their own kitchen. Dig out a bag of frozen shrimp from your freezer, and mix ground black pepper, salt, and garlic powder with flour, before dipping the shrimp in the seasoned flour, then in beaten eggs, and finally into the panko. Your choice of breadcrumbs is vital: Panko gives a distinctively crispy, flaked texture that's too inviting to resist.

Recipe: Panko Fried Shrimp

Is it just us, or are the appetizers the best part of Chinese takeout? Crab rangoons, wontons, and, let's not forget, egg rolls. These finger-licking-good snacks are everyone's favorite, and it's no wonder. The crisp, brittle, rich wrappers bursting with lightly seasoned cabbage, carrots, and meaty shiitake mushrooms are so tasty it's dangerous. Thankfully, pre-made egg roll wrappers make recreating this vegetarian treat a breeze, and it'll take only 20 minutes. Don't forget the hoisin sauce for dipping — and cook enough to share.

Recipe: Vegetarian Egg Rolls

Of all the ingredients with a bad reputation, okra may be the most maligned. Many chefs avoid the vegetable, citing its slimy, gooey nature as reason enough to restrict its usage to gumbo or stew. If you fall into this camp, you're missing out, and there's an easy solution to your fears: frying.

Fried okra covered in smoky cayenne and grainy cornmeal is anything but slimy. In fact, it's juicy and tender, but also sensationally crisp, crunchy, and tasty enough to eat alone (or maybe with some aioli).

Recipe: Pan Fried Okra

It's well-known that Irish people love the starchy, adaptable potato — honestly, who doesn't? Still, Irish potato dishes are some of the most rustic, filling, and hearty, with potato cakes taking the prize as one of the most satisfying breakfast plates.

Perhaps the best thing about these potato cakes is that you can make them using leftover mashed potatoes. The only additional ingredients you'll require are eggs for binding, flour to achieve that characteristic light and fluffy texture, and salt and pepper for seasoning. For optimal savory flavors, we recommend frying these beauties in butter.

Recipe: Irish Potato Cakes

You can't help but feel hungry when you see that golden, crispy outer shell and glimpse the creamed sweet corn inside. Corn fritters have always been a go-to for quick, comforting bites, but this recipe surpasses what we're accustomed to. Our secret for superior corn fritters is found in a simple technique: whipping egg whites. Create unbelievably light and airy fritters by mixing canned creamed corn with baking powder, flour, salt, paprika (for just a hint of fruity spice), egg yolks for richness, and the fluffy whipped egg whites.

Recipe: Corn Fritters

A familiar scent or taste can work wonders to transport you back to joyful childhood memories. If you're yearning for the thrill of carnival rides, the joy of midway games, and the satisfaction of biting into a classic elephant ear after a fun day, why not recreate the experience at home? Elephant ears are such an iconic food, and despite having a yeasted dough, these sweet fried treats are surprisingly easy to make at home with our step-by-step recipe.

Recipe: Best Elephant Ears

Like any chef, we appreciate complex flavors, yet traditional classics carry undeniable charm. Churros — a beloved delicacy believed to originate in Spain, and made famous by theme parks nationwide — comprise a perfect example. Their unique flavor sets churros apart from other fried sweets, owing to the soft pastry core. Making churros begins with bringing water, salt, butter, sugar, and vanilla extract to a boil, then folding in flour before adding eggs. Use a star nozzle to pipe them into the characteristic stick shape, then fry. Make the most of piping hot churros with a dusting of cinnamon sugar or a liberal ladle of warm chocolate sauce.

Recipe: Simple Churros