Deep Frying: Method and Recipes

These bean fritters originated in Western Africa, but with the slave trade they spread to the Caribbean and Brazil. Crispy on the outside and creamy in the middle, they are variously known as akra, acra, accra, acrat and acarajé. Read more »

Say the word "alcapurrias," and most Puerto Ricans think "beach food." These scrumptious fritters are usually made with a batter of taro (yautía) and green bananas (guineos verdes), and are stuffed with either a meat (pino) filling or with crab, shrimp or lobster. Sold by vendors on the beach, they make a great snack for hungry stomachs after a long day in the sun. Read more »

Corn dogs are American carnival, fair, and amusement park food. They are one of many "foods-on-a-stick" found at such celebrations and venues. A favorite of children, corn dogs are best served with a good amount of ketchup. The beginnings of the corn dog are hotly disputed, and possible places of origin include New York, Minnesota, Texas and Muscle Beach in California. They seem to have appeared sometime in the 1930s or 40s. Known as pogos in Canada. Read more »

These simple fritters from Santorini are a great way to use up garden tomatoes in late summer. The herbs add amazing flavor and highlight the fresh, late summer ingredients. Use only fresh tomatoes, not canned. Read more »

Empanadas are meat pies popular throughout the Latin world. They probably originated in Galicia in the northwest corner of Spain. Spanish settlers introduced empanadas to the New World, and they are a special favorite in Chile and Argentina. The variety of fillings for empanadas is endless and includes stewlike mixtures chicken, beef, ham and cheese, fish and seafood. Other fillings include spinach, peas, potatoes, pumpkin and beans. Read more »

Falafel is the original veggie burger and is a common dish throughout the Middle East. It is found in Lebanon, Syria, Israel, Egypt, and is especially popular with Palestinians. In Egypt it is known as tamiyah or taamiyah. Israelis sometimes call it the "national food of Israel." Read more »

As simple as it is satisfying, fish and chips is classic English street food. The first chip shop opened in London in the mid 19th century, and by the 1930s the shops were located in towns all over England. Fish and chips is classically served in a rolled up newspaper with a sprinkling of salt and a shake or two of malt vinegar. Read more »

Mussels are an affordable and delicious addition to any spread of Spanish tapas. Here is a great recipe for batter-fried mussels. Serve meijillones fritos with ice cold beer or a dry white wine. Read more »

Muchines de yuca are tasty cassava balls with a crunchy outside protecting a soft, savory filling. Serve as an appetizer or as a side dish topped with little ají hot pepper sauce. Read more »

Pakoras, savory fritters, are a very popular Indian chaat — snack or appetizer — especially in the North. The chickpea batter gives them a unique flavor, and their crispy crust encases all kinds of vegetables and sometimes chunks of meat. Pakoras are often bought from street vendors who serve them wrapped in a newpaper cone. Read more »

These scrumptious little sweet potato fritters are a popular snack on the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia. Mashed sweet potatoes are mixed with flour, egg and a touch of brown sugar, and spoonfuls of the mixture are dropped into hot oil. The lightly sweet, browned puffs are a perfect accompaniment to an Indonesian meal. Read more »

These banana fritters are very popular in Indonesia and are excellent served with ice cream and drizzled with honey. You can also serve them in a dish with a little coconut cream. Read more »

Plantain fritters are popular in many tropical cuisines. They are eaten throughout the Caribbean and are also popular in the Philippines. Read more »

Fried chicken is an American favorite, especially in the South. Pieces of chicken are dredged in seasoned flour and then fried to crispy perfection in a skillet of oil. Often the chicken is soaked first in buttermilk or a brine to make it extra juicy and flavorful. Southern fried chicken is perfect for picnics and celebrations. Fried chicken leftovers are even better cold the next day. Read more »

Sufganiyot (singular: sufganiyah) are jelly or cream-filled donuts that are a traditional favorite for Hanukkah, when foods fried in oil are customary. Originally enjoyed by East European Jews, these sweet treats are now wildly popular in Israel for during the 8-day festival. Many gourmet versions are available. Read more »

Tostones, twice-fried green plantains, are a favorite snack and side dish in Puerto Rico, Cuba and the Dominican Republic. Haitians call them bananes pesées, or banan peze. They are also eaten in Central America and throughout South America. In Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela they are known as patacones. Read more »

Ukoy is a simple and flavorful Filipino appetizer. These fritters have a pleasant golden color from the sweet potato and annatto. Ukoy is usually made with unpeeled shrimp and the peel is eaten. You can use peeled shrimp if you prefer. Also spelled okoy. Read more »