39 Delicious Fried Food You Need To Try Before You Die 

If you’ve ever been to a county fair, there’s a good chance you’ve seen churros for sale.

This crispy breakfast pastry originates from Spain, but it’s quite popular around the world.

Churros are deep-fried dough coated with a dusting of cinnamon sugar. They pair well with hot cocoa, coffee, and even chocolate sauce.

The Scotch egg is a boiled egg coated in sausage and bread crumbs. It has a meaty, savory taste.

This fried food is a common part of British picnics.

So if you’d like to contribute something tasty to your next potluck, consider whipping up some Scotch eggs!

Arancini, which are deep-fried rice balls with a meaty or cheesy filling, originate from Sicily.

They’re a super hearty and filling food that I recommend enjoying on an empty stomach.

Arancini can make excellent appetizers for an Italian dinner.

They taste delicious with a side of marinara or alfredo sauce, too.

Falafels are a fried chickpea fritter originating from the Middle East.

They’re very popular among vegetarians, but plenty of meat-eaters enjoy them as well.

These fritters taste a bit like chickpeas and have a somewhat meaty taste as well.

They can make tasty additions to salads or wraps!

Fried green tomatoes are a popular summertime food in the Southern United States.

This dish turns unripened tomatoes into a delicious fried snack with a crispy, breaded coating.

Fried green tomatoes have a tangy, savory taste. They taste best with a dipping sauce such as remoulade or ranch dressing.

Check out other Southern dishes we love!

If you’re in the mood for something sweet, Leche Frita might be perfect for you.

This Spanish dessert uses fried flour and milk to create a unique dessert with a creamy texture.

You can top Leche Frita with cinnamon sugar, caramel sauce, or chocolate. It’s tasty, both warm and cold!

This French pastry consists of fried dough similar to a doughnut and a topping of confectioner’s sugar.

It’s very popular in New Orleans and Italy, too.

Consider serving your beignets with fried plantains, bananas, or raspberries on top.

They can make a super yummy dessert or breakfast for someone with a sweet tooth.

Not sure what to do with your plantains? Consider making some tostones!

These twice-fried plantains are a common treat in Latin American and Caribbean homes.

This savory fried food can make an excellent side dish or mid-day snack.

If you’d like, you can dip your tostones in some sour cream or mayonnaise.

Fish and chips are one of the most iconic dinners originating from Great Britain.

Fried cod and crispy potatoes make this a truly satisfying meal.

It’s common to enjoy fried fish and chips with a side of tartar sauce and a drizzle of lemon juice, which compliment the salty, fishy flavor of this dish!

Pakora originates from India and is very popular throughout South Asia.

It’s a fried vegetable fritter usually containing peas, potatoes, and onions.

This crispy, savory street food is a perfect snack for vegetarians.

Pakora can also make a tasty side dish for an Indian meal.

Tempura is a Japanese food consisting of fried shrimp and vegetables.

It has a light, crispy batter coating and a savory taste, and it pairs well with soy sauce or chili mayo.

Many people enjoy tempura as an appetizer or main course.

However, you can also add tempura to other dishes such as ramen, udon, and sushi.

Despite their name, nobody is quite certain where french fries originate.

Some believe they originate from Paris, while others believe they came from Belgium!

Regardless of their origin, these salty fried potatoes are incredibly popular around the world.

Many enjoy them as a savory snack or as a side dish for hamburgers and hot dogs.

Rosettes are a staple of Scandinavian Christmas celebrations.

These fried, flower-shaped cookies have a sweet and oily taste similar to funnel cakes.

You can top your rosettes with some powdered sugar to add a little sweetness and make them look even more festive.

Consider adding some rosettes to your Christmas cookie tray this year!

If you’re a fan of french fries, you’ll want to give poutine a try as well!

This dish originates from Quebec and consists of french fries topped with gravy and cheese curds.

You can enjoy poutine as a side dish or a main course for dinner. It’s perfect for when you’re craving something salty and cheesy.

When you want something light and crispy, mandazi may be what you’re craving.

This fried bread is a very popular snack along the coast of Western Africa.

A tiny pinch of cinnamon and a drizzle of caramel sauce makes mandazi a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Check out other famous African foods to try!

Fried chicken is a very popular comfort food throughout the United States.

It has a crispy buttermilk breaded coating and tastes delicious, dipped in honey mustard or hot sauce.

Fried chicken can make a super satisfying main course for your next dinner.

It goes well with mashed potatoes, french fries, or macaroni and cheese!

You’ve probably had macaroni and cheese before, but have you ever had fried mac and cheese?

This fried food provides a fun twist on a Southern classic.

Anyone craving something cheesy and savory may want to give deep-fried mac and cheese a try.

It can make a yummy snack or side dish for a larger meal.

If you enjoy classic fried chicken, you may enjoy chicken wings just as much.

Chicken wings coated in a crispy-fried batter and dipped in your favorite sauces are pretty hard to beat.

Wings are perfect for parties or game nights. They can also make tasty sides for pizzas or sub sandwiches.

Originating from Arkansas, fried pickles are a tangy and savory treat worth a try.

You can often get them at county fairs or diners across the US!

Fried pickles have a crispy battered outside and a soft, juicy inside.

You can eat them as a snack by dipping them in ranch or ketchup. Or, you could use them as a topping for a sandwich!

Check out different types of pickles you can try deep frying.

Pizza lovers will enjoy this unique Scottish food!

Deep-fried pizza consists of a pizza slice coated in batter and cooked in hot oil. It’s crispy, greasy, and super cheesy.

You can often find deep-fried pizza at chip shops in Scotland.

It’s common to drizzle this dinner food with some salt and vinegar and enjoy it with a side of french fries.

If you’re a fan of Caprese salad or sandwiches, try this deep-fried twist!

This tasty Italian food has mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, and basil coated in a fried batter.

For the best experience, I recommend topping your deep-fried Caprese with some balsamic vinegar.

It can make an excellent appetizer or a side dish for a larger meal!

Have you ever tried eating cacti? There are many ways to serve it, and deep-fried is one of the tastiest options you can get.

This dish originates from the Southwest United States.

This fried food consists of prickly pear cactus and a coating of fried batter.

The cactus itself has a similar taste to green beans, so if you like fried green beans, you’ll probably enjoy cactus fries.

Want to try something a little different at your next holiday dinner? You may want to try a deep-fried turkey!

It’s just like the turkey dinner you already know, but with a crispy, flavorful batter coating.

This delicious recipe originates from Louisiana, USA.

You can serve it the same way you would a normal turkey at Thanksgiving dinner —pair it with some gravy, mashed potatoes, and vegetables.

Onion rings are a classic appetizer and side dish in the US.

They’re rings of onion coated in batter and deep-fried until crunchy.

This fried food has a savory, oniony taste. It pairs well with some mayonnaise or ranch dressing.

It can make a great side dish for a hamburger or some fried fish, too!

Fried calamari consists of squid meat coated in deep-fried batter.

It’s a popular dish in regions by the ocean, especially in the Mediterranean.

Fried calamari has a juicy, meaty texture and a savory taste that’s similar to chicken.

Overall, it’s one of the best fried foods for seafood enthusiasts!

If you’re a fan of cornbread, you’ll probably love hush puppies!

These fried bits of cornmeal taste just like cornbread, but with a crispier texture.

It’s common to enjoy hush puppies at barbecues or fish fries.

This American classic works great as a side dish for some fried cod or barbecue ribs. You can dip them in mayo sriracha or drizzle them with honey.

Fried clams are a must-have for all seafood lovers.

These chunks of clam meat coated in fried batter originate from New England.

Fried clams have a sweet, savory, and slightly bitter taste.

They can make a delicious appetizer or main course for a seafood dinner! Consider serving them with some onion rings or french fries.

If you’re craving something crispy and full of veggies, give fried spring rolls a shot!

This Chinese creation makes a great side dish for noodles, chicken, or sauteed vegetables. 

Fried spring rolls have a salty, savory taste with a combination of vegetable flavors as well.

They pair well with peanut sauce or sweet chili sauce.

Croquettes likely originate from France, but there are many variants throughout Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean.

These dumplings consist of potatoes, meat, cheese, bechamel sauce, and a crispy-fried coating.

Croquettes can make a delicious appetizer or main course for dinner.

Their meaty, cheesy, and savory taste is pretty hard to beat.

Empanadas are a deep-fried handheld meat pie originating from Spain.

Some variants include beans or vegetables, making them suitable for vegetarians as well.

The crispy and savory taste of empanadas pairs well with some salsa or sour cream.

They’re easy to eat by hand, so they’re perfect for parties or potlucks!

The Chiko Roll is similar to the Chinese spring roll.

It has a crispy pastry shell and a filling of beef and vegetables.

Chiko Rolls are a popular street food in Australia. But if you don’t live in Australia, you can still enjoy this savory, meaty snack by making it from scratch.

Banh cam is a deep-fried rice ball from southern Vietnam.

It can have a filling of sweetened mung bean, pork, or vegetables. The outer shell has a coating of sesame seeds as well. 

This fried food has a savory, starchy taste and a crispy texture.

It’s common to enjoy banh cam as a light snack, usually with a cup of tea.

Fried dim sum is a Chinese deep-fried dumpling consisting of glutinous rice and a filling of pork and vegetables.

The texture is typically chewy, but when you deep-fry it, it becomes crispy as well.

The taste of fried dim sum is a mixture of sweet and savory. It’s typically a dinner dish or an appetizer.

Fried dim sum is perfect for anyone who enjoys Chinese cuisine!

If you love fried chicken and you haven't tried Korean fried chicken yet, you are missing out.

Korean fried chicken is extra crispy, and it's usually double fried. It's not as heavily battered as American fried chicken, but has a thinner, crispy skin that is to die for.

This recipe uses either potato starch or corn starch for the batter, which is what helps crisp up the skin so well in the hot oil. You can also make the sauce with gochujang for some spicy fried chicken!

I love a good bag of crunchy potato chips, but have you ever tried homemade potato chips? They're even better.

I remember getting served house made potato chips at a restaurant and realizing what a difference it makes to enjoy fresh fried potato chips as opposed to packaged ones.

Don't be afraid to deep fry your own potato chips at home with this simple recipe - it's well worth it!

There are versions of fry bread around the world, as different cultures all fry dough in different ways. One of the best fry breads is Native American, and this Najavo recipe is a great example.

This fry bread is essentially just a simple, non-yeasted dough that you deep fry to create a crispy exterior and fluffy inside.

You can enjoy fry bread with sweet toppings, like cinnamon sugar, or use them as a vehicle for meals like tacos or dips.

Chicken fried steak is a Southern dish, and if you've never had it before it's worth a try.

This recipe is for a steak that is battered and fried with the same ingredients and methods as fried chicken. The result is a crispy battered steak that is tender on the inside.

Chicken fried steak is not to be confused with country fried steak, which is similar but not quite as crispy and served with different toppings.

While many people enjoy their oysters raw on the half shell, fried oysters is a treat that shouldn't be overlooked.

With fried oysters, you can still enjoy salty, silky oyster flavor encased in a crispy fried outside. This deep fried food is still a delicacy if you ask me!

This recipe uses a cornmeal batter for the perfect crispy shell around your oysters. I prefer mine with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Fried fish tacos is one of my favorite meals. If I'm at a Mexican restaurant and there's a fried fish taco, you can bet I'm going to order it.

These fried fish tacos use a beer battered fish fried in vegetable oil, but I've also enjoyed fish with crushed corn flakes for an extra crunchy batter.

Pair these fish tacos with a spicy sauce, a crema, or sour cream along with other taco toppings. I like to add some spicy slaw to the mix for extra crunch!