Deep Fried Main Dishes

Fried chicken. Fish Tacos. Corn dogs. Finger Steaks. When you're in the mood for crispy fried food, these 5-star recipes do it right.

overhead view of golden fried chicken pieces on white plate

Classic Spicy Southern Fried Chicken

Jeannie's Kickin' Fried Fish

How to Deep Fry Fish

close up image of battered and fried fish with fries and two sauces, and lemon wedges on the side

Unbelievable Fish Batter

white tray of perfectly fried chicken

Dooky Chase-Style Fried Chicken

mid angle, looking into a plate of general tso's chicken garnished with green onions and red peppers

General Tso's Chicken

French Fries

How to Deep-Fry Food Without Making a Hot Mess

Southern Fried Catfish

platter of golden fried shrimp with cocktail sauce and lemon wedges

Perfect Fried Shrimp

A platter of beef empanadas on a wood surface

Empanadas (Beef Turnovers)

a straight on view of a golden brown turkey on a white oval platter dressed with fresh herbs and sliced lemons

Simple Deep Fried Turkey

A plate of sweet and sour pork served with a small bowl of white rice

Sweet and Sour Pork

a bunch of buttermilk fried chicken served on a white plate

Chef John's Buttermilk Fried Chicken

four corn dogs on a white plate with ramekins of mustard and ketchup in the background

Homemade Corn Dogs

Close up on a plate of the best chicken fried steak, topped with gravy.

The Best Chicken Fried Steak

A blue tray with fried chicken and a small cup of dipping sauce

Triple-Dipped Fried Chicken

close up view of Zucchini Spaghetti garnished with fresh basil and grated cheese in a white bowl

That Zucchini Spaghetti Stanley Tucci Loves (Spaghetti alla Nerano)

A deep fried turkey on a platter with fresh parsley

Deep-Fried Turkey

Classic Fish and Chips

A plate of crunch fried shrimp served with a small bowl of dipping sauce

Crunchy Fried Shrimp

A platter of southern fried chicken livers served with dipping sauce

Southern Fried Chicken Livers

A bowl of honey walnut shrimp served over white rice and garnished with sliced green onions

Honey Walnut Shrimp

overhead view looking down at Nashville hot chicken and pickle slices on top of bread and served on a plate

Chef John's Nashville Hot Chicken

high angle looking at a plate of golden brown, crispy fried chicken

Crispy Fried Chicken

A plate of Japanese-style deep fried shrimp served with a small bowl of dipping sauce

Japanese-Style Deep-Fried Shrimp

A tray of beer battered fish served with tartar sauce and lemon wedges

Beer Batter Fish Made Great

Best City Chicken

high angle looking down at two fish tacos garnished with lime wedges

Best Fried Walleye

close up on a plate of golden-brown and crispy fried venison backstrap

Fried Venison Backstrap

Fried Mac and Cheese Balls

looking at a few golden-brown southern-style buttermilk fried chicken on a plate

Southern-Style Buttermilk Fried Chicken

Deep-Fried Tilapia

close up view of Fried Catfish Nuggets on a baking sheet

Fried Catfish Nuggets

A plate of stacked chicken nuggets, served with a small dish of ketchup

The Best Ever Chicken Nuggets

looking down at a plate full of easy skinless golden-brown fried chicken thighs

Easy Skinless Fried Chicken Thighs

Popcorn Chicken

Light and Crispy Fried Halibut

close up view of Southern Spicy Fried Chicken strips on a plate with waffles

Southern Spicy Fried Chicken

looking down at a plate full of sesame chicken with a side of rice

Perfect Sesame Chicken

Fried Frog's Legs

Millie Pasquinelli's Fried Chicken

Mustard Fried Chicken

Beer Battered Chicken

Close up on a plate of golden-brown, crispy Lechon Kawali.

Filipino Lechon Kawali

Close up on a plate of golden-brown, crispy shrimp tempura.

Crispy Shrimp Tempura

close up on a bowl of Korean fried chicken, garnished with green onions.

Korean Fried Chicken

close up on a traditional Indiana breaded tenderloin sandwich

Traditional Indiana Breaded Tenderloin Sandwich

close up view of a Scotch Egg sliced in half, with white sauce

Chef John's Scotch Eggs

a plate of golden fried chicken

Southern Fried Chicken

Cajun Deep-Fried Turkey

A plate of crispy fried fish served with a small bowl of tartar sauce and lemon wedges

Crispy Fried Fish

Easy Fried Scallops

Fried Soft-Shell Crab

Gourmet Pastelillos (Meat Pies)

Shrimp Po' Boys in baskets with checkered paper

Shrimp Po' Boys

close up view of a Ta'ameya (Egyptian Falafel) sandwich with tomatoes, onions and lettuce on a white plate

Ta'ameya (Egyptian Falafel)

close up view of Mochiko Chicken on a cooling rack

Mochiko Chicken

looking down at a plate of chiles rellenos with a side of Spanish rice

Chiles Rellenos (Stuffed Peppers)

Ashley's Chicken Katsu with Tonkatsu Sauce

close up view of Fry Bread Tacos garnished with lettuce, tomatoes and cheese on a plate

Favorite Fry Bread Tacos