30 Fried Foods You Need To Try Before You Die

Let's be honest here: fried foods don't have the healthiest reputation. But sometimes, that's ok. Because you know what? Adulting is hard, and there's days when you deserve something super-special, not-so-healthy, and definitely delicious just for getting through it all.

And if you happen to have a small, counter-size deep fryer, you're most of the way there already. It's one of those kitchen gadgets most of us get with the best of intentions, then shove into storage somewhere. And that's a shame! It's great for much more than just a handful of fries or some spring rolls, and the great thing about some of the best fried foods out there is that you can make them right at home. 

Don't have a little deep fryer? You might want to get one after taking a look through these delicious dishes, and if you're not quite sold yet, you can use a deep pan filled with oil to achieve basically the same thing. (But carefully!) Of course, you can also pick most of these goodies up at fairs, street carts, and restaurants — if you look hard enough.

Whether you're talking about battering and frying something you'd never thought about trying before, or whipping up a whole new dish that hails from half a world away, here are the fried foods you need to try before you die.

If you've had churros, there's a good chance that what you tried were those pre-made, frozen ones. You might have even tried  them at Costco. That's absolutely not what we're talking about here, because when you make them from scratch (or try them made fresh at an authentic restaurant) they're so much better, they taste like an entirely different thing — and that's something you need to try!

They're just the right combination of crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, and who doesn't love the combo of cinnamon and sugar? They're particularly perfect if you're looking for something light and tasty to serve after dinner, at the point where everyone's sitting around with a cup of coffee, some tea, or an after-dinner drink. No one's really hungry any more, but you'd love dessert... that's when you need to try a churro.

Brussels sprouts are one of those things that we all know we should eat more of, but... ugh. They're Brussels sprouts! There's good news, though: you can absolutely deep fry them and make them into a side you actually want to finish.

You don't even have to batter them; just clean them up and throw them in the oil. (Carefully!) Keep those loose leaves on the outside, and they'll turn into some delicious crispiness. Sprinkle on some Parmesan, or whip up a quick, spicy sort of sauce for dipping, and you'll find even the biggest sprout-hater will be singing a different tune. Even better? Add some bacon, because everything's better with bacon!

Everyone's had a donut, sure, but a beignet isn't your regular donut. There are actually two different types of beignet — the French kind, which is made with a choux pastry (similar to an eclair or cream puff), while the popular, New Orleans-style is made with a typical yeast-based dough that has more liquids than a donut dough. That extra liquid means it has more air pockets inside when it's fried, and the final result is like biting into a soft square of pillowy goodness.

And you absolutely need to try a New Orleans-style beignet, because they're not just a brilliant breakfast, they're brilliant any time of the day — particularly with a cup of coffee. Where a donut tends to be dense, these are flaky, light, and if angels drink anything with their coffee, it's definitely these. 

They're usually covered with a healthy coat of powdered sugar, so bring a napkin... and plan on eating more than one.

The idea of fried green tomatoes is one that's been around forever. It sounds like something fancy southern ladies would serve at picnics, and there's a good reason for that — they absolutely are a southern classic. If you're anywhere outside of the American south, though, they sound a little weird and there's a good chance you've just never had the chance to try these. If you can find a comfort food restaurant that serves them up, put in an order pronto. But if you can't, just make them yourself — they're easy, and they're absolutely a fried food you need to try before you die. 

They're often made with green, not-yet-rip tomatoes, and that slightly sour taste pairs extremely well with the crunchy, fried coating.

If you've seen these before, it was probably at fairs, carnivals, and Christmas markets. They're traditional Scandinavian cookies, originally served around Christmas-time, and they're delicate, deep-fried creations that look more like something you'd hang on the tree rather than eat. You probably gave them a miss in favor of something a little... less plain-looking? But you absolutely shouldn't — they're as delicious as they are delicate. Everyone should try them at least once.

And you can definitely make them at home, with the help of a special rosette iron that gets heated, half-coated in batter, then fried on the iron. If you want to spend a lazy afternoon making cookies one at a time, dusting them with sugar, and sharing something extra-special at dessert? These are your cookies.

Who doesn't love mac and cheese? If you thought it was good on its own, you'll really love all that cheesy, gooey pasta once it's been deep-fried.

And if you can't find it on a menu near you, you can always fry it up at home. In fact, it's a great use for leftover mac and cheese. Take it out of the fridge (so it's nice and firm), and use an ice cream scoop to form it into balls. Add some batter or breading, then toss your mac and cheese balls in the deep fryer.

It really is that easy, and instead of that leftover mac and cheese with the questionable texture, you'll have delicious, deep-fried nuggets of cheesy goodness. No more worry about re-hydrating mac and cheese, and no more waste. It's a win all around!

Anyone who's ever seen a clip from Hell's Kitchen knows that risotto is a big deal. It's challenging to make, and once you'd had it, there's another challenge: what to do with the leftovers, because let's be honest, there's only so much risotto a family can eat. That's where arancini comes in. 

Arancini is a traditional Sicilian dish that likely came first from the Arabian world. It's delicious — and it's something everyone should taste at least once, whether you make it yourself or order at at your favorite Italian restaurant. 

It's essentially leftover risotto, shaped into balls, then deep-fried. There are also fillers added for extra flavor, and there's no right or wrong way to fill them. Pack your risotto around some cheese or ham, add some spices... it's not just a great way to use up the risotto, but other leftovers, too. Toss them in some batter, fry them up, and you've got a super creative meal with no waste.

Salads can get kind of boring — even the fun ones like Caprese salads. But if you could mix that tired salad with something a little more exciting, like, say, mozzarella sticks... that would be pretty amazing, right? If you agree, then deep-fried Caprese is a food you definitely need to try before you die. It's got all the workings of a Caprese salad, but deep fried. And you know that makes every salad taste better. 

It's even pretty easy to make this one yourself, if you like. Just scoop the innards out of small tomatoes, fill with mozzarella cheese, cover them in batter, and fry.

They're close to the perfect single bite, especially if they're served with a balsamic-based dipping sauce. They'll take a little time to make, sure, but two or three per person is plenty for an appetizer, and they'll definitely become a much-discussed favorite.

Nigella Lawson says that struffoli is traditionally made in Italy around Christmas, but there's no reason this can't be enjoyed at any time of the year. It's essentially marble-sized dough balls, carefully rolled, deep-fried, covered in honey, then arranged in a cone or wreath form. They're great for parties or setting out on the table when you know you're having people over and they're going to want to nibble. But more than that, they're great for making when you have help.

Rolling out the tiny dough balls of struffoli takes a long time and a lot of work, but if you have kids that want to help, that's perfect. It's time-consuming but not difficult, and the brilliant part of this one is the experience of making it. An afternoon making struffoli with your loved ones are the afternoons that make memories, and those memories will be treasured for a lifetime.

Legumes are a great thing to add to your diet, but if you're sick of the same old, how about some banh ran?

In their most traditional form, they're rice flour balls filled with red bean paste, flavored with jasmine flower essence, covered in sesame seeds, and deep-fried. They're incredibly popular in Vietnam, and while they take a little time and effort to make, every bite makes it worth every moment of prep time. 

Bonus? Those sesame seeds some with a ton of health benefits, too — as if you needed more of a reason to whip up a batch of these to munch on during your next movie night, instead of that boring old popcorn.

Deep-fried pizza sounds like something worthy of the ultimate cringe factor, a trendy new idea that someone came up with after a few too many pints. But according to Giuseppe Mascoli, a pizza chef in London who was inspired by traditional Naples recipes, they've been deep-frying pizza for generations... because it's amazing.

It isn't exactly what you think, and it's not throwing a whole pizza into a deep fryer. They essentially make the dough, shape it, then fry it in a pan. Top with pizza toppings (traditionally hot sauce, basil, and cheese), and serve. And that just sounds insanely good, doesn't it? The deep-frying method gives you a pizza crust that's light, chewy, and infused with the flavor of whatever oil you're using. Opt for olive oil, don't go overboard on the toppings, and you can absolutely enjoy a deep-fried pizza like generations of Italian families have.

Zeppole are basically traditional Italian donuts, but they are so much more than that, too. They're often made to celebrate St. Joseph's Day, which also happens to be Father's Day in Italy. (That's March 19, if you're keeping track.) They're traditionally made with a yeast-based dough that can be shaped into a ball or into a fritter, and that's where the fun starts.

They're not just plain or powdered sugar donuts, they're traditionally filled with custard, a pastry cream, or candied fruit... then sprinkled with powdered sugar! Of course, if you're making them at home, there's no limit to the sweetness you can add. Cherries, chocolate chips, whipped cream, sweet ricotta... those are all completely acceptable when it comes to bringing a little bit of Italy into your kitchen — and that's why you need to give them a try. If you say you love Italian food, you should also be able to say you've tried these very traditional treats.

So what on earth is a spice bag? That's best explained by starting with where you get the original, and that's at a chip shop or Chinese takeaway in Ireland, usually after a night out at the pubs. It's pretty delicious even if you're not half in the bag yourself, but if you have some friends over for some drinks, this is pretty much the perfect thing to serve them.

Different variations exist, but basically it's some deep-fried chicken, french fries, and sliced chilis and onions (also fried), that are dumped in a paper bag or box, then covered with and tossed in a spice mix. That mix varies, too, and most places won't share what's in theirs — but usually it's at least vaguely inspired by Chinese flavors, and includes things like five spice, curry powder, garlic powder, chili powders, and lots of salt. It's pretty much the perfect thing to hit the spot after a pint or five of Guinness, and there's a reason it's Ireland's favorite fast food item — it's amazing.

Yes, that translates to "fried milk," but hold on, hear us out. It's a bit deceptive, as this traditional Spanish dessert is more accurately described as milk thickened with cornstarch, flour, and sugar, then heated with spices (usually cinnamon). It's then chilled overnight, sliced, battered, and deep-fried. As a Spanish dessert, it's often made with regular, dairy-based milk, but there's also a Chinese version that uses coconut milk instead.

It's sweetly unique, and it's one of those things you'll just need to try to be able to describe. Some like it cold, some like it hot, some like it with coffee and some with ice cream: it's versatile, and super strange, and what's better than the look on a guest's face when you say you're serving up some fried milk for dessert?

When you're talking pie and you're looking for something different, pecan pie is already up there. It's full of nutty, brown sugar-y, caramel-y goodness, and it's the pie to make when you're looking for something that's not your traditionally fruity dessert. If you love it, though, you need to go just one step further and deep-fry it.

The easiest way to do this is when you're making your pie recipe, don't make it in a pie plate — make it inside little folded hand pies, and then deep-fry away. The crunch is next-level, and there is something ridiculously tasty about the deep, earthy, nutty flavor deep-frying brings out. Serve them warm with some powdered sugar sprinkled on the top, and you'll seriously never have a pecan pie any other way. Even better? Add it to your Thanksgiving rotation for a totally unique pie that'll stand out on a table of same-old.