Chef Einat Admony Yemenite Fish Curry, Preserved Lemons, and Coconut

Step into the world of easy and efficient garment care with Rowenta's guide to using a steamer. Learn how to steam your clothes, the do's and don'ts, and tips for best results.

TYPE SALAD
SERVES 4 TO 6
DIFFICULTY MODERATE
PREP TIME 30 MINUTES
COOK TIME 15 MINUTES

Deep frying is an art that delivers the richness and crunch that most other cooking processes simply can't replicate. Some of the most comforting foods are the ones that are crispy and golden brown because they've been fried to perfection.

Our guide to deep frying explores what makes deep frying unique, why consumers think that the T-fal EZ Clean deep fryer is the best deep fryer, what features to look for as you evaluate deep fryer models, and more.

 

Benefits of Deep Frying Food with an Electric Deep Fryer

We know that countertop real estate is a hot commodity, and having a deep fryer as part of your appliance arsenal will prove to be worth it when you consider the benefits of consistent performance, convenience for use and cleaning, and overall cost efficiency.

Consistency

Electric deep fryers are engineered to be reliable. Unlike stovetop methods, deep fryers are designed to regulate temperature so you can achieve golden brown results every time you deep fry. This reliability is even true between batches. In the amount of time between adding new foods to fry, conventional stove-top frying is much more likely to experience oil temperature fluctuations; deep fryers have a much shorter recalibration time to regain optimal heat between batches. Again, this steady regulation of temperature ensures that each batch of food comes out almost uniform in taste and crispy texture. Keeping a steady temperature is also important for food safety, keeping food cooked thoroughly and evenly.

 

Convenience

While hardly "hands-off," there's a relative simplicity with electric deep fryers that makes the experience feel stress-free. There's no need to manually check or adjust temperatures, and as such, less risk of going past the ideal temperature which impacts both the oil and the food that is being fried.

Clean-up is also incredibly easy. The T-fal EZ Clean deep fryer says it right in its name. Plus, the see-through window is a great way to preview the final product.

 

Cost Efficiency

The cost of deep frying may include both the device itself and your oil of choice, however, it is far more cost-effective than using a stove-top method like a Dutch oven, which requires cookware, a thermometer for temperature regulation, and elbow grease to hand-wash as many enameled cast iron pots are not recommended for the dishwasher.

Essential Features That Make T-fal Deep Fryers Top-Rated

 

Temperature Control

When deep frying, precision is important. Even if you choose the right oil (high-smoke point, neutral-flavored oil is best for deep frying) and create the perfect batter, it all comes down to getting the perfect temperature setting. The T-fal EZ Clean deep fryer allows you to adjust the temperature of the oil between 300°F and 375°F to ensure optimal results.

The temperature controls make the deep fryer more reliable than stove-top deep frying because it helps regulate the heat, getting to the right level at the right time.

 

Safety Features and Automatic Shutoff

When working in and around the kitchen, safety is paramount. Our fryer features a secure locking lid, as well as an automatic shutoff for worry-free frying.

As an added precaution, our fryer features cool-touch handles, and a large viewing window to help you see the results along the way.

We recommend always making sure to unplug your deep fryer before removing parts for cleaning. It is important that you follow all packaging warnings and instructions for use and storage, and that you never leave an active, in-use deep fryer unattended.

As with any new purchase, make sure to register your deep fryer purchase. This can be especially helpful when you need customer service support, or if you want to keep up with the latest updates from the brand.

 

Oil Filtration Systems

We have revolutionized the cooking process of deep frying with our patented oil filtration system, which automatically filters and stores your oil for future use. This feature is enhanced by an odor filter to prevent any unwanted smells in your kitchen and helps make cleanup easy.

 

Basket Design and Capacity

Size matters with deep fryers. Our fan-favorite EZ Clean Deep Fryer comes in two size capacities: 1.8L and 3.5L. Whether you go for the small or large model, you'll find that the T-fal EZ Clean Deep Fryer helps make frying food for a crowd feel effortless.

If you're feeding a smaller family, the 1.8L deep fryer might be a better fit. It has a compact footprint that can still fry nearly two pounds of French Fries -- ideal for a family of four. It's a great choice for a countertop deep fryer.

For larger batches or bigger families, the larger deep fryer is our 3.5L model. It has a nearly 3-pound food capacity. Both size deep fryers deliver professional-quality results.

 

Easy Clean Features That Save Time

Oil Drainage Systems

Our oil filtration system stores oil in a separate compartment for future use to reduce waste and mess. This compartment is easy to remove for cleaning by hand or in the dishwasher.

Dishwasher-Safe Components

In addition to being easy to use while providing restaurant-quality results, the ease of cleaning helps make T-fal deep fryers even more special. The cooking basket, bowl, lid, and oil box are all dishwasher safe.

Stainless Steel Body

The T-fal EZ Clean deep fryer has a durable stainless steel construction that makes it strong, aesthetically pleasing, and also easy to clean. While only the removable parts are dishwasher safe, you can easily clean the body of the deep fryer with a dry towel when the device is unplugged and not in use.

What Deep Fryer Oil is Best

Not all oils are created equally, and that's especially true when it comes to deep frying. Many recipes will call for "vegetable oil" but this term is broad and can be confusing to people who are new to frying food.

First, we recommend checking the label on the oil, as some vegetable oils are blends that may contain allergens like soybeans, peanuts, etc. When picking an oil, you want something with a higher smoke point. Our deep fryers allow for temperatures between 300°F and 375°F. Experts suggest that you should choose an oil that has a smoke point around at least 50°F higher than this range.

Many deep fryer recipes call for temperatures around 350°F, which, by the formula above, gives wiggle room when picking plant-based oils, including avocado oil, grapeseed oil, canola oil.

Depending on how often you plan to deep fry your food, and the food that you're using, it's a good idea to go for something neutral in flavor (again, vegetable oil is popular and budget-friendly) vs. something more robust like extra virgin olive oil, which also has a much lower smoke point. Using an electric deep fryer vs. a pan allows you to have more precision when heating your oil, which means you can better plan for the best oil for your recipe. And again, our filtration system means that you'll get more than one use out of your oil of choice.

Safety Guidelines for Deep Frying

In addition to the safety features included when buying a deep fryer for home use, it's important to take a few extra steps to safeguard your setup.

 

How Long Can You Keep Oil in a Deep Fryer

If you do not have a deep fryer with automatic oil filtration and a compartment for storage oil for subsequent uses, be sure to filter it regularly. This is essential to extending the lifetime of your deep fryer. You'll also have to pay careful attention to the color, odor, and clarity of the oil to ensure it's safe for re-use.

 

Size for a Countertop Deep Fryer

Again, size matters. Depending on the quantity of food you plan to fry at a given time, it's important to avoid over-crowding the basket. This can cause inconsistent results, restrict air flow, and cause uneven cooking or undercooked items. It's a good idea to always have a food thermometer handy to check the internal temperature of fried foods, particularly if you're frying meats like chicken, beef, etc.

 

Avoid Turkey in the Deep Fryer

It's always a good idea to pat-dry your proteins before battering them and adding to a deep fryer. Any excess moisture will not only impact how the batter adheres to the food, but it could create a dangerous situation once it hits hot oil.

Proceed with caution when making a turkey in a deep fryer. You want to ensure that the entire bird has been thawed if you're cooking from frozen, pat the bird fully dry, and ensure your device is on a flat surface, away from any buildings or structures. We do not recommend using small, countertop deep fryers for this type of recipe. For fried chicken, potatoes, and other recipes, personal deep fryers can be a great option.

 

Frying Frozen Foods

Classic fried foods like chicken wings, french fries, onion rings and mozzarella sticks are readily available in the frozen food aisles at most grocery stores. While these items typically come with direction that focus on other heating methods, they're a great option for the deep fryer.

If you're frying food from frozen, there are a few precautions that you'll want to take to ensure safety.

 

Amount of Time

Frozen foods are typically already partially cooked, so the amount of time needed to cook them through to a safe eating temperature is often less than fresh, raw foods. It's always a good idea to have a meat thermometer handy to check the internal temperature.

 

Remove Excess Ice Crystals

Hot oil can be dangerous, even with the safety measures in place. Things like ice crystals on frozen food, which can build up even more if your food has been in the freezer for an extended period of time, or has been opened and exposed to air. Freezer burn can cause increased buildup of ice crystals which makes for a dangerous deep frying situation.

If you shake off or otherwise remove these ice crystals, you'll help minimize the risk of ice or water hitting hot oil, which can cause splatters.

 

Control the Temperature

The precision dial on the T-fal EZ Clean Deep Fryer comes in handy when it comes to setting and regulating the oil temperature, which is a huge part of successfully frying food. For deep frying frozen food, check the item's packaging to see if the manufacturer has specific instructions if using a deep fryer. Deep frying isn't something that uses especially high heat; the general guideline is to use a temperature of about 350°F when deep frying.

 

Watch for Visual Cues

Use the window on your deep fryer to delight in the process, and to watch for clear cues that your food is ready. Deep frying is all about that golden brown color that signals a crispy, crunchy bite in your future.

 

T-fal Deep Fryer Reviews

From cooking to cleaning, consumers continue to rate the T-fal EZ Clean deep fryers as the best.

Consumers appreciate the cost-saving efficiency and no-mess benefit of our oil filtration system.

 

"This fryer has saved me a lot of oil over the 2 years it's been used." - September 2024

"I’ve had this unit for about 6 months now and I use it once or twice a week. It’s one of the best tools in my kitchen. The oil filtration and management system is so clever, it’s a breeze to clean up, it stores the oil, there’s no smell and it’s so easy to manage." - May 2024

"By taking the mess and tedium out of the cleanup T-Fal have make deep frying enjoyable again." - January 2024

"I've had my EZ Fry for a about half a year now and I love it. I don't deep fry that often, so I like to keep it stored in my cabinet. This one makes it so easy to clean and filter the oil, and then easily store the oil with the deep fryer together after use. I used to hate frying because of all of the set-up and clean-up work, but this changed the game for me." - August 2023

 

Other consumers enjoyed the ability to control the type of oil used in the deep fryer.

"I've always disliked deep fryers because they waste so much oil and so hard to clean. Then I saw this one at my daughter's house. As soon as she told me how it worked, I wanted one. I ordered immediately and have been extremely satisfied ever since. "Where have you been all of my life?" It makes deep frying so easy, clean up so easy, saving, storing and reusing my expensive oils so easy. I can deep fry my foods without using the bad seed oils as restaurants do, and for that reason I feel like my food is healthier and cleaner."

For some, the T-fal EZ Clean Deep Fryer has become a go-to gift.

"I purchased mine 12 years ago. It still works perfectly. I only fry 4 or 5 times a year but usually for events and often outside. I have since bought this for others as wedding and anniversary gifts." - January 2024

The compact size was hit for deep-frying foodies with smaller kitchens.

"Super easy clean and works great!! the design is cute and perfect fit for a small kitchen." - August 2023

 

 

Deep Fryer Recipes

Deep fried food is always in season. Part of the fun of deep frying is in developing depth of flavor from the perfect balance of seasonings in the batter or on the food itself, oil, and any other accompanying ingredients that won't go into the fryer. A great sauce, a strong squeeze of citrus, or crisp cruciferous accouterments like cabbage slaw can take a perfect fried protein to the next level.

Our favorite fish taco recipe uses a deep fryer to get the cod fillet golden brown, cooked to perfection, making the cooking process a breeze. Everything else in the recipe comes together in the amount of time the oil heats and the fish fries. This recipe is the ultimate in no-fuss instructions, and the deep fryer makes it better with no mess.

Fish Tacos

  • 2 cups cabbage (purple and green)
  • 1/4 cup mayo
  • 1/4 cup Mexican cream
  • 2 Tbsp cilantro
  • Cod fillets (coat in fish-fry seasoning)
  • Corn tortillas

Heat your oil to 375°. While it's heating, combine your slaw ingredients (cabbage, mayo, cilantro, Mexican cream) in a clean bowl and set aside. Fry cod fillets for 3-5 minutes, until an internal temperature of 145°F.

Toast corn tortillas on a nonstick skillet. Assemble tacos by placing fried cod and slaw inside the toasted tortillas. Garnish with cilantro and lime, and serve with pico de gallo or salsa verde.

Where Can I Buy a T-fal EZ Clean Deep Fryer

You can buy a T-fal EZ Clean Deep Fryer right here on T-fal.com. The product page will show you the different key features, including additional customer reviews, product imagery, and more.