In the United States, fried food isn’t just a meal—it’s practically a lifestyle. This deep-rooted fried food culture is evident in the fact that, according to Meals to Die For, a book by former Texas prison cook Brian D. Price, nearly 70% of death row inmates request fried food as their last meal. And among those, fried chicken leads the pack.
America’s Deep-Fried Obsession
From TV shows like The Simpsons to Reddit jokes, fried food has become shorthand for “authentic” American cuisine. One Reddit user joked, “If you can destroy the original flavor by breading and frying it, Americans will eat it.”
While frying has roots in global cuisines, modern deep-frying—and even the term “deep fry”—emerged only in the 19th century. Europe is often credited as its birthplace, with Britain and later the U.S. perfecting the style.
The Birth of Fish and Chips
In 1860, Joseph Malin opened the first fish and chips shop in London. This greasy combo became the “national dish” of Britain—and the punchline of countless cooking jokes online.
Meanwhile, the U.S. took frying to a whole new level.
Southern Roots and Industrial Boost
Frying gained popularity in America’s South, where hot, humid weather made baking impractical. Post-Civil War poverty also led to frying cheap cuts like chicken legs and pig ears. Deep-frying could transform tough, unappetizing meats into crispy, crave-worthy comfort food—much like the logic behind Chinese hot pot.
As the U.S. industrialized, fast, efficient cooking methods became essential. Fried food checked all the boxes: quick, affordable, and flavorful. It was the ultimate working-class cuisine.
From Cafeterias to Carnivals
Unlike Britain’s one-hit wonder (fish and chips), the U.S. created an entire fried food universe. There’s even a California snack shack named Heart Attack Cafe, where nurses serve deep-fried everything under cholesterol warning signs.
Think it can’t get weirder? Google “deep-fried + [anything]” and you’ll likely find an American recipe. Lamb testicles? Check. Snickers bars? Definitely. High-end diners even use deep-fried Snickers to test authenticity.
When Food Meets Absurdity
From deep-fried apples and strawberries to watermelon and pineapple, Americans have tried it all. The results? A greasy crunch followed by sudden sweetness—a plot twist for your palate.
And it doesn’t stop with fruit.
Fried pizza? Check. Fried hamburger? Absolutely.
Sugar Joins the Party
Frying and sugar are co-pilots in American desserts. The U.S., with only 300 million people, consumes nearly as much sugar as China’s 1.3 billion. But instead of competing, sugar and frying collaborate.
Ice cream, birthday cake, even chewing gum—yes, they’ve all been deep-fried.
The Peak of Fried Absurdity
Fried beer? It exists. So does deep-fried tequila, Coke, and even tap water. The texture? Crispy shells that burst into surprising liquids.
There’s even deep-fried Bloody Mary spheres.
Fried Food as Political Metaphor
During the Great Depression, critics of President Franklin D. Roosevelt mocked his economic policies with headlines like “President Eats Fried Capitalists for Breakfast.”
In America, frying isn’t just a cooking method—it’s satire, tradition, identity, and indulgence. A crunchy, golden symbol of the American way.
