In the past, fried food could only be found in fast-food drive-thrus, and it usually came in the form of french fries or onion rings; but in 2022, the deep fryer is putting in overtime. Creative fried fare like fried pickles, fried ravioli, and deep-fried Oreos are now ogled by hungry Americans at state fairs and food truck rodeos across the country.
But which novelty fried foods are Americans most curious to try? We turned to Google Trends to find out, analyzing the search volume of 70 popular fried food items (both savory and sweet) to uncover which fried foods residents in each state are drooling over most!
Using Google Trends, Shane Co. analyzed the search volume of 70 state fair-style fried foods over the past 12 months to determine the most searched fried food in each state and nationwide. Referencing Food Network, Southern Living, and Taste of Home, our list of search terms included 48 popular savory fried foods and 22 popular sweet fried foods.
Some common examples of fried foods include:French fries.Fried chicken.Onion rings.Fried fish or seafood.Chicken nuggets or tenders.Spring rolls or egg rolls.Samosas or pakoras.Donuts or fritters.
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French fries.
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Fried chicken.
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Onion rings.
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Fried fish or seafood.
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Chicken nuggets or tenders.
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Spring rolls or egg rolls.
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Samosas or pakoras.
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Donuts or fritters.
Every State’s Favorite Sweet Fried Food
Think of your favorite desserts like ice cream, cheesecake, donuts, and pies. Is your mouth watering yet? Now, imagine throwing them into a deep fryer! It’s a dangerously delicious combination.
Have you ever heard of a cronut? We haven’t either, but it’s the top-searched fried food in three states! A cronut is a flaky, buttery, croissant-donut hybrid with a delicious glaze, invented in 2013 at Ansel’s bakery in New York. Cronuts are not only New York’s most popular fried food, but they have also gained fame in Arkansas and Colorado, according to Google searches.
Washington D.C.’s most popular sweet fried food is latkes — a traditional Jewish potato pancake typically enjoyed around Hanukkah and best served with apple jam or creme fraiche. Several popular restaurants in our nation’s capital offer latkes as a must-try dish, including Call Your Mother Deli and Buffalo & Bergen.
Come fall, Americans agree that apples are best when they’re fried. Apple fritters are a popular Northern dessert, most searched in five states — Maine, Michigan, Montana, Oregon, and Vermont. What’s more, fried apple pie is the apple dish of the South, most searched in three Southern states — Alabama, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
Every State’s Favorite Savory Fried Food
A state or county fair is the perfect time to indulge in that savory, greasy crunch of fried food. From seafood and meat to vegetables and cheese, there aren’t many food groups Americans won’t fry!
In some regions, different types of fried seafood are what Americans are Googling most. Fried calamari, most searched in Connecticut and Rhode Island, is one of America’s favorite bar appetizers, while fried cod lands on top in Kentucky. The South is notorious for frying its seafood, so it’s no surprise that fried catfish is searched most in the deep Southern states of Louisiana and Mississippi.
Other local foods that are most popular in their states include North Carolina’s favorite, hushpuppies, a delicious fried snack the size of a golf ball that’s perfect for dipping in yummy sauces. Another popular local dish is chicharrones, a fried pork dish, in New Mexico. Lastly, South Dakota’s most searched fried food is chislic, a skewered red meat dish including deep-fried cubes of lamb, beef, or venison.
The Dangers of Fried Food (Avoid these Dangers)
FAQ
What food is considered fried?
What are the 5 examples of frying?
What is commonly deep-fried?
Are fried foods healthy?
It’s inarguable that fried foods are among the most crave-worthy of all. But let’s address the elephant in the room. Fried food isn’t usually the healthiest choice, even though the rise of trendy air fryers has changed the game, erasing the connotation of these dishes as necessarily being greasy or fatty.
What foods are classified as fruits?
Anything that contains the seeds of the plant is a fruit, not a vegetable. This category includes items many consider to be vegetables, including squash, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, eggplant and avocados.
What kind of fish do you use for fried fish?
It’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and every bite packs a serious punch. While you can use any fish, I recommend Alaskan Cod, Tilapia, or Halibut for their mild flavor and firm texture. Besides paprika and garlic, you’ll also need some beer for the batter.
What fried foods can you make with an air fryer?
Fried green tomatoes, corn fritters, and even fried mushroom “calamari” are so easy to make. And be sure to cook up double batch of our chili garlic fried cauliflower; you’ll be so glad you did. In the mood for the crispy crunch of your favorite fried foods (but maybe not the clean up or grease)? We got you covered thanks to the mighty air-fryer.