The Most Popular Fried Food in America, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the fried food you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 30, 2024 06:38
Many argue about which fried food truly captures the essence of American cuisine. While some suggest the decision is purely based on personal taste, understanding widespread preferences can offer insights beyond mere flavor. A comprehensive ranking helps clarify which dishes are favored across diverse communities and age groups, shedding light on cultural trends and regional tastes.
By participating in this voting process, users contribute to a broader understanding of what stands out in the current culinary landscape. Each vote not only reflects personal preference but also influences how these foods are perceived and enjoyed nationally. This dynamic tool provides a snapshot of popular opinion, encouraging an engaging interaction with food culture.
What Is the Most Popular Fried Food in America?
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133votesFrench fries are the most popular fried food in America due to their versatility and availability. They can be found on almost every fast food menu and are a staple at backyard barbecues and family dinners.French fries are a classic and beloved dish made from thinly sliced potatoes that are typically deep-fried until they become crispy and golden brown on the outside, while remaining soft and fluffy on the inside. They are one of the most popular choices for cooking in an air fryer, as this method yields a healthier and equally delicious alternative to traditional deep-frying.
- Potato type: Russet potatoes are typically used for French fries as they have a high starch content that results in a fluffy interior and crispy exterior.
- Cut: French fries are usually cut into long, thin stick-like shapes, often referred to as matchstick or shoestring cut.
- Preparation: Before frying, the potatoes are often soaked in water to remove excess starch and then dried. They are then fried twice, once at a lower temperature to cook the interior and again at a higher temperature to achieve crispiness.
- Seasoning: French fries are commonly seasoned with salt, but can also be flavored with various seasonings such as garlic powder, paprika, or herbs.
- Cooking time in an air fryer: French fries typically require around 20-25 minutes in an air fryer, depending on the desired level of crispiness.
French fries in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular potato dish
- Position 4 of 10 in Most popular junk food in America
- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular frozen food
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235votes
Evan-Amos · CC0Fried chicken is a classic Southern dish that has become popular across the country. It is often seasoned with a variety of spices and served with sides like mashed potatoes and corn.Fried chicken is a popular dish made by coating chicken pieces in a seasoned batter or breadcrumbs and then deep-frying them until they become golden and crispy on the outside, while remaining juicy and tender on the inside.- Main Ingredient: Chicken
- Cooking Method: Deep-fried
- Seasoning: Varies, but commonly includes salt, pepper, and a blend of herbs and spices
- Batter or Breading: Can be either a seasoned batter or a coating of breadcrumbs
- Texture: Crispy on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside
Fried chicken in other rankings- Position 7 of 10 in Most beloved food in the world
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312votesOnion rings are a favorite appetizer at restaurants and fast food chains. They are made by coating sliced onions in a batter and frying them until crispy.Onion rings are a popular and delicious snack or side dish made by coating sliced onions in batter and then frying them until crispy and golden brown. They are known for their crunchy exterior and tender, flavorful onion interior.
- Cooking method: Air-fried
- Texture: Crispy exterior, tender interior
- Flavor: Savory and slightly sweet
- Preparation time: 10-15 minutes
- Cooking time: 10-15 minutes
Onion rings in other rankings- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular pub food
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420votesChicken wings are often served as a snack or appetizer at bars and restaurants. They are typically fried and coated in a spicy or sweet sauce.Chicken wings in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most delicious part of a chicken
- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular cut of chicken
- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular pub food
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516votes
SimonePascuzzi · CC BY-SA 3.0Fried shrimp is a popular seafood dish that is often served at restaurants and seafood shacks. The shrimp are breaded and fried until crispy.Fried shrimp is a popular seafood dish in America, consisting of shrimp that has been breaded and deep-fried until golden and crispy. It is typically served as an appetizer or main course.- Shrimp Type: Most commonly made with large, peeled and deveined shrimp.
- Breading: Shrimp is typically coated in a mixture of flour, breadcrumbs, or cornmeal before frying.
- Seasoning: Various seasonings such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, or paprika may be added to enhance the flavor.
- Cooking Method: Shrimp is traditionally deep-fried in hot oil until crispy.
- Serving Options: Fried shrimp can be served with a variety of dips or sauces like cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, or remoulade.
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64votes
Francesc Fort · CC BY-SA 4.0Fried calamari
Italian immigrantsFried calamari is a popular Italian dish that has become a favorite appetizer at American restaurants. It is made by frying squid rings until crispy and serving them with a dipping sauce.Fried calamari is a popular appetizer in America that consists of squid rings coated in a crispy batter and deep-fried until golden brown. The tender and succulent squid rings are typically served with a side of marinara sauce or aioli for dipping. It is believed that fried calamari was first introduced to the American cuisine by Italian immigrants.- Calories: Approximately 350-400 calories per serving
- Preparation Method: Deep-frying
- Flavor: Mild and seafood-like
- Texture: Crispy exterior with tender interior
- Ingredients: Squid, flour, eggs, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, and optional herbs or spices
Fried calamari in other rankings- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular appetizer in America
- Position 10 of 10 in Most popular Hawaiian starter
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710votes
Guanaco · CC BY-SA 4.0Fried pickles are a unique and tasty snack that has become popular in recent years. They are made by coating pickles in a batter and frying until crispy.Fried pickles are a popular fair food that consists of pickles that have been breaded and deep-fried until crispy and golden brown. They are typically served as a finger food or appetizer and are enjoyed for their unique combination of tangy pickles and crunchy coating.- Pickles: Sliced dill pickles are commonly used.
- Breading: The pickles are coated in a seasoned breading mixture, often made with ingredients such as flour, cornmeal, or breadcrumbs.
- Deep-frying: The breaded pickles are then deep-fried in hot oil until they become crispy and golden brown.
- Taste: Fried pickles have a combination of flavors, with the tangy and briny taste of the pickle contrasting with the crispy and savory coating.
- Texture: They have a crunchy outer coating and a tender, juicy pickle inside.
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810votesFried catfish is a Southern favorite that has become popular across the country. The fish is typically coated in cornmeal and fried until crispy.Fried catfish is a popular Cajun dish known for its crispy breaded exterior and tender, flaky interior. It features catfish fillets that are coated in a seasoned cornmeal or flour mixture and then deep-fried to perfection.
- Type of Fish: Catfish
- Coating: Seasoned cornmeal or flour mixture
- Cooking Method: Deep-fried
- Texture: Crispy exterior, tender and flaky interior
- Flavor: Savory with subtle Cajun spices
Fried catfish in other rankings- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular food in Tennessee
- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular food in Texas
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95votes
Arge300exx · Public domainFried dough is a popular fair food that can be topped with sugar, cinnamon, or other sweet toppings. It is made by frying dough until golden brown.Fried dough is a popular food in Maine that is made by frying a simple dough mixture until it becomes golden and crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It is often served hot and sprinkled with powdered sugar or drizzled with maple syrup for added sweetness.- Shape: Commonly round, but can be found in various shapes like squares or rectangles.
- Size: Typically palm-sized, but can range from small to large.
- Texture: Crunchy on the outside, soft and doughy on the inside.
- Ingredients: Flour, water, sugar, yeast, salt, sometimes with additional flavorings like cinnamon or vanilla.
- Preparation: The dough is mixed, kneaded, and left to rise before being rolled out and cut into desired shapes. It is then deep-fried until golden brown.
Fried dough in other rankings- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular food in Maine
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106votes
Greg Tally - User: (WT-shared) WineCountryInn at wts wikivoyage · CC BY-SA 3.0Fried cheese is a popular appetizer that can be found on many restaurant menus. It is made by coating cheese in a batter and frying until crispy.Fried cheese is a traditional Czech dish that has become immensely popular in Prague. It consists of a slice of cheese, typically Edam or HermelÃn, coated in breadcrumbs and deep-fried until golden and crispy on the outside while maintaining a soft, gooey texture on the inside. Often served with tartar sauce and a side of fries or potatoes, it is a beloved comfort food in Prague's culinary scene.- Cheese Types: Edam, HermelÃn
- Coating: Breadcrumbs
- Cooking Method: Deep-fried
- Texture: Crispy outside, gooey inside
- Serving Sauce: Tartar sauce
Missing your favorite fried food?
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Discussion
Ranking factors for popular fried food
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SalesAnalyzing the sales figures of different fried foods in various restaurants, fast food chains, and grocery stores will give a good indication of their popularity. The higher the sales, the more popular the dish.
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Consumption rateUnderstanding how frequently people consume various fried foods is essential to determine their popularity. Surveying a representative sample of the population to get an idea of their fried food preferences and consumption habits can contribute to this.
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Regional preferencesDifferent regions in the US may have varying popular fried foods based on local tastes, ingredients, and traditions. Investigating regional preferences and factoring them into the overall popularity assessment can provide a more accurate ranking.
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Social media presenceAnalyzing the presence of various fried foods on social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook can help determine their popularity. The more often a particular fried food is mentioned, photographed, and discussed, the more likely it is to be popular.
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AvailabilityThe ease of access and availability of different fried foods is a crucial factor to consider. Some fried foods may have high popularity, but if they are not widely available, they will not rank high on the list. This includes factors like restaurant distribution, home cooking prevalence, and frozen or ready-to-eat products sold in stores.
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Cultural significanceSome fried foods have a deep-rooted cultural and historical significance in American society. The popularity of these foods may be driven by tradition, nostalgia, and shared cultural experiences.
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Critic and customer reviewsExamining critic and customer reviews can provide insight into the popularity and preferences of fried foods. A higher overall rating or positive reviews from well-known food critics may indicate a higher level of popularity.
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Versatility and adaptabilityFried foods that can easily adapt to various dietary requirements or preferences (such as gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan) may have a broader appeal and therefore be more popular.
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Seasonal popularityThe popularity of some fried foods may vary across different seasons, with certain dishes becoming more sought-after at specific times of the year.
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Health concernsIn recent years, there has been an increasing awareness about the health risks associated with fried foods. Understanding how these concerns impact the popularity of various dishes can also help determine their rankings.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular fried food in America. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or fried is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1931 views
- 149 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each fried once every 24 hours. The rank of each fried is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular fried food in america
Fried food has become a staple in American cuisine over the years. From deep-fried chicken to French fries, Americans have a love affair with anything crispy and golden-brown. But what is the most popular fried food in America? This is a question that has been asked time and time again, and the answer seems to vary depending on who you ask. Some may say that fried chicken is the king of fried foods, while others may argue that nothing beats a good old-fashioned order of onion rings. Regardless of personal preferences, one thing is for sure: Americans love their fried food. In fact, it's estimated that the average American consumes around 24 pounds of fried food per year. So whether you're a fan of fried fish, fried pickles, or fried dough, there's no denying that fried food is a beloved part of American cuisine.
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