With Thanksgiving just around the corner, many of us will be looking forward to getting stuck into a crispy, juicy turkey with all the trimmings. For some, it will also be when our turkey fryer gets its only outing of the year.
While turkey fryers are undoubtedly great for cooking turkeys, as their name suggests, they're much more versatile than you may realize. The best turkey fryers can be used all year round for sides, sweets, and everything in between.
9 foods to cook in a turkey fryer
In the spirit of both culinary exploration and doing the turkey fryer's versatility justice, here are nine foods you can cook in your turkey fryer that go far beyond the humble poultry dish.
1. Cajun chicken wings
You can fry any chicken wings in your turkey fryer, but in a nod to the turkey fryer's Louisiana roots, one of my favorite variations is cajun chicken wings.
The key to getting truly crispy wings is to add a Cajun spice mix to cornflour. Coat your chicken wings thoroughly in the dry spice mix, then add them to the hot oil one at a time.
If you prefer juicy, saucy wings, you can coat them in a cajun sauce after you take them out of the oil. You can also make your cajun spice mix to dial up or down the smokey paprika or the spiciness from the cayenne pepper.
These chicken wings are not only a great side dish for Thanksgiving and beyond but also serve large groups, making them perfect for any dinner party or occasion.
2. Vegetables and veggie fries
For a twist on the traditional boiled vegetable sides, try deep-frying your veggies in your turkey fryer.
Not only does the fryer turn them into delicious, crunchy treats, but they help to add a different texture to your meal. My favorites are broccoli and carrots, but you can also cut zucchini and sweet potato into strips and make vegetable fries.
Of course, boiling is healthier, but this is a great option if it's the difference between getting your children – or reluctant adults – to eat vegetables versus not eating them at all. Moreover, you can coat them in a tempura batter or parmesan crumb to add extra flavor and finish.
3. Donuts
Anything you can make in the best deep fryers can technically be made in a turkey fryer, including donuts.
The fryer's capacity and consistent high heat make it perfect for frying up a batch of sweet treats. Whether you're making classic glazed donuts or experimenting with different flavors and toppings – my favorite is pumpkin spice – the turkey fryer is an excellent alternative to a vat of hot oil in a pan on the stove.
The donuts can be temperamental, and you need to make sure the dough is firm, the oil is hot, and you turn them regularly to get an even coating. However, they're more than worth this effort.
Wondering what you can do with the leftover donut holes? Fry those, too!
4. Funnel cake fries
Funnel cakes are one of my son's favorites, but making them from scratch can be a messy nightmare. Thankfully, I've found a way to make funnel cake fries with minimal mess and in minutes in my turkey fryer.
The key is to pour the funnel cake batter mix into a (clean, empty) squeezy ketchup bottle. You can then squeeze strips of the batter straight into your turkey fryer's hot oil and similarly cook them to donuts, turning each fry occasionally until it turns golden brown.
I love dusting them in powdered sugar and dipping them in melted chocolate sauce like I would with churros. And I only need to clean the mixing bowl, spoon, and turkey fryer!
If you're more skilled or patient than I am, you could also try transforming the cake fries into different shapes as you squeeze them into the fryer.
5. Parmesan cauliflower bites
Yes, these parmesan cauliflower bites could technically be filed under deep-fried vegetables, but they're so delicious that they're worthy of their description.
Cut the cauliflower into bite-sized pieces and roll them in parmesan breadcrumbs. In my experience, Panko breadcrumbs work best, but any breadcrumbs will work. Next, put them in your turkey fryer until they turn golden brown.
Once cooked and crispy, grab a huge pot of ranch and enjoy it in front of a movie.
6. Soup and broths
It may not be the obvious choice when looking for ideas on what to cook in a turkey fryer, but its large capacity and high heat make it well-suited to making soups and broths.
Add all your vegetables, water, and cream—depending on what you're making—bring to a boil and cook until all the flavors have infused. You can also use your turkey fryer to make broth or gravy with water and leftover bones.
The only downside is that turkey fryers typically get hotter than slow cookers or pots on the stove, and it's harder to control the temperature. However, this shouldn't be a problem if you keep an eye on your soup or broth and stir it regularly.
7. Seafood broils
The turkey fryer's large capacity also allows you to make seafood broil with a generous mix of shrimp, crabs, potatoes, corn, and sausages.
Instead of oil, fill the turkey fryer with water, bring it to a boil, and add all of your seafood broil ingredients, spices, and seasoning at once.
The high heat ensures everything cooks quickly, making it ideal for a large family gathering or a festive outdoor party. Plus, the ease of cooking and clean-up makes it hassle-free to enjoy a seafood feast.
Top tip: Add garlic butter and a squeeze of lemon juice to elevate your seafood broil.
8. Apple cider or mulled wine
A sweet take on the savory broth, you can use your turkey fryer to make batches of warm apple cider or mulled wine. This is a great choice if you have an outdoor turkey fryer hosting large yard parties.
You can just use the turkey fryer to keep the cider or wine warm, or you can add spices like cinnamon, cloves, and star anise, as well as fruits like oranges and lemons, to create a warming, flavorsome, and festive brew.
9. Fruit fritters
In the same way, you can turn the humble vegetable into a crispy, tasty treat in the turkey fryer; you can transform the fruit into a fried treat, too.
Fruit tends to fall apart easier than vegetables, so while you can add them straight to the oil, you might end up with a fructose mess.
Instead, dip slices of apple, peaches, or even whole bananas in a light fritter batter and deep-fry them until golden brown.
Final thoughts
As I've hopefully demonstrated in this guide, turkey fryers' versatility extends far beyond just cooking a turkey. And far beyond Thanksgiving.
From seafood boils to sweet treats like donuts and funnel cake fries, turkey fryers can handle various tasks.
Whether you're hosting a large gathering or enjoying a meal with loved ones, a turkey fryer can be a surprisingly useful tool in your cooking arsenal.
