We owe a lot to the deep-fryer. It brought us fried chicken, doughnuts and onion rings (among many other favorite foods). We don't have any problems with the deep fryer, but we do have a beef with the things people choose to put in the fryer.
While we're open to a little culinary experimentation (like Reese's Peanut Butter Cup stuffed pizza crust and Cadbury egg-filled doughnuts), sometimes things are taken too far -- there are limits to what should and should not be battered and fried. Click through the slideshow to see the best and worst of what comes out of the fryer. And if you think we missed a good one, let us know.
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Burger -- Don't Fry
A burger is perfection as it is, it's juicy and greasy and sandwiched between two slices of soft bread. Why would you want to mess with something as good as that?
<em>Photo from <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/istolethetv/2520805499/sizes/l/in/photostream/" target="_hplink">Flickr: istolethetv</a>.</em>
Pizza Dough -- Fry It
We're not advocating deep-fried pizzas, just the merging of fried dough to pizza. <a href="http://slice.seriouseats.com/archives/2012/04/the-pizza-lab-how-to-make-fried-pizza-at-home.html" target="_hplink">To make the pizza</a>, the dough is flash fried, topped with the ingredients and then baked. It makes the softest pizza dough you've ever tasted.
<em>Photo from <a href="http://www.forcellaeatery.com/pictures.html" target="_hplink">Forcella</a>.</em>
Oreos -- Don't Fry
When a cookie is sandwiched with a layer of white, creamy, fatty substance, it's definitely not meant to be battered and fried. That's just taking it too far.
<em>Photo from <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/buckygail/5179244771/sizes/l/in/photostream/" target="_hplink">Flickr: Shes Not There</a>.</em>
Doughnuts -- Fry Them
Sure, doughnuts aren't healthy for us. And you really shouldn't be taking down a half dozen at a time. But are they disgusting? Nope, they sure aren't.
<em>Photo from <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/arndog/" target="_hplink">Flickr: arnold | inuyaki</a>.</em>
Kool Aid -- Don't Fry
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/20/deep-fried-kool-aid_n_880268.html" target="_hplink">Fried Kool Aid</a> just doesn't really make sense. Why would you want to eat a beverage? Beverages are for drinking, even slurping down with a straw, but definitely not for chewing.
<em>Photo from <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cuttlefish/5995558862/sizes/l/in/photostream/" target="_hplink">Flickr: cuttlefish</a>.</em>
Fish N Chips -- Fry It
Fish n chips are a UK favorite for a reason, because they go so well together -- and the delicate flesh of fish is nicely contrasted with the crispy batter.
<em>Photo from <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/richardmoross/997855786/sizes/l/in/photostream/" target="_hplink">Flickr: Richard Moross</a>.</em>
Cheesecake -- Don't Fry
We all know that a slice of cheesecake is an overly indulgent dessert -- but when you deep fry it, this sweet treat becomes a heart attack waiting to happen.
<em>Photo from <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biwook/2760739368/sizes/l/in/photostream/" target="_hplink">Flickr: Ioan Sameli</a>.</em>
Chicken -- Fry It
There's quite possibly no better fate for chicken than the deep fryer. Batter and oil transform this somewhat boring food into a mouth-watering feast.
<em>Photo from <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/preppybyday/4808613736/sizes/l/in/photostream/" target="_hplink">Flickr: TheCulinaryGeek</a>.</em>
Bacon -- Don't Fry
This is another one of those foods that doesn't need additional grease. It's already fried in its own grease when cooking it conventionally, but battering it and throwing it in a deep fryer is just too much.
<em>Photo from <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lysinewf/5186439702/sizes/l/in/photostream/" target="_hplink">Flickr: lysinewf</a>.</em>
Vegetables -- Fry Them
Vegetables are good for you, which means a lot people aren't thrilled to eat them. But in the case of tempura, it seems to make sense to lightly batter them and give them a quick fry to make them more appetizing.
<em>Photo from <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/maya83/5812023249/sizes/l/in/photostream/" target="_hplink">Flickr: Maya83</a>.</em>
Butter -- Don't Fry
Do we need to explain this one at all? <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/11/fried-butter-stick-iowa-state-fair_n_924768.html" target="_hplink">Frying fat in fat</a>, it's just wrong.
<em>Photo from <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidberkowitz/5024322930/sizes/l/in/photostream/" target="_hplink">Flickr: David Berkowitz</a>.</em>
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Posted: 05/18/12 09:35 AM ET | Updated: 08/31/12 10:48 AM ET