Best Basket Deep Fryers

Buying guide for Best basket deep fryers

They may not be the healthiest foods, but there’s no denying the deliciousness of deep-fried French fries, chicken tenders, and onion rings. But deep frying at home can be tricky because it requires a bubbling pot of hot oil, and it can be dangerous and difficult to get the oil to the right temperature unless you have a basket deep fryer.

This countertop appliance has an oil reservoir, an internal heating mechanism that heats the oil to the right temperature, and a basket that holds the food that you lower into the hot oil. The basket makes it easy to quickly submerge the food and remove it when it’s done. Basket deep fryers incorporate plenty of safety features too, so you don’t have to worry about starting a fire or getting burned.

Choosing a basket deep fryer can be challenging because there are so many options to consider. Our buying guide arms you with all the information you need to pick the best one for your kitchen.

Many foods, including fried chicken, onion rings, and mozzarella sticks, must be coated before putting them in the oil. Dip the food in an egg wash and then dredge it in seasoned flour or breadcrumbs before frying.

Key considerations

Size

Capacity: When you’re shopping for a basket deep fryer, you want to look at the amount of oil that a model can hold. The size of the reservoir gives you an idea of how much food the appliance can fry at a time. Models with a higher oil capacity are usually deeper, which means they can fry more fries or chicken wings at a time. Some fryers hold up to 3 cups, while larger models hold as much as 8 cups.

Dimensions: In addition to the amount of oil and food a basket deep fryer can hold, you want to consider the size of the appliance overall. Basket deep fryers are designed to be countertop appliances, so you’ll want to choose a compact model if you don’t have much counter space in your kitchen. In general, a basket deep fryer that can hold more food takes up more space. Compact models hold smaller quantities of food.

Even if you have plenty of counter space, you probably won’t want to leave the fryer out all the time, which means you need to choose a model that you can easily store in a cabinet or on a shelf. Before buying, measure your cabinets to make sure that any fryer you’re considering will fit on the counter below them or inside them when you need to store the appliance.

Baskets

Basket deep fryers are available with one or two baskets. Two baskets allow you to fry two different types of food simultaneously, such as French fries in one and chicken nuggets in the other. This can be an excellent option for a family because it won’t take as long to prepare dinner if you can fry everything at once. A fryer with two baskets also comes in handy if you regularly host parties or large gatherings. You can prepare double the amount of food without worrying about any of it getting cold before serving it.

Features

Convenience

Drainage: You can reuse the oil that you fry your food in, but you shouldn’t leave it in your basket deep fryer for storage if you’re not going to use the appliance for a prolonged period. To make it easy to transfer the oil to a storage container or get rid of oil that’s gone bad, opt for a fryer that has an easy-to-use drainage system.

Thermostat: The best basket deep fryers include a built-in thermostat. That means the appliance can monitor the oil’s temperature, so you don’t need a separate thermometer. Fryers with a built-in thermostat usually have an indicator light to let you know when the oil has reached the proper frying temperature.

Oil change: If you’re reusing your oil for deep frying, it helps to choose a fryer that notifies you when the oil is no longer good, so you know to dispose of it and add fresh oil.

Safety

Cool-touch exterior: For safety reasons, you want to choose a basket deep fryer whose exterior doesn’t get hot while it’s in operation. A cool-touch exterior can prevent burns and make it easy to navigate around the fryer when you’re cooking.

Automatic shutoff: For the safest operation, you also want to choose a basket deep fryer with automatic shutoff. It shuts down the fryer if the oil gets too hot, so you don’t have to worry about the appliance heating to dangerous temperatures. 

Break-away cord: A break-away cord is another critical safety feature when you’re cooking with hot oil. If someone trips over the cord, it breaks away from the deep fryer, so all the hot oil doesn’t spill all over the floor or injure someone.

Accessories

Thermometer: If your basket deep fryer doesn’t include a built-in thermostat, you definitely need a thermometer to check when the oil has reached the right temperature for frying.

French fry cutter: If you plan to cook French fries in your basket deep fryer, it helps to have the right cutter to make quick work of all the potatoes.

Basket deep fryer prices

Basket deep fryers vary in price based on capacity, number of baskets, and other features. Most fryers cost between $35 and $315.

Inexpensive

The most affordable basket deep fryers are compact models with a single basket. These can cook less than a pound of food at a time and don’t offer any type of drainage system. These fryers usually cost between $35 and $60.

Mid-range

These basket deep fryers also have a single basket, but they can typically cook between 1 and 2 pounds of food at a time. Most don’t have a drainage system. They’re usually dishwasher safe for easy cleanup. These fryers generally cost between $60 and $140.

Expensive

The most expensive deep fryer baskets often have two baskets and cook over 2 pounds of food at a time. Most have an easy-to-use drainage system and are dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. These fryers usually cost between $140 and $315, depending on capacity.

Tips

• Filter reused oil. When reusing oil for deep frying, make sure to filter it first. It prevents the oil from giving your food a burned or unpleasant flavor. Pour the oil through a colander lined with cheesecloth over a container large enough to catch all the oil.
• Pat food dry before frying. If you’re deep frying food without a coating, like french fries, pat it dry with a paper towel before placing it in the deep fryer. Moisture on the food’s surface can cause the hot oil to pop and fly at you when you add the food.
• Don’t put too much food in the deep fryer at once. Overcrowding the basket can cause the food to cook unevenly.
• Drain the fried food. When your food is cooked, lift the basket out of the oil and let it drain on the fryer’s hooks for a moment before transferring it to a paper towel-lined plate.

You’ll get better flavor if you season your breading or batter before frying instead of the food after it’s fried. Use salt and pepper or take it up a notch with garlic powder, cayenne pepper, chile powder, curry powder, or hot sauce.

FAQ

Q. Is it safe to use a basket deep fryer at home?

A. A basket deep fryer is a perfectly safe kitchen appliance if you use it properly. Always read the owner’s manual that comes with your fryer before using it so you’re sure you understand the manufacturer’s instructions for safe operation.

Never leave the deep fryer unattended with hot oil inside. If you notice that the oil has started to smoke, turn the fryer off immediately to prevent a fire. Keep in mind that you should never attempt to extinguish a grease fire with water. Have baking soda and wet kitchen towels on hand to smother any flames that might arise instead.

Q. What kind of oil is best to use in a basket deep fryer?

A. The best oils for deep frying have a high smoke point, so you don’t have to worry about them burning. You also want a neutral-flavored oil that won’t change the taste of your food. Vegetable, grapeseed, peanut, or sunflower oil is your best option.

Q. How should I clean a basket deep fryer?

A. First, make sure your deep fryer and the oil are completely cool. That can take a couple of hours, so be patient. Next, remove the oil from the fryer. You can reserve the oil for later use or dispose of it properly. If your fryer’s interior is dishwasher safe, place it in the dishwasher for cleaning. For fryers that aren’t dishwasher safe, use a plastic brush or abrasive sponge to scrub any greasy buildup from the interior. Add some liquid dish soap and hot water to the fryer and turn it on to boil the mixture to remove any remaining residue. Turn the fryer off and allow it to cool along with the water mixture. Once it’s safe to handle, pour the water down the sink. Use a cloth to wipe down the inside of the fryer, scrubbing at any stubborn spots. Finally, rinse the fryer and dry it with a towel.