Hors d’oeuvres come in all forms, but for our money the best finger foods are deep-fried. Whether you’re making game day snacks or party appetizers, you can’t go wrong with a spread of fried appetizers. From bar food staples like Buffalo wings, French fries, and tater tots to more refined options like anchovy-stuffed zucchini blossoms, artichoke hearts, and mushroom tempura, we’ve rounded up our favorite deep-fried finger food recipes.
When it comes to fried snacks, it doesn’t get more classic than French fries and onion rings. To give our French fries a deep, meaty flavor we fry them in a mixture of duck fat and canola oil. For our sweet potato fries we stick with vegetable oil, letting the flavor of sweet potato shine. For onion rings, we have two delicious optionsmdash;try battering the onions in a mix of honey, paprika, and lager beer or dipping them in buttermilk and crusting them with cornmeal.
A simple frying elevates all kinds of vegetables to comfort-food perfection. Check out our recipes for fried artichokes and mushroom tempura. Even vegetables that are typically garnishes become a satisfying snack when fried—try frying scallions, as well as parsley, basil, mint, and other herbs.
Fried seafood is crunchy, briny, and awesome. Fried oysters are a favorite of ours, especially when served with a spicy remoulade or a zesty dip made with butter and hot sauce. For something a little more substantial, stuff sardines with an herbaceous charmoula and fry until crispy.
Find all of these recipes and more in our collection of deep-fried finger food recipes.
Alaskan Shrimp Chips
Hawaiian Fried Chicken (Mochiko Chicken with Ponzu)
Fried Stuffed Castelvetrano Olives
Fried Anchovy-Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms
Beef Brisket and Picadillo-Stuffed Empanadas
Padang-Style Mashed Potato Fritters (Perkedel Kenteng)
Indian Vegetable Fritters (Pakoras)
Indian Spiced Potato Pastries (Aloo Samose)
Upperline’s Oysters St. Claude
Indian Mashed Potato Fritters (Aloo Bonda)
Pan-Fried Salt Cod Chips (Fritas de Bacalhau)
Fried Oysters with Spicy Rémoulade
Zucchini Fritters (Kolokitho Keftedes)
Fried Artichoke Hearts with Taratur Sauce
Sage Tempura Shiitake Mushrooms
Swiss Fondue Fritters (Malakoffs)
Virginia Ham and White Cheddar Croquettes
Bistro Pommes Frites (Bistro French Fries)