Do you want to cook food faster in a deep fryer with a healthier form of fat? The answer is yes almost all the time. Food when cooked with Crisco shortening makes it taste even better, but can it be used in a deep fryer? Is it safe? Keep reading to know all about it with every detail.
Can you use Crisco in a deep fryer?
Almost all Crisco oils can be used in a deep fryer. They can be used as long as they are used in an appropriate amount. Enough Crisco should be heated in the deep fryer before the food is submerged in the fryer. However, using too much of it will result in the food getting too greasy.
Crisco Blends Oil, Canola Oil and Omega-3 DHA, Frying Oil Blend, Peanut Oil, Pure Canola Oil, Pure Corn Oil, and Pure Vegetable Oil can be used in a deep fryer. Most of Crisco’s products work the same as other cooking oils in the deep fryer.
However, Crisco Peanut Oil fails to withstand high temperatures. It may start smoking when the deep fryer reaches a temperature of 360°F (180 °C). Thus, it may not be appropriate when deep-frying items such as meat.
Can you use Crisco shortening in a deep fryer?
Crisco shortening can be used in a deep fryer. It will not be harmful to the deep fryer when used for a long time with relatively low temperatures.
Deep fryers can withstand Crisco’s high-fat shortening. The fat does not stick to the fryer after the process has been completed. The only requirement is to use it in appropriate amounts. It is recommended to fill the deep fryer with Crisco within a half-inch of the fill line.
Is Crisco shortening good for deep frying?
Crisco shortening baking sticks and Crisco vegetable shortening can be considered good for deep frying. But at first, it needs to be melted at around 68°F (20 °C) as it has hydrogenation. The food cannot be put on the deep fryer with a solid chunk of Crisco shortening.
However, it may not be entirely suitable for deep frying as it has a relatively low boiling point. Typically, Crisco shortening has a smoking point of 360 °F (180 °C). It starts to start and smoke when it is in the deep fryer for a long time at high temperatures.
After it reaches the smoke point of 360 °F (180 °C), the burnt Crisco shortening will give a burnt flavor to the food cooked. Thus, other vegetable shortenings with high smoke points are recommended.
Why is Crisco so bad for you?
Crisco can make food taste better than if it was cooked in regular oil, but it may not be entirely healthy. It is partially hydrogenated vegetable shortening, and such shortenings often lead to health issues.
Consuming high amounts of fats is never healthy, and Crisco contains more than 12 grams of fat. Mostly, the 3.5 grams of saturated fat and 1.7 grams of trans fat in it increase levels of cholesterol (LDL), which leads to heart disease.
Crisco also contains fewer amounts of nutrients. Unlike butter, it does not contain vitamin A and C. It also contains 15% more calories than other oils. It will increase body fat and weight.
Can you use shortening in a deep fryer?
Shortening can be used in a deep fryer. It works like any other vegetable oils as it is mostly made of vegetable oil such as oilseed, palm oil, and soybean. However, it needs to be heated in the deep fryer at 68-70 °F (20-22 °C) as it has hydrogenation and is solid at room temperature.
Shortening can be used for deep frying items like vegetables, meat, bread items, etc. It will not harm the deep fryer. However, after usage, it may need to be cleaned properly. Shortening has high amounts of fat, especially shortenings made with animal fat.
The fat can stick to the deep fryer even after cleaning. Thus, it is necessary to clean the deep fryer properly after using shortening.
Can you deep fry with shortening?
Yes. Food items such as meat, frozen items, and vegetables can be deep-fried with shortening. With shortening in a deep fryer, food items usually take less time to be cooked properly, it saves time and effort.
However, it can be deep-fried at high temperatures for a long time only when it has a high smoke point. Vegetable shortenings have a smoke point of 360-410°F (180-210°C), thus the temperature of the deep fryer should be maintained within 410°F (210°C).
If it is impossible to cook without exceeding the smoke point, it is better not to deep fry with shortening.
What does shortening do in deep frying? Benefits of using shortening
Shortening is often used in deep fryers to cook meat. Introducing shortening to the deep-frying food items can make them taste even better. It adds a texture to the food and makes it tender.
It does not allow the gluten of the food to build a tough layer by coating the gluten strands. As a result, the deep-fried food comes out tender and crispy.
It is also cheaper and stable in terms of heat than other oils, which makes it a good option.
How to use shortening in deep fat frying?
Shortening can be used in a deep fat fryer following the steps below:
Scoop the shortening to fill the deep fat fryer:
Fill up the deep fat fryer with shortening. Shortening is hydrogenated, so the solid needs to be used in small amounts.
Make sure to use enough shortening for the food to be properly submerged.
Turn on the fryer:
Turn it on to ensure that the appliance is working.
Set the temperature at 365°F (180°C) and wait for the shortening to melt. Almost all deep fat fryers regulate the temperature automatically after the temperature is set.
Check the shortening:
Check if it has melted to reach the desired temperature.
Leaving it on medium heat will melt the shortening without reaching too high temperatures.
Release the food in the fryer:
Once the shortening starts boiling after 10 to 20 minutes, carefully release the food into the fryer.
How much shortening do you put in a deep fryer?
Using too much shortening can result in a greasy food item while using too little shortening will not let the food be properly submerged in a deep fryer. Thus, it is important to use shortening according to the size of the food.
Typically, deep fryers have a fill line, filling the fryer with shortening within 1/2 inch of the fill line. The amount of the shortened will keep rising as it melts.
It should reach up to the maximum fill; if it exceeds the maximum fill line, some of it should be removed to prevent spilling.
Can you reuse shortening for deep-fat frying?
Shortening made with animal fat cannot be reused for shortening. In contrast, vegetable shortening can be reused a few times.
When frying any batter in the deep fat frying, the vegetable shortening can be reused three to four times. It is because the batter might leave droplets of it in the shortening, the droplets may keep burning when reused.
On the other hand, when deep-frying solid items such as frozen nuggets, the shortening can be reused eight times or as long as the melted shortening looks clean and clear.
Which is better for frying shortening or oil?
In comparison to cooking oils, shortening is a better option when frying. Shortening has a relatively high boiling point. It means that it can be kept on the heating within 117°F (42°C) for a long time. Unlike other oils, it can also be reused at least 4 to 8 times.
Shortening is also heat stable. Frying raises the temperature by a huge number, and shortening can withstand such temperatures. In addition, it can enhance the texture of the food when frying.
Is lard or shortening better for deep frying?
Both lard and shortening are great for deep frying. But when comparing the two, lard is a better option than shortening.
When deep frying with lard, the food gets extra nutrients. Lard contains vitamin D for your health, while shortening does not. Deep frying involves frying with very high temperatures, and lard can withstand those temperatures. Its structure doesn’t denature.
Shortenings also have a lower smoking point than lard. It is more likely to get burnt quickly. Lard will not burn and add a burnt flavor to the food when it is deep-fried.
Can I use shortening instead of butter for frying?
Shortening can be used instead of butter for frying. Instead, it is more suitable than butter when frying. Butter cannot withstand heat, it turns brown and burns when exposed to high temperatures. It also cannot be used when deep-frying food.
On the other hand, shortening is heat-stable, it can withstand high temperatures when frying. However, using shortening instead of butter may not be nutritious as shortening does not contain vitamin A, E, B12, and K.
Thus, if eating healthy is not the priority, shortening can be used instead of butter for frying.
Does gluten stay in a deep fryer?
Yes. Gluten stays in a deep fryer even after frying food in it. It will remain in the fryer to contact the next food fried in the deep fryer. Non-gluten foods will carry gluten once it is deep-fried in the same fryer.
It is because gluten structure does not denature in deep fryers. Even immense heat cannot break its molecules. Thus, it is not safe for a person with Celiac disease to consume food cooked by a deep fryer which often cooks food that contains gluten.
Final Thoughts:
Crisco shortening is a good grease for cooking food items in a deep fryer. It makes the dish tasty when it is used in the deep fryer but it may become messy in the fryer. A deep fryer laced with chunks of fat may seem hard to clean. It may also not make it a healthy option with such levels of fat.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why Is My Deep Fryer Overflowing and Foamy?
Does Deep Fryer Oil Need to Be Refrigerated?