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Popular Fried Foods for Your Quick-Serve Restaurant

Popular Fried Foods

In the quick-serve restaurant world, speed and flavor go hand-in-hand, and deep-fried foods are the undeniable heroes of the menu. Whether it’s golden French fries or succulent, crunchy fried chicken, these dishes provide bold flavors and crispy textures that keep customers coming back. Take McDonald’s fries—frequently hailed as “irresistible” by patrons—highlighting the enduring appeal of a perfectly fried item. But it’s not just fries dominating the landscape. The global Take-Out Fried Chicken Market was valued at USD 6.5 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow to USD 6.85 billion by 2024. It is projected to reach USD 10.52 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.50% from 2024 to 2032.1

Fried foods are often critical to the success of quick-serve establishments. Whether it’s fries, nuggets, or globally inspired fried favorites, consistent quality is what drives repeat business. Ensuring that each bite is perfectly crispy yet tender on the inside takes precision and mastery of deep frying techniques, making them a cornerstone of any winning menu.

With fried foods leading the way in popularity, it’s essential for quick-serve food establishments to offer both classic favorites and innovative options. Let’s explore the best popular fried foods to consider for your menu, along with tips for ensuring consistency and excellence in every bite.

Classic Fried Foods That Customers Love

French Fries: A Staple of Quick-Serve Menus

French fries are a non-negotiable item for any quick-serve restaurant. Whether served as a side or as loaded fries with toppings, the French fry is the ultimate comfort food. Its versatility makes it a hit with a wide variety of customers, from kids to adults. Offering different cuts—shoestring, crinkle, or waffle fries—can add variety and keep things interesting. ​​In addition to different cuts, restaurants can experiment with flavored fries by adding truffle oil, garlic parmesan, or cajun seasoning for a unique twist. This not only boosts flavor but also allows you to charge a premium for these upgraded fries.

To ensure perfectly crispy and golden restaurant-style fries, it’s important to use fresh, high-quality oil throughout service. Restaurant Technologies provides an automated oil management system, which employs bulk oil tanks that make it easy to cycle out old, used oil and replace it with fresh oil. By closely monitoring and controlling oil quality, you help ensure you’re consistently producing high-quality fried foods.

Chicken Nuggets and Tenders: Kid-Friendly Favorites

Chicken nuggets and tenders are synonymous with quick-serve food. Loved by kids and adults alike, these crispy, bite-sized pieces of chicken are a must for family-friendly menus. The key to perfect nuggets is the right balance between juicy chicken and a crunchy coating. Popular dipping sauces, like honey mustard or barbecue, elevate their appeal even further. Restaurants can offer a variety of breading options for nuggets and tenders, such as a spicy coating for more adventurous customers, or gluten-free alternatives to cater to dietary needs. Offering customizable sauces or nugget combos also adds a fun, interactive experience for your customers.

Onion Rings: A Crunchy Side Dish

Crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside, onion rings provide a delicious alternative to fries. These golden rings of fried onions are a great side option that many customers crave. Offering a variety of sauces, such as ranch or chipotle mayo, can help create memorable flavor pairings. Onion rings can also be elevated by incorporating gourmet ingredients like beer batter or adding herbs and spices to the breading mix. This simple adjustment can make this common side dish a signature item on your menu.

Global Fried Food Inspirations

Incorporating global fried food trends not only differentiates your menu but can also help you attract a wider range of customers. Bonchon, for instance, is renowned for its double-fried Korean chicken, a menu item that has helped the restaurant gain a foothold in the competitive quick-serve industry.2 Similarly, Katsuya, a Japanese-inspired quick-serve concept, draws in customers with their light and crispy tempura dishes. Quick-serve restaurants that offer international fried favorites provide customers with variety while broadening their cultural palate.

Korean Fried Chicken: A Flavorful Twist

Korean fried chicken has become a sensation around the world, and it’s easy to see why. Known for its ultra-crispy coating and bold sauces like spicy gochujang or sweet soy garlic, this dish is an exciting twist on traditional fried chicken. Incorporating the most popular Korean fried chicken varieties on your menu can attract adventurous eaters looking for something new and trendy. Offering different spice levels, from mild to extra hot, can appeal to a wider range of customers. For the full experience, serve Korean fried chicken with traditional accompaniments like pickled radish.

Tempura: A Light and Crispy Japanese Delight

Tempura, with its airy and delicate batter, offers a lighter take on fried foods. Typically made with shrimp or vegetables, it provides a crisp, non-greasy bite. Pair it with a soy-based dipping sauce for an authentic touch. With its origins in Japanese cuisine, tempura is ideal for customers seeking a flavorful yet less heavy fried option. Consider offering tempura platters with a mix of shrimp, vegetables, and even fish to give customers a variety to choose from.

Falafel: A Middle Eastern Fried Specialty

Falafel brings a Middle Eastern touch to your menu. These deep-fried chickpea patties are often served in pita or as part of a salad, making them a popular choice for health-conscious customers or those seeking vegetarian options. Falafel’s unique texture and spices can differentiate your menu from others. Adding different flavor profiles like spicy or herb-infused falafel will give customers even more reason to try this healthy option.

Empanadas: A Latin American Handheld Delight

Empanadas are deep-fried or baked turnovers filled with savory meats, cheeses, or vegetables. Their portability makes them perfect for quick-serve food businesses, while their hearty fillings appeal to a wide range of customers. Incorporating regional variations, like Argentine or Mexican empanadas, can add further diversity to your offerings. Empanadas can also be served as a snack or meal option, giving your restaurant more flexibility in portion sizes. Consider offering sweet empanadas as a dessert option to complement savory ones.

Samosas: A Spiced Indian Street Food Classic

Samosas, with their spicy potato or meat fillings, encased in a crispy fried shell, offer a burst of flavor in every bite. These Indian-inspired street food snacks can be paired with tangy chutneys to create a truly authentic experience for your customers. By offering samosas as part of a meal combo or snack pack, restaurants can create an attractive, grab-and-go option for customers looking for something different.

Croquettes: A French and Spanish Golden Bite

Croquettes, typically filled with mashed potatoes, meat, or cheese, are a popular fried treat in both French and Spanish cuisines. Their golden, crispy exterior and rich, creamy filling make them an indulgent addition to any menu. Offering a range of croquettes, such as ham, cheese, or even seafood, can turn this European staple into a versatile option on your menu.

Beignets: Dessert with A Touch of Southern Charm

For those looking to end their meal on a sweet note, beignets offer a dessert option that’s fried to perfection. These soft, pillowy squares of dough, generously dusted with powdered sugar, bring a taste of New Orleans to your restaurant. They’re an irresistible combination of light and indulgent.

Innovating Your Fried Food Offerings

To keep customers excited and engaged, it’s important to refresh your menu with new and creative items regularly. Menu innovation can be a major driver for repeat business, especially in the fried food category, where trends constantly evolve. A prime example is Popeyes’ wildly successful launch of their limited-time chicken sandwich in 2019, which sparked a nationwide craze and generated enormous buzz, leading to lines out the door and a significant spike in sales.3 This demonstrates how innovative fried offerings can capture customer attention and increase demand.

Offering limited-time specials or seasonal items helps maintain customer interest. According to Datassential, 44% of customers say they’re more likely to visit a restaurant offering seasonal or limited-time dishes, highlighting the importance of freshness and creativity. Consider introducing new dipping sauces, experimenting with global flavors, or offering twists on fried classics to keep your menu exciting and encourage repeat visits.

Creating Signature Dipping Sauces

One easy way to elevate your fried food offerings is by developing signature dipping sauces. Whether it’s a spicy aioli, a tangy vinegar-based sauce, or something sweet and smoky, signature sauces can set your dishes apart and become a key part of your brand identity.

Adding Seasonal or Limited-Time Fried Items

Another way to create buzz and attract repeat customers is by offering seasonal or limited-time fried items. Think of holiday-themed treats like pumpkin-spiced fritters or summer specials featuring fresh, seasonal produce. These limited offerings encourage customers to visit frequently and try something new.

Tips for Consistently Perfect Fried Foods

Achieving consistent quality in fried foods is essential for retaining customers and maintaining your restaurant’s reputation. It’s important to learn how to maintain consistency in food, because it builds the kind of trust with customers that is critical for the long-term success of any quick-serve restaurant. Ensuring that every batch is perfect—no matter how busy the kitchen gets—requires well-maintained equipment, trained staff, and proper procedures.

Create a safer and more efficient kitchen. Learn more!

Choosing the Best Breading and Batter Options

The right breading or batter can make or break a fried dish. The texture and flavor should complement the food while staying crispy long after it leaves the deep fryer. Experiment with different coatings—whether it’s a light panko crumb, a seasoned flour, or a buttermilk batter—to find the perfect match for your menu.

By focusing on popular fried foods, creative innovations, and consistent execution, your quick-serve restaurant can stay ahead of the competition and keep customers coming back for more. Restaurant Technologies is here to help make that process easier, providing you with the tools to streamline operations and ensure your fried foods are cooked to perfection every time.

Fried Food Perfection with Automated Cooking Oil Management

Fried foods are a cornerstone of any quick-serve restaurant menu, from fast food classics like French fries and chicken nuggets to globally inspired favorites like Korean fried chicken and tempura. Offering both traditional and innovative fried options can attract a wide range of customers and keep your menu exciting. However, achieving consistency is key to maintaining customer satisfaction and building trust in your brand. By focusing on maintaining the right oil temperature, using the best breading and batter, and incorporating an automated cooking oil management system like that offered by Restaurant Technologies, you can ensure your fried food offerings are always perfectly golden, crispy, and delicious. Streamlining your frying process will not only improve food quality but also optimize operations, allowing you to serve more customers efficiently and consistently.

Sources:

  1. Market Research Future. Take-Out Fried Chicken Market Size Report. www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/take-out-fried-chicken-market-8337
  2. Restaurant Business. How Bonchon’s Innovative Strategies Are Revolutionizing the Korean Fried Chicken Market. www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/operations/how-bonchons-innovative-strategies-are-revolutionizing-korean-fried-chicken-market
  3. QSR Magazine. Just How Big a Deal Was Popeyes’ Chicken Sandwich? www.qsrmagazine.com/growth/marketing-promotions/just-how-big-deal-was-popeyes-chicken-sandwich

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