9 Classic Deep Fryers Made For Cooking Comfort Food
For chicken that's crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside—every time.
Delish editors handpick every product we feature. We may earn commission from the links on this page.
Don't get us wrong, we love our air fryer as much as the next person. But sometimes you just need some good ol' French fries. Or buffalo wings. Or country fried chicken—oil usage be damned. For the most comforting of all comfort foods, you must invest in a deep fryer. But you've gotta pick the right one: The best model for one person may not be ideal for someone else. Ask yourself these questions before you start shopping.
What to look for in a deep fryer:
Safety
Burning hot oil on the skin? We'll pass on that. If you're cooking with kids, your eyes are not what they used to be, or you're simply not the most coordinated of people, you'll want a deep fryer that comes with special safety functions. For example, disposing of leftover boiling hot oil improperly is a surefire way to burn yourself. Look for deep fryers with a removable oil container or pouring spout for easy throw-away.
Capacity
Are you cooking for one or are you prepping for a large crew? If you're cooking more than one item for more than one person, you may want to look for a deep fryer with features like multiple baskets and a large capacity (say, one that holds four quarts).
Storage
There's no way around it—deep fryers take up their fare share of counter real estate. Ask yourself how often you'll be using your deep fryer. You may want to consider a smaller one that takes up less counter space if it will be out often.
Once you've figured out what exactly you're looking for, shop the best deep fryers in every category below.
Presto Presto Fry Daddy Electric Deep Fryer
A solid deep fryer for less than $30? This is it. Believe it or not, you can make six servings in this fry basket. The cast aluminum base allows for even heat distribution while you cook.
The smart fryer's digital system comes with six preprogramed frying settings (for fries, twice fried fries, fish, wings, calamari, and donuts) plus customizable shortcuts for the temperature and timing you find works best.
Masterbuilt Masterbuilt 10 Liter XL Electric Fryer
If you do a lot of entertaining, it will help to have this deep fryer. It can hold a massive amount of oil at once—meaning you can fit up to 10 liters of oil in here.
De'Longhi Livenza Easy Clean Deep Fryer
As previously mentioned, cleaning a deep fryer is no walk in the park. However, this De'Longhi fryer can be broken down into small, dishwasher-safe parts for a very easy cleaning session.
Secura Stainless-Steel Triple Basket Deep Fryer
You can fry your main meal and your side dish (and then some) at the same time with this three-basket deep fryer. Plus, it has an odor filtration system so your whole house won't get that fried food smell.
Cuisinart 3.4-Quart Deep Fryer
With a cool-touch handle to avoid burns and a removable stainless steel oil container to avoid spillage, this is one of the safest (and most effective) deep fryers on the market.
Presto Presto 6qt Kitchen Kettle Multi-Cooker & Steamer 06006
Not only can you deep fry with this device, you can also use it for steaming, blanching, and cooking soup. That's quite the range, especially for its price tag.
Hamilton Beach Hamilton Beach Cool-Touch Deep Fryer
This model comes with cool-touch sides and a special lid designed for fewer splatters, making it a dream to use for beginners and experts alike. Just look at all those five-star ratings!
There's a lot we love about this deep fryer but this review sums it up best: "This unit makes frying a meal (chicken, fish pork chops, chicken fried steak or whatever) for two as close to easy as you can get. And the clean-up is mostly painless due to the oil drain on the side."
As an Editorial Fellow for Good Housekeeping, Katie covers health, beauty, home, and pop culture. Outside of the office, you can find her killing it on the karaoke machine or listening to true crime podcasts.
What Your Home Bar Needs, According to Experts
75 Unique Kitchen Gadgets To Spice Up Your Cooking
Editor-Approved Deals From The Amazon Spring Sale
10 Costco Dupes You Can Buy Right Now
