Fried Appetizers

Fried appetizers are classic snacks and are usually eaten at restaurants where they have deep friers. This pan fry recipe is so simple that you can have all your favorite fried appetizers at home and serve them up to all of your friends. They’ll be so impressed that they can munch on fried zucchini, chicken fingers, calamari, and other delicious morsels.

Just follow the dredging recipe below to make a killer crust on all your to be fried goodies. I like using the flour, egg, bread crumb method as the egg and flour creates a sort of glue that allows the bread crumbs to stick better. Without it the bread crumbs could just wash off in the oil.

Fried Chicken Fingers, Zucchini, and Bell Pepper

Cooking Oil (fill skillet with oil 1 inch deep)

1 1/2 cups all purpose white flour

2 eggs beaten

1 1/2 cups seasoned bread crumbs

8 oz. chicken breast cut into tenders

1 zucchini sliced into 1/2 inch slices

1 bell pepper cut into 1/2 inch stips

Fill large heavy frying pan with 1 inch of oil. Turn to medium heat.

Prepare dredging station next to the fry pan placing bread crumbs closest, then egg, then flour. 8X8 glass pans work best for this process.

Test oil: Place small fresh piece of bread in oil and if it turns brown in 45 seconds the oil is ready (about 365 degrees F.)

Completely cover each item with each dredging ingredient. First, dust with flour; then dip in egg, and lastly roll in bread crumbs.

Place item in oil and repeat until the pan is full but no items are touching. Cook on one side until deep golden brown (about 5 min.) and turn with tongs. Completely cook on the other side until golden brown and remove to drain on paper towels.

Repeat process until all items are cooked. Serve with Ranch dressing or dipping sauce of your choice.