Some foods taste better when they are crispy, hot and crunchy. Sadly, maintaining the crispiness of our favourite fried foods can be challenging, especially if you have to serve them in bulk at a party or an event. But don’t worry! We have listed tricks to keep your favourite pakoras and fries perfectly crispy for a long time and never turn soggy. Sounds great, right? So, grab your pen and paper right now and take note of the tips to keep fried foods crispy for a long time.
Why does your food lose its crispness? What is the science behind food becoming soft?
According to the Journal of Texture Studies, crusted crispness means a coating with a dry and brittle surface in contrast to a high-moisture core. This texture is “desirable for the enjoyment and quality of deep-fried items.” The findings state that fried foods typically lose crispness “due to absorption of moisture from the atmosphere or mass transfer of water from an internal component.” So, the idea is to avoid moisture absorption to maintain the crispy texture of your food. Let’s find out how.
Also Read: 5 deep frying hacks every novice cook should keep in mind
Photo Credit: iStock
Here are 5 easy tricks to keep your pakodas and fried foods crispy for longer:
1. Wire rack is the savior:
Whether you air fry food or follow the traditional deep-frying technique, place the fried food on a wire rack immediately to keep it crispy for a longer period of time. Wondering why? This is because the wire rack provides 360-degree air circulation around the entire food item, allowing excess moisture to escape.
2. Reheat in the oven:
We often end up making our food soggy when we reheat it. To avoid this, place your fried food on a wire rack in the oven. Then bake it for about 15 minutes. This will help your food retain its texture easily.
3. Avoid reheating in a microwave oven
Don’t reheat food in a microwave oven. Heating food in a microwave creates friction between water molecules inside the food, creating steam. Instead, use a conventional oven, where the dry heat will help maintain the original texture of your dish.
4. Avoid adding sauces to dishes
The best way is to avoid adding sauce to your crispy dish. And if you want to do so, wait till the last minute. Apply the sauce just before serving to maintain the crispiness until the meal is over.
5. Pack fried food carefully
If you want to pack your fried food for work, wrap it in a paper towel first to absorb excess moisture, then place it in an air-tight container. Also, keep dips and sauces separate to avoid them absorbing moisture.
Have you got all your answers? So, what are you waiting for? Follow these hacks and impress your guests with crispy fried food at the party.
