5 Things That Can Go Horribly Wrong When Frying (and How to Avoid Them)

The first time I ever deep-fried something, I was terrified. I was making yeasted jelly donuts, and I was so nervous that I fried them, unblinking, with a pounding heart and sweaty palms. The potential for disaster seemed huge. But now, about a thousand trips to Deep-Fry Town later, I know it’s not a big deal—as long as you follow the right protocol, that is. So if you’re a hesitant first-time deep-fryer with crispy fried chicken sandwich dreams, read on for all the common pitfalls and the best ways to avoid them.