Yes, KFC does use pressure fryers to cook their chicken. They swear by high-temperature, industrial-strength pressure fryers for their extra-crispy skin.
Pressure frying is a method where the chicken is deep-fried in a pressure cooker, which helps to seal in the moisture and create a crispy exterior.
The use of pressure fryers is a key factor in achieving the signature taste and texture of KFC’s fried chicken.
How Does KFC Fry Their Food?
KFC uses a specific method to fry their chicken, which involves pressure frying. The chicken is deep-fried in a pressure cooker, which helps to seal in the moisture and create a crispy exterior.
KFC swears by high-temperature, industrial-strength pressure fryers for their extra-crispy skin. The use of pressure fryers is a key factor in achieving the signature taste and texture of KFC’s fried chicken. The chicken is coated in a specific batter made of flour and spices.
The oil is preheated to 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit with the lid off, and the chicken is added to the hot oil in batches of four. The pressure cooker is then covered, and when steam begins to escape, the pressure valve is closed, and the chicken is cooked for a specific amount of time.
When Did KFC Start Using Pressure Cookers?
KFC started using pressure cookers to fry their chicken in the 1940s. In the beginning, small hand-held pressure cookers were used to cook chicken in all KFC franchise stores. Colonel Harland Sanders modified a pressure cooker to fry chicken, essentially turning it into a pressure fryer.
This dramatically reduced the cooking time and produced chicken that passed the Colonel’s strict standards for quality.
Sanders helped popularize the use of pressure fryers alongside original franchisee Pete Harman, who developed training manuals and product guides for franchisees that led to safer large-scale pressure frying.
Henny Penny developed a commercial pressure fryer in 1957, and Broaster came along soon after with a competing product. Today, KFC uses specially designed pressure fryers to ensure safety.
Is KFC Original Fried Or Baked?
KFC’s original recipe chicken is fried, not baked. The chicken is hand-breaded and freshly prepared, and KFC uses real chickens that have already been processed into the desirable cuts.
The recipe for the original KFC fried chicken is a secret mix of ingredients that includes 11 spices and herbs.
The chicken is soaked in buttermilk and coated once in the breading mixture, then fried in oil at high temperature using industrial-strength pressure fryers. After frying, the chicken is held in an oven set to 175 degrees for about 20 minutes to make it crispy.
What Is The Difference Between A Pressure Fryer And A Deep Fryer?
A pressure fryer and a deep fryer are both used to cook food in hot oil, but there are some key differences between the two:
Pressure Fryer:
- Uses a sealed, pressurized environment to cook food.
- Cooks food at a higher temperature and pressure than a deep fryer.
- Shorter cook times at lower oil temperatures than conventional open frying.
- Faster cooking times than a deep fryer.
- Results in better oil life than a deep fryer.
- Can be used to cook a variety of foods, including chicken, fish, and vegetables.
Deep Fryer:
- Uses an open environment to cook food.
- Cooks food at a lower temperature and pressure than a pressure fryer.
- Longer cook times than a pressure fryer.
- Can be used to cook a variety of foods, including chicken, fish, and vegetables.
- Can be used to cook larger quantities of food at once than a pressure fryer.
Overall, the main difference between a pressure fryer and a deep fryer is the enclosed, pressurized environment of the pressure fryer, which allows for faster cooking times and better oil life.
Is Broasted Chicken Pressure Fried?
Broasted chicken is a type of fried chicken that is cooked using a special cooking process that combines pressure frying and traditional shallow frying.
The chicken is marinated in spices and seasonings before being placed in a sealed pressure cooker containing hot oil. The pressure cooker is then heated, and the chicken is cooked quickly in the pressurized environment without losing any moisture or flavor.
After cooking, the chicken is removed from the pressure cooker and finished off with some traditional shallow frying to create a crispy outer layer. Therefore, broasted chicken is pressure fried, but it also involves traditional shallow frying to achieve its unique texture and flavor.
Is Pressure Fried Chicken Better?
Pressure frying is a method of frying food that involves cooking it in a sealed vessel that is pressurized with steam.
This method of frying allows for a lower cooking temperature and shorter cooking time, which can help to retain moisture in the food being cooked. Pressure frying can produce a more consistently flavorful fried chicken than other methods of frying, and can be faster when cooking in higher volumes.
Additionally, pressure frying can result in better oil life compared to open frying. However, whether or not pressure fried chicken is “better” is subjective and depends on personal preference.
Some people may prefer the texture and flavor of pressure fried chicken, while others may prefer the taste of chicken fried using other methods. Ultimately, the best way to determine which method of frying produces the best chicken is to try them both and decide for oneself.
Is Pressure Fried Chicken Healthy?
The healthiness of pressure fried chicken depends on various factors such as the type of oil used, the cooking temperature, and the frequency of consumption. Here are some points to consider:
- Pressure frying allows for a lower cooking temperature and shorter cooking time, which can help to retain moisture in the food being cooked. This can be beneficial as it reduces the formation of harmful compounds that can occur during high-heat cooking.
- Pressure frying can result in less oil absorption by the food being cooked, which can reduce the overall calorie content of the food. However, the calorie content can still be high depending on the type and amount of oil used.
- The type of oil used for pressure frying can affect the healthiness of the chicken. Some oils, such as vegetable oil, can be high in unhealthy fats such as saturated and trans fats. Using healthier oils such as olive oil or canola oil can be a better option.
- Consuming fried foods, including pressure fried chicken, on a regular basis can be detrimental to health as it can increase the risk of obesity, heart disease, and other health problems.
Overall, pressure fried chicken can be a healthier option compared to traditional open frying, but it is still a fried food and should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.