Here’s the sneaky thing: the moment you drop cold food into hot oil, the temperature plummets. It’s like jumping into a cold pool—jarring and dramatic.
If you overcrowd the pan, the oil won’t recover fast enough. Your food will end up greasy and sad. So, fry in small batches. Yes, it’s annoying. But it’s better than crying over soggy calamari.
Let the oil come back up to temp between batches. Patience, grasshopper. Good things come to those who wait.
