The Incredible Truth About Deep Fried Pizza

The rumors you have heard are true - in Scotland they eat deep fried pizza. This unusual variation on one of the world's favorite foods isn't considered high cuisine. Rather, it's a staple at the late-night chip shops where everything is fried, salty and greasy. People who have tried it say that it's like a cross between a mozzarella stick and a pizza roll - not too bad if you're into fried food!

How to Fry a Pie

It's just as simple as it sounds. Take a slice, cover it in batter and drop it into the deep fryer. Keep it in there for a few minutes and pull it out when it's crispy and golden brown.

Variations on the theme include folded over slices to create pockets for deep frying and serving with French fries in the middle to make a kind of sandwich. Keep in mind that the chip shops in Glasgow don't use the highest quality ingredients on the market. Why bother? It's the deep fried goodness that gives it its taste. There's also the 'crunch,' which basically means battered quarters dropped into a deep fryer rather than the traditional half.

How Does It Taste?

A deep-fried pie is especially good if you like food where the outside is crispy and the inside is gooey. You can expect a crispy exterior and the inside to be filled with hot melted cheese and tomato sauce. Other than that, it tastes just like all the other slices you have had before.

Although they usually deep fry the cheapest frozen food at chip shops, you can make your own from scratch. This can give a sort of 'gourmet' touch to an otherwise ordinary meal. Try experimenting with herbs in the dough and unusual toppings.

A Tradition of Deep Fried Pizza

In Italy, there's a mind-boggling array of different types of pies. There's basically a different type for every tiny village. So, it should be no surprise that Italy has its own deep-fried variant called 'pizza fritta.'

This is a Neapolitan street food that has never quite made it outside of Naples. For the locals of the city, it has a kind of cult following. Like the 'pockets' mentioned above, it has two slices put together and deep-fried to perfection. Since you're not going to find it outside of Naples, this is another easy creation that you can make on your own to your own tastes.

Warning - It's Not Exactly Health Food

If you have read this far, hopefully you have figured out that this is not a health food item. Your calorie count will go through the roof and it will not do your heart any good. However, deep fried pizza is a must-try if you find yourself in Scotland. It's not something you want to eat often, but when in Rome...