Golden Fry Batter

Dry Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour — sifted
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon chili powder

Wet Ingredients

• 2 egg — beaten
• ⅓ cup milk — plus more as needed
• 1 tablespoon butter — melted

For Frying

• neutral oil — for frying
• 1–1 ½ pounds food of choice — prepared and patted dry

1. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and chili powder until evenly blended.1 cup flour, 1 tbsp sugar, 1½ tsp baking powder, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp chili powder
2. Add the Wet Ingredients: Add beaten eggs, milk, and melted butter. Whisk just until no dry flour remains; do not beat the batter longer than necessary.2 eggs, ⅓ cup milk, 1 tbsp butter
3. Rest and Adjust the Batter: Let the batter rest for 10 minutes. It should coat the food in an even layer and fall slowly from a spoon. If it is too thick, whisk in additional milk 1 teaspoon at a time.additional milk, as needed
4. Heat the Oil and Prepare the Food: Pour 1½ to 2 inches neutral oil into a deep, heavy skillet or pot. Clip on a frying thermometer and heat over medium-high heat to 365°F. Set a wire rack over a rimmed sheet pan and pat the food dry.neutral oil, 1 to 1½ pounds prepared food
5. Dip and Fry: Dip each piece into batter and let the excess drip back into the bowl. Lower pieces into the oil one at a time and fry in small batches, keeping the oil between 350–365°F, until the coating is deep golden and crisp and the food is cooked through, usually 2–5 minutes depending on size. Turn once as needed, then transfer to the wire rack and serve hot.