You want your fried foods to look as good as they taste. But improper use of the basket in your deep fat fryer can lead to foods sticking to the basket. When you pry the food from the basket, you lose portions of its golden coating. Your fried food might still taste good, but it will be missing part of its visual appeal. If you batter your food, place it in the basket, drop the basket into the oil and wonder why the food is sticking to the basket, you may be using the basket the wrong way.
Prepare your deep fat fryer for frying. Fill the fryer with oil and adjust the temperature according to the manufacturer's instructions. Lower the empty basket into the fryer.
Dredge, batter or coat the food you wish to fry according to your recipe. Pick up one portion with a pair of long metal tongs.
Dip the piece of food slowly into the hot oil. Let the hot oil swallow the piece of food in its entirety then release the food from the tongs. Allowing the food to be coated in the oil will prevent sticking, according to the Austin Community College Culinary Arts program initiative, Austin Cooks.