Can You Fry In A Cast Iron Skillet?

Last updated on July 19th, 2022 at 09:15 am

If you cook often, you know how important it is to have a good pan. Some pans are just better at cooking food than others. 

Fried foods are one of those comforting home cooked meals that satisfy your hunger and just make you happy. Although they take a lot of work to prepare and cook, they are delicious. 

Now, if you have the wrong pan for the task, it just won’t turn out. Normally,you would use a frying pan, but can you fry in a cast iron skillet?

You can fry in a cast iron skillet. In fact, they are said to be just as effective at frying meat as they are at searing the meat. Cast iron skillets can be used for regular pan frying and also deep frying. 

The iron that the cast iron skillet is made out of keeps oil hot and its tall sides keep the oil in. So, if you are wanting to make some fried chicken in a cast iron skillet, go for it! You can use oil in a cast iron skillet. 

Some of the best oils to use when frying in one of these versatile pans are peanut oil, coconut oil, almond oil, and flaxseed oil. You may look at a cast iron pan like something that is hard to use but it is actually really easy to cook with. 

You just have to make sure you are heating it up before cooking in it, oiling your food, and leaving the food to cook and then turning it over.

If you are planning on frying up some breaded food for a nice and crispy meal, you can fry them in a cast iron skillet. Cast iron holds a constant temperature even when oil and food is added to the pan. This means that the exterior of the food is quickly sealed and the interior absorbs less oil. 

Cast iron skillets have a large surface area and allow you to cook a lot of small foods without it get too crowded. So, yes, you can fry in a cast iron skillet. And any type of food can be fried in one. 

If you already own one of these amazing kitchen pans, try frying up some crispy foods for your next meal.

Can You Fry With Oil In A Cast Iron Skillet?

If you are wanting to fry something up in a cast iron skillet but are unsure if the oil will harm the pan or if you can even use oil in the skillet then this section is for you. 

You can fry with oil in a cast iron skillet. You should choose an oil that has a high smoke point since cast iron gets really hot. Fried foods need oil to cook and you can use oil in a cast iron skillet.

Here’s a tip, the more seasoning you put in your cast iron skillet the better the food is going to taste! Some cast iron pans come pre-seasoned, but if it doesn’t, be sure to season it before you cook. 

To season the cast iron pan follow these steps:

1. Grab your cast iron pan.
2. Scrub any rusty or lumpy patches.
3. Preheat your oven.
4. Rinse the pan.
5. Dry the pan.
6. Place the pan upside down on a roasting tray with a grid.
7. Leave for an hour.
8. Turn off heat.
9. Remove the pan and let cool.
10. Keep repeating until you have many layers of seasoning for a nonstick coating on the bottom of the pan.

You can fry with oil in a cast iron skillet. This can be done the same way you would fry by using a regular frying pan. Just heat up some oil in the pan and place in the breaded foods to fry. Fry for a few minutes each side until golden brown and then you will have some delicious cast iron fried food.

For some cast iron fried food recipes click here.

What Can You Not Cook In Cast Iron?

You can cook in a cast iron skillet using many cooking methods. Frying, sauteing, baking, searing, and braising can all be done in one of these versatile pans. You can even put them in the oven or use them on the stovetop. 

But, what are some foods you can’t cook in a cast iron skillet?

Things not to cook in a cast iron skillet include smelly foods, sticky foods, delicate fish, and acidic foods.

Cast iron skillets are a great pan to use for many types of cooking. Not only can you use them on the stovetop as well as in the oven but, you can also fry in one. Here are some reasons why you should use a cast iron skillet:

1. It gives you iron.
2. It’s toxic-free.
3. The food will taste better.
4. It’s durable.
5. It’s affordable.
6. It’s easy to clean.
7. It’s been used for thousands of years.
8. It’s non-stick.
9. It distributes heat quickly and evenly.
10. It’s versatile.

Although it has many uses, some foods shouldn’t be cooked in a cast iron skillet. 

Smelly foods like garlic, peppers, fish, stinky cheese, etc can leave their scent behind on your pan. Then when you go to cook something else, it may take on those smelly flavors from the food you cooked earlier in it. 

Sticky foods such as eggs should be avoided if your pan isn’t non-stick. If you already have a non-stick coating of seasoning on the bottom of the pan, then it is ok to cook these things in the pan. 

Some delicate fish can’t take the heat that the cast iron produces. In order to cook this kind of food well, don’t cook it in a cast iron skillet. 

Acidic foods may break down the layer of seasoning on the bottom of the pan and remove it. Now, some believe this to be true while others do not. But, if the pan is enamel coated then you don’t have to worry about this happening.

Final Thoughts

Yes, you can fry in a cast iron skillet.This is easy to do since you fry in the same way you would in a regular frying pan. 

Because of its seasoned non-stick coating, room inside the pan, and tall sides, cast iron is said to give your food better taste and fry it better, too.