Best 9 Crispy Fried Leeks Recipes

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Crispy fried leeks are a delightful appetizer or side dish that offers a unique and flavorful culinary experience. Made with fresh leeks, coated in a crispy batter, and fried to perfection, these leeks deliver a satisfying crunch and a burst of savory flavors. This article provides a comprehensive guide to preparing crispy fried leeks, including two variations: a classic version and a spicy Szechuan-inspired recipe. Both recipes offer step-by-step instructions, cooking tips, and helpful variations to cater to different preferences. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner, this article will equip you with all the knowledge and techniques needed to create this irresistible dish.

Let's cook with our recipes!

CRISPY FRIED LEEK RINGS



Crispy Fried Leek Rings image

A whimsical twist on Onion Rings! This treat is delightful as a side, on burgers, or tossed in a salad or on top of your favorite soup!

Provided by TROY RAY

Categories     Other Appetizers

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 large leek
3/4 c self rising flour [you may need an additional tablespoon or two for the correct consistency of batter]
1/2 c whole milk or buttermilk
2 Tbsp shallots, grated fine on a microplane
1 Tbsp cornstarch [plus extra to "dredge" sliced leek rings]
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp white pepper, ground
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, optional
3 c peanut oil [approximate - enough for frying]

Steps:

  • 1. Slice leek from the bottom [white] part to where the stalk becomes light / medium green in 3/8" to 1/2" rings. Carefully separate them into separate rings, discarding the tight, white centers.
  • 2. Immerse rings in ice water and clean carefully. Remove, drain and carefully pat dry.
  • 3. "Dredge" rings in cornstarch. Set aside.
  • 4. Preheat peanut oil to 375 degrees.
  • 5. Place flour in a bowl and whisk in milk. Add grated shallot. The batter should be the consistency of thin pancake batter. When you've achieved this, whisk in remaining ingredients.
  • 6. Coat leek rings [in small batches] with the batter. Shake of excess and drop in oil and fry until deep, golden brown. Drain and sprinkle with sea or kosher salt while hot. Repeat steps until all rings are complete.
  • 7. Fantastic on their own as a side dish, but equally as delicious on a burger, in a salad, or as a topping for soup. Enjoy!

FRIED LEEKS



Fried Leeks image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     appetizer

Time 25m

Yield 5 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 cups vegetable oil
1 large leek
1 cup cornstarch
1 cup all-purpose flour
Fine sea salt

Steps:

  • In a medium sauce pot heat oil to 350 degrees F.
  • Clean and julienne leeks. Sift cornstarch and flour together. Dust leeks in flour/cornstarch and fry until golden brown, about 30 seconds. Drain on a paper towel, season with salt. See Cook's Note.

FRIZZLED LEEKS



Frizzled Leeks image

Provided by Emily Weinstein

Categories     easy, quick, condiments

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 2

White and pale green parts of 1/2 pound of leeks (2 medium), cut crosswise into 2-inch pieces
Vegetable oil for deep-frying

Steps:

  • Cut leeks lengthwise into thin strips. Wash leeks and drain. Dry well between layers of paper towels.
  • In a saucepan at least 3 ½ inches deep, heat 1 inch of oil to 375 degrees. Working in very small batches fry leeks (oil will bubble up quite high) until golden, about 10-15 seconds, transferring with a slotted spoon to paper towels to dry. Season leeks with salt.
  • Leeks may be fried a day ahead and kept in an airtight container at room temperature.
  • Serve on top of soup.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 15, UnsaturatedFat 0 grams, Carbohydrate 3 grams, Fat 0 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 0 grams, SaturatedFat 0 grams, Sodium 4 milligrams, Sugar 1 gram, TransFat 0 grams

COLCANNON WITH CRISPY LEEKS



Colcannon With Crispy Leeks image

An Irish dish of mashed potatoes and greens, colcannon is one of the most nourishing, comforting dishes you could make. The fried leeks aren't traditional: Usually, the alliums are stewed more slowly in butter, if they're used at all. But they lend a deeper flavor, and a crisp, savory finish. For a full meal, crown it with a fried egg or some smoked salmon, or serve a simple green salad on the side. (This recipe is part of the From the Pantry series, started in the days after the coronavirus lockdown.)

Provided by Melissa Clark

Categories     dinner, vegetables, main course

Time 45m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 pounds any kind of potatoes, peeled if you like, cut into 2-inch chunks
Kosher salt and black pepper
2 to 3 tablespoons butter, plus more as needed
Olive oil
1 cup sliced leeks or alliums of choice (shallots, onions, scallions)
2 garlic cloves, sliced
2 quarts of sliced sturdy greens (cabbage or kale, broccoli rabe, chard, collard greens or mustard greens)
2 to 4 tablespoons milk or vegetable broth (optional)
Fried egg, smoked salmon, or a simple green salad (optional)

Steps:

  • In a medium pot, combine the potatoes with enough water to cover them by 2 inches and a large pinch of salt. Boil until tender enough to easily pierce with a fork, 15 to 25 minutes. Drain.
  • Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt butter, along with a drizzle of oil, then add leeks and a pinch of salt. Sauté over medium heat for 5 or so minutes. When the leeks are golden, spoon some out onto a plate to use for garnish.
  • To the leeks in the pan, add the garlic cloves, and cook them for a minute until fragrant. Then, toss in the greens. Season with more salt and cook, tossing them, until the greens are wilted and very tender. If the pan looks dry, add a splash of water.
  • Now add the potatoes to the skillet and mash them (so they're either smooth or chunky), and add some milk or vegetable broth, if you like, and a lot of butter. Taste, and add more salt and lots of pepper. Scatter on the fried leeks and more butter to melt in little pools across the top.
  • Top with a fried egg or some smoked salmon, or serve a simple green salad on the side.

CRISPY FRIED LEEKS



Crispy Fried Leeks image

Categories     Condiment/Spread     Fry     Leek     Bon Appétit

Yield Makes 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 2

Peanut oil (for frying)
3 cups matchstick-size strips leeks (white and pale green parts only; from about 5 small leeks)

Steps:

  • Pour peanut oil into heavy small saucepan to depth of 1 inch; heat to 350°F. Fry leeks in small batches until golden brown, about 30 seconds. Using slotted spoon, transfer fried leeks to paper towels to drain.

LEEK RINGS



Leek Rings image

Provided by Alton Brown

Categories     dessert

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 6

3 quarts oil (peanut, vegetable, or canola)
12 ounces leeks, cleaned and trimmed of dark green parts
1 1/2 cups milk
1 large egg
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus additional for seasoning

Steps:

  • Preheat the oil in a heavy 5-quart pot over medium-high heat to 375 degrees F.
  • Slice the leeks into 1/2-inch wide rings, separating them 2 layers at a time.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the milk and the egg. In another medium mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Divide the flour into 2 separate, shallow dishes and place the milk and egg mixture in a third. Going 1 small handful at a time, dip the rings first into the first flour mixture, then into the milk and egg, and then into the second flour mixture. Working in batches, fry the rings for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove the rings to a cooling rack set inside a half sheet pan and allow to drain for 2 to 3 minutes before serving. Season with additional salt, if desired.

CRISPY POTATO-LEEK KUGEL



Crispy Potato-Leek Kugel image

Inspired by the flavors of potato-leek soup, this kugel is creamy on the inside, crackly on the outside, and completely irresistible.

Provided by Leah Koenig

Categories     Egg     Potato     Passover     Kid-Friendly     Leek     Small Plates

Yield Serves 8

Number Of Ingredients 11

9 medium russet potatoes (about 4 1/2 pounds), peeled
7 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
3 medium leeks, white and pale-green parts only, thinly sliced crosswise
2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided, plus more
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 small onion
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, divided
Special Equipment:
An 8x8" baking pan

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375°. Cut 4 potatoes into 1" chunks and place in a medium pot. Cover with cold water by 1". Season water generously with salt, bring to a boil over medium-high heat, and cook until potatoes are tender, 10-12 minutes. Drain well, transfer to a large bowl, and mash with a potato masher; set aside.
  • Meanwhile, heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet over medium until shimmering. Add leeks, 1/4 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper and cook, stirring frequently, until softened and golden, 5-8 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, 1-2 minutes more. Remove pan from heat and let cool slightly.
  • Grease bottom and sides of an 8x8" baking pan with 2 Tbsp. oil. Place pan in oven for 10 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, grate 3 potatoes and onion using the large holes of a box grater or a food processor fit with a shredding blade. Wrap potatoes and onion in a clean dishtowel or several layers of paper towels and squeeze out as much liquid as you can; add to the bowl with the mashed potatoes. Stir in sautéed leeks and garlic, eggs, 2 Tbsp. oil, 1 Tbsp. thyme, 2 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper; mix until well combined.
  • Thinly slice remaining 2 potatoes and toss with remaining 1 Tbsp. oil, 1 tsp. thyme, 1/4 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper in a medium bowl; set aside.
  • Carefully remove preheated pan from oven and transfer potato-onion mixture to the pan (it should sizzle when it hits the hot oil). Smooth top with a spatula. Layer potato slices over the top in a shingled fashion. Bake until golden brown and cooked through, 60-75 minutes. Heat broiler; broil kugel until crispy crust forms, 1-2 minutes, watching carefully so it does not burn. Let cool briefly, then cut into squares to serve.

LEEK-AND-ASPARAGUS CRISPY RICE



Leek-and-Asparagus Crispy Rice image

This recipe is a masterclass in how mixing textures can elevate a simple, weeknight dinner to new and delicious levels. By giving the rice a few minutes in a hot skillet to form a crackly crust, you're creating little nuggets of crunch to disperse throughout the bowl. Leeks take on a buttery quality once cooked, melting into fluffy rice and crisp-tender asparagus. Lastly, an egg-fried just until the yolk can be used as a silky sauce-becomes the crown on top of a most excellent vegetarian rice bowl.

Provided by Lauryn Tyrell

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Pasta and Grains     Rice Recipes

Time 40m

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 cups chopped leeks, white parts only (from 2 large), washed thoroughly
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
8 ounces asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
3 cups cooked white rice
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest, plus 1 tablespoon fresh juice
1 cup blanched fresh or thawed frozen peas
1/3 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus more for serving
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley and dill, plus more for serving
Fried eggs, for serving (optional)

Steps:

  • Heat butter and 2 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high. Add leeks, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring often, until translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in asparagus and 1/2 cup water. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until asparagus is bright green and just tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Uncover, increase heat to high, and cook until most of liquid has evaporated, about 1 minute. Transfer to a bowl.
  • Return skillet to high heat; swirl in 1 tablespoon oil. Spread rice in a single layer; cook, undisturbed, until crisp in places, about 4 minutes. Stir in leek mixture, lemon zest and juice, peas, cheese, and herbs. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with more cheese and herbs, topped with a fried egg.

CRISPY LEEKS



Crispy Leeks image

Found this included on a fish recipe over at EatingWell website and thought I would share. It sounds really good.

Provided by Jencathen

Categories     Vegetable

Time 22m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 medium leek, white and light green parts only
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 425°F.
  • Cut leek in half lengthwise, then cut each piece in half crosswise. Cut each quarter into long, thin strips. Rinse the strips in hot water and pat dry.
  • Toss in a medium bowl with oil.
  • In a small bowl combine flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
  • Sprinkle flour and spice mix over leeks; toss well to combine.
  • Spread in an even layer on a baking sheet. Bake, stirring once or twice, until the leeks are crispy and golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes.

Tips:

  • Select the Right Leeks: Choose fresh, young leeks with a firm, white base and dark green leaves.
  • Clean the Leeks Thoroughly: Remove any dirt or grit by carefully slicing the leeks lengthwise and rinsing them under running water.
  • Cut the Leeks Properly: Cut the leeks into uniform pieces, ensuring they are not too thick or thin for even cooking.
  • Use a Neutral-Flavored Oil: Opt for a neutral-flavored oil like canola or vegetable oil to fry the leeks, as strong-tasting oils can overpower the delicate flavor of the leeks.
  • Maintain the Right Temperature: Keep the oil at a consistent temperature of around 350°F (175°C) to prevent the leeks from burning or becoming soggy.
  • Avoid Overcrowding the Pan: Fry the leeks in batches to prevent overcrowding and ensure they cook evenly and become crispy.
  • Season Generously: Season the leeks with salt and pepper before and after frying to enhance their flavor.
  • Serve Immediately: Crispy fried leeks are best enjoyed immediately after frying, while they are still hot and crispy.

Conclusion:

Crispy fried leeks are a versatile and delicious side dish or appetizer that can elevate any meal. By following these tips and the step-by-step instructions provided in the article, you can easily make crispy fried leeks at home. Whether you prefer a simple preparation with salt and pepper or a more elaborate dish with additional seasonings or dipping sauces, crispy fried leeks are sure to impress your taste buds. So, gather your ingredients, heat up your oil, and get ready to enjoy this crispy and flavorful treat!

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