Get ready to have your mind blown! These 10 fried foods are so wild they’ll make you gasp—and you’ll be hooked till the very last one!
TOP 10. Fried Cockroaches
These gross bugs can survive a nuclear apocalypse—but they can’t outrun the fryer. At least, not in parts of Asia where fried cockroaches are sold as a “nutritious” snack. They’re usually fried with garlic and soy sauce to cover up the earthy taste, but even with the seasonings, just thinking about crunching into a cockroach makes most people gag. YIKES—hard pass!
TOP 9. Fried Bamboo Worms
This is a total Thai street food staple—you’ll spot vendors slinging these crispy little worms at night markets all over Bangkok. They’re usually tossed with a pinch of chili powder or salt, and anyone who’s tried ’em will tell you they’re shockingly delicious (in a weirdly good way). Once you get past the look, that nutty, crunchy texture is straight-up addictive!
TOP 8. Fried Starfish & Seahorses
Heads up: These fried treats aren’t everywhere—they’re pretty rare in parts of the Pacific Islands in the Western Hemisphere. Locals usually coat ’em in a light batter before frying, turning their hard outer shells into something crispy. The inside’s soft but a little rubbery, and most people squeeze some lime on top to cut through the grease. Makes sense, right?
TOP 7. Fried Hamburgers
Let’s be real—regular burgers are greasy enough (fries included!). But some diners and novelty spots take it to the next level by dipping the entire assembled burger—bun, patty, cheese, and all—in batter and frying it till golden. The result? A crunchy outer layer that oozes cheese and juice the second you bite into it. Yeah, it’s wild—and a total guilty pleasure for bold foodies.
TOP 6. Fried Bubble Gum
Fried bubble gum dropped at the 2011 North Carolina State Fair, and it’s exactly what it sounds like: little pieces of gum coated in sweet, fluffy batter and fried. The batter puffs up into a crispy ball, while the gum inside stays chewy—so every bite is this weird (but kinda fun?) mix of crunch and chew. Wait, didn’t our moms always yell at us for swallowing gum? Lucky for us, this version’s small enough to (sort of) get away with it!
TOP 5. Fried Strawberries
Tired of slapping fresh, juicy strawberries on your yogurt or shortcake? Want to switch things up with something sweet AND savory? Give fried strawberries a go—they’re usually dipped in vanilla batter, fried, then dusted with powdered sugar or drizzled with chocolate sauce. Warm, crispy, and nothing like the fresh stuff you’re used to—total game-changer (or dealbreaker, depending on your vibe)!
TOP 4. Fried Locusts
Let’s keep it real—most of us want our fried food WITHOUT legs. But fried locusts are a huge snack in parts of Africa and the Middle East, where they’re harvested wild and fried with spices like cumin and paprika. They’ve got a crispy outside and tender, slightly meaty inside—but even with the spices, that “leggy” look is a hard pass for most Westerners. No shame in that!
TOP 3. Fried Pork Sausages
Fried pork chunks (think chicharrón) are *super* popular in Latin America—and for good reason! Crispy skin, tender meat, total banger. But fried pork sausages? Whole different vibe. The casing gets extra crispy when fried, but the inside can be way too greasy and salty—no juicy balance like a regular grilled sausage. We’d pick the chunks every single time.
TOP 2. Fried Butter
Fried butter first popped up at the 2009 Texas State Fair, and it went viral instantly. Invented by Abel Gonzalez Jr.—the genius (or madman?) behind tons of wild fried foods in the 21st century—it’s made by wrapping butter chunks in pastry dough, frying till golden, then dusting with powdered sugar. It’s rich, buttery, and completely over-the-top—perfect for fairgoers chasing that indulgent, “treat yourself” vibe.
TOP 1. Fried Squid Tentacles
Ever chewed on your toothbrush for kicks? That’s LOWKEY exactly what this creepy fried snack tastes like—chewy, rubbery, and with this weirdly artificial seafood tang. The texture isn’t the only tricky part, either; those tiny suction cups on the tentacles stick to your teeth like glue. Pro tip: Grab a floss pick—you’ll 100% need it after chowing down on this!
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