5 Fried Foods for Fall You Need on Your Menu

Fall is officially here, and that means Oktoberfest celebrations are underway around the country and the world. Oktoberfest celebrates Bavarian traditions, such as drinking German beers, wearing traditional German clothing such as dirndls and lederhosen, and listening to traditional German musical performances. It also means eating lots of scrumptious fried German fare!

Oktoberfest Facts You Didn’t Know

The first Oktoberfest took place in Munich, Germany in 1810. Though Oktoberfest is the most famous beer festival in the world, the original celebration was in honor of the marriage between Prince Ludwig and Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. Despite the name, Oktoberfest celebrations officially begin in September. This is because, over time, Oktoberfest organizers realized the often outdoor festivities were more enjoyable a few weeks earlier during warmer weather.

Other considerations for Oktoberfest include Adidas’ limited edition vomit-proof sneakers. No, it’s not an Onion headline! The sneakers were originally released in 2017, retailing for around $240. Adidas sold out! Albert Einstein might have appreciated a pair of these sneakers, as he worked as an electrician at the Munich Oktoberfest in 1896.

But Munich isn’t the only place people celebrate Oktoberfest. Many German immigrants found their way to the American midwest beginning in the 1830s, and by the 1960s, Oktoberfest had become popular stateside. The tradition only grows, with Oktoberfest now a beloved celebration worldwide.

It’s not a fest without fried foods.

No celebration of Bavarian culture is complete without pretzels, or “bezels” as they are called in German. Pretzels are often served in the familiar pretzel knot, but pretzel buns are also extremely popular for use in sandwiches.

Maria in The Sound of Music didn’t sing about schnitzel being one of her favorite things for nothing. Schnitzel is made from delicious meats that are thinly sliced and then pounded to be even thinner, before being lightly breaded and fried to a golden crisp.

Another popular staple of Oktoberfest celebrations includes German Potato Dumplings, also known as German potato balls. There are many traditional recipes by region, and they can consist of potato that is cooked, raw, or a combination of both. German potato dumplings are often served as a side dish to a roasted or braised meaty main course.

Less commonly known to Americans, it would be a crime to overlook Schweinshaxe, or fried pig knuckle. Schweinshaxe is served as tender, bone-in pieces of pork with crispy, fried skin, and is often served with beer gravy.

Lastly, no discussion of traditional fried Oktoberfest foods is complete without a mention of German Apple Strudel. This sweet, fried dessert pastry is often made with a gooey and delicious filling of apple, cinnamon, butter, and raisins. It can also come with almonds, poppy seeds, cherries, apricots, and many more sweet or savory fillings.

Frying Excellence. Frying Efficiency.

Fried food is a crowd-pleaser in any situation, but Oktoberfest demands it! For restaurants serving high-quality fried foods on their menu this fall, a Pitco Fryer is the best choice. While many commercial fryers waste kitchen staff’s time and make their work challenging, Pitco fryers are easy and safe to operate. This is due to Pitco’s commitment to innovation. The latest in commercial fryer technology, Pitco products operate with advanced sensors and the most significant drain lines in the industry.

Go culinary with Pitco. Get a free culinary consultation from one of your local resources, and demo one of our fryers to develop your own fabulous fall menus. Prost!