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No-Fry Recipes That Are Full of Crunch

We love recipes that crunch, crack and crackle with each bite, like fish and chips, fried chicken and fried potatoes. But sometimes the large amount of oil used to deep fry them isn’t so great for our health. That’s why we’ve put together recipes that usually require frying, but can be prepared in a more healthy way in the oven, on a sheet pan or in a frying pan with a minimal amount of fat. We promise the results will be just as satisfying.

1. Crispy Tofu Fingers with Honey-Mustard Sauce

When the kids learn that these tofu sticks are covered with Rice Krispies cereal, it’s sure to be a recipe hit. With their crackling texture, plain old tofu will suddenly become very exciting. Plus, the fingers take a nice dip in a creamy, slightly sweet honey-mustard sauce—how could anyone resist?

2. Sheet-Pan Fish and Chips

This super easy recipe is a twist on the classic English pub meal. On a sheet pan, add haddock fillets covered in a mayonnaise and harissa mixture topped with panko breadcrumbs mixed with butter. For the chips, we chose baby potatoes so that they all cook together.

3. Chicken Patties

This recipe is perfect for using a leftover cooked chicken. Simply mix it with peppers, mashed potatoes and cheddar cheese and shape into patties. To make them crisp, they’re covered with a breading made from flour, egg and breadcrumbs. All you have to do is brown in the pan for a few minutes for a quick and delicious dinner.

4. Oven Fries with Olive Oil

Fries without frying? Yes, please! First, heat a sheet pan in the oven, then cut russet potatoes into sticks and soak them in hot water for 10 minutes before drying them well. Mix the potatoes with olive oil, place them on the hot sheet pan and bake in the oven until golden brown. Get the ketchup ready!

5. Skillet General Tao Chicken

Everyone loves General Tao chicken and even more so when you don’t need the deep fryer! Even with less oil, this chicken becomes crispy by browning it in the pan, then tossing it with a sweet, syrupy and slightly spicy sauce for the perfect meal.

6. Crispy Chicken Fillets

Forget about those fast food chain fried chicken fillets which are rich in fat and salt. The secret to this tender, juicy, good-for-you version? The chicken breasts marinate in buttermilk overnight, then they’re covered with a panko-based breading and seasoned with chili and garlic powder.

7. Crab Cakes (The Best)

During crab season, we want to cook this seafood delight as often as possible. In addition to eating it plain with lemon, you can indulge in another traditional way to serve it: crab cakes. If you’re craving crab but it’s out of season, frozen cooked crab meat is just as good. Here we use crumbled soda crackers as the crust, then the cakes are browned in a frying pan and served with a homemade tartar sauce.  

8. Bonus Recipe: Baked Red Velvet Doughnuts

We promised crispy recipes without deep fryers, but these fluffy doughnuts are cooked in the oven rather than in oil. Plus, they’re ready in less than 30 minutes, perfect for giving in to a sudden craving for a doughnut.

Thanks to these low-fat recipes, you don’t have to miss eating your favourite dishes whenever you like. So leave the fryer in the cupboard in favour of healthier meals that are still packed with crispy happiness!