What Is Deep Fried Milk? Exactly What It Sounds Like

The names of some dishes in the food world can be awfully deceiving. Puppy chow, for instance, is not a type of dog food, but a tasty chocolate and peanut butter snack. On the other hand, sweetbread is not a delightful type of pastry. Instead, it is a dish made from fried organ meat. For every confusingly named food, there is a dish that is exactly what it sounds like, such as a grilled cheese sandwich, or this filling tomato and herb vegetable soup. Such is the case for deep fried milk. This indulgent dessert is literally just milk that has been fried, albeit with a few modifications along the way.

There are a few different variations of deep fried milk, but the most popular type is probably a Chinese recipe called zha xian nai. Well-made fried milk has a delicate outer crust with a sweet, gelatin-like inside that's delicious dipped in condensed milk or eaten plain. Deep fried milk can even be made with dairy alternatives, which means it's a great way to use up any oat milk that's a bit past its expiration date.

Deep fried milk is made by first whipping together a quick custard. Stir milk, cornstarch, and sugar over medium heat until it achieves a gelatinous texture. Transfer the custard into the refrigerator to cool overnight. Once it's set, cut the custard into small rectangles, or whatever shape you desire. Next, prepare a few containers so that you can dip the milk bars into a batter of egg and flour, followed by bread crumbs. Afterwards, let the bars cool in the fridge for a few minutes before you start frying. When you're ready, fry the breaded custard in vegetable oil that's been heated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about a minute per piece.

There are countless ways to serve the fried milk bars, all of them scrumptious. Some popular pairings include sweetened condensed milk, powdered sugar, cinnamon, honey, and ice cream. Just make sure your eyes aren't bigger than your stomach and you only make as many treats as you can eat; fried milk does not keep well for any length of time.

Interestingly, there are a number of dishes from across the world that are similar to Cantonese fried milk. In Spain, there's leche frita, which translates directly to "fried milk." This dessert is also made by letting a pudding made from cornstarch and milk cool, then deep frying the resulting cubes. One of the main differences is that leche frita also contains a bit of cinnamon that pairs perfectly with the creamy milk flavor.

Another traditional fried milk dish is Italy's latte dolce fritto ("sweet fried milk"). Unlike similar desserts, latte dolce fritto's recipe includes eggs in the custard, which amps up the creaminess. India's version of the snack is gulab jamun — donut hole-esque pastries soaked in rose water and filled with an evaporated milk-based custard. Across cultures, these fried milk treats are made with simple ingredients, and are intended to be quick, easy desserts to enjoy at the end of a meal. You can also make them with milk that is less than fresh, so they're helpful recipes to know if you're trying to reduce food waste. They are classic, comforting dishes with endless room for customization. So, the next time you want to use up some extra milk or you just want to add something new to your dessert rotation, try one of the many versions of fried milk. No matter what you choose, you won't be disappointed.