What Fryers Does Chick-fil-A Use to Fry Chicken?
Chick-fil-A is famous for chicken sandwiches, waffle fries, and cows urging consumers to "Eat Mor Chikin." That reputation is backed by consumer opinion. In a survey of 2,000 U.S. adults, 51 percent said Chick-fil-A serves the best chicken sandwich, highlighting why its frying equipment plays such a critical role. Behind the scenes, the fast food chain relies on Henny Penny fryers to achieve ideal crispiness in its chicken and fries. Chick-fil-A uses a combination of open fryers and pressure fryers to craft their popular menu items.
How Chick-fil-A Fryers Work?
Both open and pressure fryers work by immersing food in hot oil—peanut oil, in Chick-fil-A's case. Open fryers can be gas powered with burner tubes in the middle of the well, which lets food sediment fall to a cold zone in the bottom of the well without carbonizing. Operators load food like Chick-fil-A's waffle fries into baskets that are then submerged in the fryer's oil and can be removed when cooking is complete. Waffle fries aren't niche, they're a top preference. Nearly one-third of consumers (32 percent) say waffle fries are their favorite, underscoring the importance of consistent, high-heat frying. Consumers judge fries primarily on execution. More than four in ten say fries should be served hot, while nearly as many prioritize a crispy exterior with a soft interior. These outcomes depend on precise oil temperature and recovery.
Henny Penny's unique pressure fryer design cooks chicken filets more efficiently, pressurizing the frying well to about 12 PSI. This raises the boiling point of water in the product, reducing the amount of moisture lost in the cooking process. To operate, workers can place the items in baskets, close the lid, and start the cooking process using a programmable controller. It will take time to release pressure after the food is done frying.
The Benefits of Henny Penny Fryers
Both open fryers and pressure fryers provide unique opportunities for efficient deep frying that produces delicious proteins or sides for high-volume locations like Chick-fil-A.
What Are the Benefits of Open-Well Fryers?
- Multiple baskets: Support adaptability and customization
- High-heat oil: Creates a crispy texture on fries and proteins. With sogginess and rapid cooling cited as the top fry deal-breakers, fryer performance plays a major role in meeting customer expectations at scale.
- Built-in filtration: Extends oil life and quality
- Large capacity: Models are available that hold as much as 65 pounds of oil
- Stainless steel construction: Withstands high-volume use
- Computron™ controllers: Feature digital panels for easy operation
What Are the Benefits of Pressure Fryers?
- Pressurized vat: Locks in moisture to create a crispy exterior and juicy interior
- High boiling point: Cooks food faster at lower oil temperatures1
- Built-in filtration: Extends oil life and maintains quality
- Large capacity: Some models can cook more than 30 pieces of chicken at once
- Secure construction: Includes safety features and lid locks for safe operation
- Computron controllers: Enable programmable recipes that take strain off employees
How Commercial Fryers Can Improve Your Commercial Kitchen
Open and pressure fryers help foodservice operations boost speed and consistency in high-demand kitchens. Pressure fryers excel in cooking proteins like chicken, improving quality while reducing oil use and cooking time. Open fryers help with crisping items quickly and evenly, maintaining a steady flow during rush periods. Features like built-in filtration and programmable controls are helpful for high-volume or quick-service restaurants focused on efficiency and consistency.
Find Fryers at KaTom to Cook Crispy Chicken
If you're looking at creating or upgrading your fried menu, shop KaTom's selection of Henny Penny fryers. We offer open-well fryers and pressure fryers from Henny Penny to help streamline your deep-frying process.
References
- Pressure Frying FAQs. Henny Penny. Accessed May 2025.
