It's time to pull out your fryer. While fried foods have a reputation for being difficult to pull off at home, we're here to prove the rumor wrong. With the right set up and a foolproof recipe at your side, it is easy to whip up a batch of hushpuppies or fried shrimp the next time a craving strikes

Just about anything can be battered and cooked in hot oil. Today, we're sharing recipes for three Southern classics — fried shrimp po'boys, hushpuppies tricked out with tender crab, and deep fried 'gator — all with their own unqiue dipping sauces.

Shrimp Po'Boys with Quick Remoulade
Cornmeal battered shrimp — is there anything better between two halves of a crisp-chewy French roll? We think not. Our take on the quintessential New Orleans po'boy brings together perfectly fried shrimp with a quick, ultra-easy remoulade sauce made from mayonnaise, mustard, pickles, capers and a hefty dose of spice. Shredded lettuce and thickly sliced tomatoes are the finishing touches. All you need to complete the meal is a bag of Zapp's potato chips and a bottle of Abita to quickly feel yourself transported to The Big Easy.
Get the recipe

Crab Hushpuppies with Avocado Aioli
Tender crab meat comes together with a scallion-studded hushpuppy batter to create crisp bites of Southern-fried seafood goodness. The batter comes together quickly before being (carefully) scooped into hot oil. We like to use a mini ice cream scoop to shape our hushpuppies, making for a two-bite appetizer that goes perfectly with creamy, rich avocado aioli. And don't be scared off by the aioli — we've made it easy by whipping up the dip in a food processor. It only takes a minute. 
Get the recipe

Fried Alligator with "Srirancha"
Bet you've never served alligator at a party before. We've made it easy to transform the 'gator's tail meat into a tender bite-sized nugget — all it takes is a little knife work and a short bath in buttermilk. On the side, we like to serve what we're calling "Srirancha", a.k.a. homemade ranch dressing, jazzed up with a generous squirt of everyone's favorite Thai hot sauce. Make it once and it'll quickly turn into a must-have dip for each and every party.
Get the recipe

Photos Credit: Maura Friedman