What method involves cooking food in hot oil?

Frying is a cooking method that specifically involves cooking food in hot oil. This technique can greatly influence the texture and flavor of the food being prepared. When food is submerged in hot oil, it undergoes a process that creates a crispy outer layer while sealing in moisture, resulting in a tender inside. Different varieties of frying include deep frying, shallow frying, and pan frying, all of which utilize oil to achieve the desired effects.

In contrast, searing involves cooking food at high heat for a short period—typically on a grill or frying pan—to create a caramelized crust, without the full immersion in oil characteristic of frying. Blanching is a technique that involves briefly boiling food before shocking it in cold water, primarily intended to preserve color and texture, rather than cooking in oil. Steaming uses water vapor to cook food, which also differs significantly from the oil-based cooking methods. Thus, frying is the only method listed that relies directly on hot oil for cooking.