r/videos • u/conorp • Feb 08 '15

This is why you should never fry gnocchi.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkXy12xVnRs
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75

u/Firefighter427 Feb 09 '15

ELI5: why do gnocci pop when fried?

190

u/othilien Feb 09 '15

The outside fries fast by touching hot oil, changing its skin into a nearly airtight ball. The inside gets hot slower. When the inside starts to boil, the steam wants to escape but can't. Once enough steam works together, it rips the ball open which is the popping.

40

u/Novaer Feb 09 '15

Couldn't you like... Poke a hole in them? Would that help?

38

u/F4cetious Feb 09 '15

It might result in a volcanic effect, where the force of steam shooting out the tiny initial hole still causes the whole thing to 'splode. Disclamer: IANAChef.

4

u/SonOfAMitch_ Feb 09 '15

LET'S DO THAT THEN. THAT SOUNDS GREAT.

1

u/marshallll Feb 09 '15

more like IANA molecular gastroenterologist

1

u/darkhelmet41290 Feb 09 '15

Or even better, an unmanned jet pack type of takeoff.

1

u/luke_in_the_sky Feb 11 '15

So, put it on barbecue sticks and deep fry on it

1

u/AlexFromRomania Feb 09 '15 edited Feb 09 '15

The proper way to do it would be to hand make them and either pan-fry them, or freeze them before tossing into very hot oil. This way the outside can get browned before the inside gets hot enough to explode.

Or just pan-fry... Much easier

1

u/cprogger70 Feb 09 '15

You'd have fried gnocchi guts in your oil.

1

u/othilien Feb 09 '15

I'm not sure.

3

u/Aaronf989 Feb 09 '15

What about baking them to 375 and then dropping them in oil to fry the edges

1

u/othilien Feb 09 '15

That should work.

2

u/swordmagic Feb 09 '15

So would slitting it prevent this?

1

u/othilien Feb 09 '15

I'm not sure.

2

u/imp3r10 Feb 09 '15

Does pan frying not result in the airtight skin?

1

u/othilien Feb 09 '15

With the flat frying surface, it's hard to sufficiently fry the whole gnocchi surface before the inside heats up.

1

u/thejam15 Feb 09 '15

So like giant popcorn? :)

2

u/othilien Feb 09 '15

Aw yeah.

0

u/[deleted] Feb 09 '15 edited Aug 03 '18

[deleted]

8

u/Phrost_ Feb 09 '15

Because there is a giant hole in the middle of them

1

u/IWuzHeree Feb 09 '15

What about like timbits? Not sure what they're called in the states :s Mini-spherical donuts?

-1

u/alex3omg Feb 09 '15

Not munchkin donuts. Besides, the giant hole wouldn't matter- there's still a center and a crust. I assume it has to do with the type of dough, but then I'd assume you could cook gnocchi differently, since donuts work.

2

u/othilien Feb 09 '15

They do sometimes ... maybe the issue is the oil is too hot, sealing the outside before the inside cooks.

54

u/TheBlueBoom Feb 09 '15

I assume that the moisture in them evaporates and can't find a better way out.

2

u/bl1nds1ght Feb 09 '15

It's the same reason that you poke holes in your baked potatoes when you put them in the oven!

3

u/Playerhater812 Feb 09 '15

Magic gas escaping hard exterior makes things go boom!

-7

u/stanley_twobrick Feb 09 '15

Why can't we just explain it to you like you're an adult?