Ok, I'll admit it. When I first heard of this crazy summer trend I was totally perplexed. How does one fry a liquid? Fortunately, ABC News provided a video of exactly how deep-fried Kool-Aid balls are made. And they're not so bizarre, after all!
More akin to doughnut holes than, say, soup dumplings, these treats start off with a cherry Kool-Aid flavored batter. That's right, there's no advanced equipment or culinary theory needed in order to fry liquid. The batter is then dropped in bite-sized drops into hot oil and fried until crisp. Voilà Kool-Aid doughnuts! It's so simple and yet the flavor possibilities are endless. What about margarita or strawberry?
Would you like to try a different flavor of these fried dough balls? Yes? No? The deep-fried KoolAid folks have even provided a recipe, so you can try this crazy (but not too crazy) treat at home if you like:
• Get the recipe: Deep Fried Kool Aid
So, Kool-Aid flavored doughnut balls — Is this just plain insane, or not as crazy as it sounds?
• Video at ABC News
Related: Why Not? Let's Make Homemade Doughnuts!
(Images: Flickr user jbcurio licensed for use under Creative Commons; Deep Fried Kool Aid)
10 Low-Budget Pantry Items Everyone Should Have
Summer Recipe: Gluten-Free & Vegan Strawberry Shortcake
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
TW Salt Mill by Wil...
Which Wall Color Gives the Best Sleep?
Marisa and Peter's Playfully Eclectic Home
They look and sound revolting.
I agree with FelicityBoston. I don't think I've seen a "food" that unappealing or disgusting in a long time.
this is something you eat in a "fatty moment"...then you cry later when you realize what you've done
Wait, let me guess -- Texas State Fair?
did anyone actually think these were made of just kool-aid? Its clearly a kool-aid flavored batter in all the pictures.
And no LSUgrad, they're not from the Texas State Fair. Ohio I think is what I heard. Could be wrong. But the Texas Fair does do kool-aid infused pickles...even nastier.
He says San Diego at the end.
that looks disgusting. I'm sorry but when will we stop battering and frying anything in sight?
@chompchompchomp: "Ohio I think is what I heard."
Listen again, he said, "San Diego." Last time I checked San Diego was nowhere near the beautiful shores of Lake Erie.
Don't diss Ohio.
@ profielder Lol it wasn't a diss on Ohio at all. Calm down. I saw the article the other day and got the names screwed up. Its ok.
Doesn't sound that much different from any other artificially flavored cake batter out there.
Tried them and while they weren't great, they were 100% better than the deep fried corn-on-the-cob they also offered at the fair. And the chocolate cover corn dog was just disgusting.
http://myburningkitchen.com/2011/06/05/san-diego-county-fair-dont-drink-the-kool-aid/
I've never heard of or have seen anything grosser. Wanna vomit just thinking about it.
Who's great idea was this???
Reporting from San Diego, and it's true--the San Diego County Fair has been boasting these gems this year, along with other mouth-watering morsels, such as chocolate-covered corndogs dipped in sprinkles, deep-fried butter and deep-fried baby-ruth-filled jalapenos. I'm a little curious about the latter, to be honest. Might make my way over there ;)
All the comments read like a bunch of second graders who were told they are going to have to eat lima beans.
I'm no food snob, I'd try one. How bad could they really be? They wouldn't be selling them if they were awful.
I'd take a bite if offered, but wouldn't purchase these. And this is from the girl who will eat anything deep fried.
i'll try anything once. if it's not going ot kill me- why the hell wouldn't i?
i tried deep friend butter....this can't be any worse.
mmmmm....red food coloring, saturated fat, and loads of sugar. sacrilitious. not.
deep fried red 40? ....yum
I liked this post because it was informative and let me know about a food (or should it be "food") I didn't even know existed. I don't want to eat this, but it does make for an interesting conversation.
I would try this just to see how it tastes. Anything deep fried tends to upset my stomach, so I wouldn't eat much! They had fried Coke at our fair (Arkansas) before, and I was bewildered at first, until I heard a news story about it actually being in a batter. I guess "fried Coke" sounds more intriguing than "Coke flavored fried dough!" = P
It's a fair food, people! You don't make it at home, and you don't eat it every day, but one day a year you can go outside of your normal diet to pay too much money to try things you may or may not ever want to see again. That's what the fair is about!
dissing states is the equivalent to dissing nations. it's racist. racist people suck.
as for the kool-aid concoction... they kind of scare me.
Um....
The mind boggles.
*gag*
I'm cracking up at everyone's outrage. How many of these same people have eaten Zeppole at an Italian festival or even (gasp)...donuts?
Hm, don't sound too appetizing.
mrsrcubed: dissing states is not, in any context, racist. quite the stretch!
It's honestly disturbing how dumb previous generations are being. I'm only 16 and I realize this is the EXACT SAME thing as doughnuts. The only, extremely small difference is the flavor of the Kool-aid. It's like a strawberry, cherry, etc. flavored doughnuts. It's not healthy, but it isn't any worse, if not better than what most of you buy at Mcdonalds everyday.
:) I would buy one to try. I think it's a fun idea! :)