Salting food before deep-frying it

Seasoning occurs before the food ever enters the pan or the oven in the case of most cooking, whether sautéing, roasting, or baking. When deep-frying, however, you'll want to flip that rule. According to Food Above Gold, salt can cause the oil to pop and burn you while cooking.

Instead, wait until the food is fully cooked before transferring it to a pan or a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Simply season the food with salt while it is still hot so that it adheres to the still-damp surface. If you leave the salt on the food for too long, it will fall off and season the plate instead. Of course, you can flavor the brine, as in this pickle juice fried chicken recipe, or season the egg wash or batter to season the fried food.