Not All-Purpose Flour: Grab 2 Pantry Staples For Crispier Fried Chicken

When it comes to fried chicken, there's a whole canon of breading agents used to produce the crispiest poultry. Boxed cornbread mix imparts a sweet flavor and delicious crunch, but we've also been known to turn to a conventional commercial frying mix for exceptional crisp. When we want very crispy, traditional fried chicken, however, a Southern favorite is a great option, and it's a one-two punch: self-rising flour and corn meal.

Unlike plain all-purpose flour, self-rising flour also includes salt and baking powder and may sometimes include a lower-protein wheat in the flour. This all helps self-rising flour contribute to crispier chicken when fried, especially because the leavening action of the baking powder helps aerate the coating. The addition of the corn meal, sifted into the flour in a 1:1 ratio, also augments texture with its pleasantly grainy texture and ability to form crunchy, flavorful crags.

We've seen proper Southern mamaws on social media whip up old-fashioned fried chicken using a buttermilk and egg dip with self-rising flour and corn meal, adorned only with salt and pepper. The resulting poultry is golden and crisp, with a thick, savory batter that produces an exceptional crunch. There are multiple ways to gild the lily here — we're about to introduce you to some of them — but the basis of self-rising flour and cornmeal is one for the ages. It's been a historical crowd-pleaser, and it still works beautifully today, irrespective of the cook's geographic location. 

It's not an ubiquitous step by any means, but many a Southern home cook brines their chicken before frying for the most tender meat. Buttermilk is a classic choice, of course, but we also love zesty pickle juice as an upgrade for our fried chicken dinners. When you're breading your chicken, however, make sure that egg is included in the dredge because the added protein gives more body for the flour and corn meal mixture to cling to.

You are also free to season your self-rising flour and corn meal mixture to make your chicken as flavorful as it is crispy. Garlic and onion powder are old-school favorites here for a reason, as they complement the flavor profile of most savory dinners. We also like to kick things up a notch with curry powder, ranch seasoning, a packet of Italian dressing mix, or even Parmesan cheese. Self-rising flour and cornmeal are a blank slate in terms of flavor, so you are free to improvise. Another down-home play that we absolutely love involves stirring your favorite hot sauce into your egg mixture to infuse your chicken with a pleasant kiss of heat.

Given its southern roots, you'll naturally want to serve this fried chicken with all the traditional accompaniments. This might take the form of peppery white gravy to drizzle over your chicken and some downy homemade mashed potatoes. If you bake up some fluffy biscuits on the side, all the better! Buttery corn and greens with bacon are two more sides that scream "Southern" and will make a lovely pairing with your classic fried chicken.