Deep-Fried Mars Bars: A Guilty Pleasure or a Food Crime?
Ah, the deep-fried Mars bar—a dish that seems to defy all logic, common sense, and possibly a few health regulations. If you’ve ever wandered into a Scottish chippy (fish and chip shop) and spotted this bizarre culinary offering on the menu, you might have asked yourself: “Why does this exist?” The answer is simple—it’s Scotland, where deep-frying is not just a cooking method, it’s an art form. But is the deep-fried Mars bar a stroke of genius or an unspeakable food crime? Let’s dive in and debate this artery-clogging delicacy.
The Origin Story: Accidental Brilliance?
Legend has it that the deep-fried Mars bar was born in 1992 at a chip shop in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, when a curious customer jokingly requested one of their favourite chocolate bars be deep-fried. The chip shop owner, either as a laugh or out of sheer Scottish determination to fry anything, dropped a Mars bar into the batter and sent it sizzling into the fryer.
What emerged was a molten, crispy-coated confectionary that immediately divided the nation (and, likely, the chef’s conscience). Some hailed it as a masterpiece of indulgence, while others saw it as a national disgrace. Either way, the deep-fried Mars bar has gone down in Scottish history—much like your cholesterol levels after eating one.
The Pros: A Culinary Stroke of Genius?
Let’s start by giving the deep-fried Mars bar its due. While it may sound utterly bonkers, there are a few reasons to consider it a stroke of genius.
1. Sweet and Salty Perfection
You might not expect it, but deep-frying a Mars bar somehow elevates its flavour. The batter forms a golden, crunchy shell, which contrasts beautifully with the gooey caramel and nougat inside. It’s the ultimate sweet-salty combo: the sugar rush of the bar paired with the savoury fried batter creates a taste sensation that’s bizarrely addictive.
2. The Perfect Hangover Cure
Imagine you’re in Edinburgh after a late-night pub crawl, and you’re craving something greasy and comforting. Enter the deep-fried Mars bar, Scotland’s ultimate hangover food. It’s like your best mate during a bad morning after—bad for you, yes, but there when you need it most. The sheer sugar content combined with fried goodness is almost guaranteed to lift your spirits (though your stomach might not agree).
3. It’s a Cultural Experience
Eating a deep-fried Mars bar is almost like a rite of passage for visitors to Scotland. Trying one is an unspoken dare, a badge of honour that says, “I’ve stared dietary logic in the face and laughed.” As bizarre as it is, ordering one is like shaking hands with Scotland’s wacky side, and who doesn’t want that?
The Cons: A Crime Against Culinary Decency?
On the flip side, the deep-fried Mars bar might just be the ultimate food crime. Here are a few reasons why.
1. The Nutritional Nightmare
If there’s anything you shouldn’t deep-fry, it’s probably a Mars bar. You’re essentially taking something already unhealthy and encasing it in a layer of oil-soaked batter. Each bite is like a tiny health insurance claim waiting to happen. The calorie count? Let’s just say that after one of these, you’ll have consumed more sugar and fat than most people would eat in a week. It’s not a snack—it’s a life choice.
2. A Messy Affair
Let’s be honest: the deep-fried Mars bar is not exactly easy to eat. The outer batter may look inviting, but inside lies a molten mess of chocolate, caramel, and nougat that threatens to spill out at any moment. One wrong bite, and you could be wearing your dessert instead of eating it. If you’re on a first date, avoid this—unless you want to end the night looking like a toddler after their first birthday cake.
3. Offending the Chocolate Gods
Some purists would argue that deep-frying a Mars bar is tantamount to sacrilege. Mars bars are perfectly fine in their original form—why ruin a good thing? The process of deep-frying can make the bar lose its familiar structure, turning it into a gooey mess. Some would say it’s an insult to chocolate lovers everywhere, who rightly believe that a Mars bar is best enjoyed as it was intended—without a dunk in the deep fryer.
The Verdict: Guilty Pleasure or Food Crime?
So, is the deep-fried Mars bar a guilty pleasure or an unspeakable food crime? The truth probably lies somewhere in between. It’s undeniably indulgent, a treat so excessive that even the most seasoned sweet-tooth might hesitate before ordering one. But it’s also fun, delicious in a junk-food sort of way, and a quirky part of Scottish food culture.
For those with a sense of adventure (and a strong stomach), it’s a must-try at least once. Yes, it might shave a few minutes off your life expectancy, but those are minutes you’re probably spending doing something less fun than eating a deep-fried Mars bar. For others, it remains an enigma—a food that shouldn’t exist, but somehow does, much like Scotland’s culinary answer to a dare gone too far.
Conclusion: Try It at Your Own Risk!
If you’re feeling brave (or perhaps just very, very hungry), go ahead and give the deep-fried Mars bar a whirl. But be warned: this guilty pleasure might just become your new food obsession… or leave you questioning your life choices.
And while you’re in Scotland, why not explore more of the country’s iconic, quirky dishes? Our Edinburgh food tour offers a variety of local delicacies, from haggis to whisky tastings. Book now to experience Scotland’s culinary delights (deep-fried or otherwise) firsthand!
