All the services in an assisted living community are designed with residents’ health and happiness in mind, and the same care goes into the food. Kitchen teams plan nutritious menus that support the needs of seniors while still making mealtimes something to look forward to.
That doesn’t mean every dish is steamed, baked, or boiled. Many seniors still enjoy the familiar flavors of their favorite comfort foods, including the occasional deep-fried treat. For that reason, you’ll often find a commercial-grade deep fryer in communities that prepare meals on-site.
The key is balance and thoughtful menu planning. In this article, we’ll explore how senior living facilities use fryers carefully and responsibly, adding a little extra flavor and enjoyment to residents’ daily dining experiences.
Comfort Food for The Soul
By the time someone moves into an assisted living community, they usually know exactly what they like to eat, and, more importantly, what they don’t. Many older adults still enjoy classic comfort foods, especially those with that familiar crispy bite you can only get from a fryer.
Favorites such as fried fish, French fries, onion rings, fried chicken, and breaded cutlets remain especially popular, even if they’re sometimes placed on the “best enjoyed in moderation” list. Given how delicious and nostalgic these meals can be, it’s perfectly understandable that seniors want to enjoy them from time to time.
The good news is that, unless they are on a strict diet, even people 65+ can enjoy these foods safely. The secret is to prepare them in a healthier manner. That’s why many assisted living communities invest in commercial deep fryers for restaurants — they’re the gold standard for crispy, delicious meals that don’t pack that much grease.
That’s because chefs can use healthier, high-smoke-point oils such as canola or sunflower oil, instead of the heavier fats often found in fast-food kitchens. They also have built-in filters that allow kitchen staff to remove leftover food particles between batches, helping prevent burnt residue and keeping meals tasting fresh and enjoyable.
Extra Steps for a Healthy Diet
We all know that what we eat every day affects our overall health and well-being. This is why every healthcare specialist is adamant that a healthy diet is essential for the body and brain. But this doesn’t mean forever giving up on the pleasures of life. And, yes, comfort food is a guilty pleasure we all love, at any age.
This is why chefs and dietitians working with assisted living facilities work hard to create menus that are both appetizing and healthy. For instance, the "One-Fry" Rule, where there’s only one fried item per day (e.g., fries at lunch, but baked fish for dinner).
Additionally, chefs often use a fryer for a flash-fry (30–60 seconds) to set the breading, then finish cooking in a steam oven to reduce overall oil absorption.
Extra Safety
Commercial fryers are much stronger than home appliances, and they’re designed with several additional safety features. For example, if the kitchen’s fire-suppression system is ever activated, the fryer will automatically shut off its gas or electric supply to help prevent the fire from spreading.
There’s also a backup thermostat, separate from the one used for cooking. If the main control ever fails, this second system steps in and shuts off the fuel source as an extra layer of protection.
In addition, commercial safety codes require either an 8-inch steel barrier or at least 16 inches of space between a fryer and any open flame, such as a stove. All of these precautions work together to create a safer kitchen environment for residents and staff alike.
Still, Should Seniors Have Fried Foods?
Classic deep-fried foods are indeed problematic for seniors because the digestive tract becomes less efficient with age. Specifically, the production of digestive enzymes and bile (necessary to break down fats) decreases.
But with a bit of culinary ingenuity and balance, it is possible to make better dietary choices and still enjoy some of your favorite comfort foods, even as you age. Using high-stability oils (such as high-oleic canola) and flash-frying techniques helps achieve the same textures and flavors with less oil.
This is why the type of fryer used is important. You can’t achieve the same results with a home-use appliance, especially if you’re cooking for a larger number of people.
So, as long as they have access to a nutritious and well-balanced diet, healthy seniors can enjoy fried foods here and there. It’s all about the quality of cooking equipment, ingredients, and techniques used to create delicious meals.