Which cooking method involves immersing food in a hot fat until it is cooked through?

Deep frying is a cooking method that involves fully submerging food in hot fat, typically oil, to cook it. This technique allows for rapid cooking, resulting in a crispy outer layer while retaining moisture inside. The high temperature of the oil quickly cooks the food, creating a distinct texture and flavor profile that is often sought after for various dishes, such as fried chicken, french fries, and doughnuts.

The method is distinct from others, like baking, which uses dry heat in an oven; sautéing, which involves cooking food in a small amount of hot fat over relatively high heat; and steaming, which uses water vapor to cook food without fat. Each of these alternatives employs different principles of heat transfer and moisture, making deep frying unique in its approach and final texture of the food.