Some people like normal desserts, such as spotted dick and Knickerbocker glory. Others want to put their life on the line in the name of pudding.

Enter the deep-fried Mars Bar. It’s a myth. It’s a legend. And it’s also available to eat if you fancy putting your health on the line. Let’s do this!

What’s a Deep-Fried Mars Bar?

The deep-fried Mars Bar is a chocolate bar that’s smothered in batter and deep fried in oil. The idea was invented in Scotland.

It’s since grown in popularity, in part due to rapidly becoming a symbol of an unhealthy diet.

Along with haggis, the dish has rapidly become somewhat iconic and a symbol of the Scottish way of things.

However, it’s also been controversial and has become a symbol of the unhealthy lifestyle that affects much of the UK.

Fast food, fried foods, fat, the chippy etc. None of this is very good for us, but we’re all gagging for it in the UK and our waistlines suffer.

Is the Deep-Fried Mars Bar Unhealthy?

Yes. It’s one of the most unhealthy snacks in Scotland, the UK, and the world. That little thing packs a mighty 1,200 calories with it.

And its so packed out with fat it slows the supply of blood to the brain.

In fact, in 2014 there was a study by Professor Matthew Walters at Glasgow’s Western Infirmary into the dangers of the dish.

He’s director of the Scottish Stroke Research Network. His findings from a study suggest that eating a deep-fried Mars Bar could be enough to risk a stroke in at-risk individuals.

They could suffer one within minutes of eating the thing.

So if you eat one of the things are survive, you’ve still got the problem of spending the next year trying to lose the 10 stone the thing adds to your bulk. Think wisely before purchasing!

What’s the History of the Deep-Fried Mars Bar?

The deep-fried Mars Bar was born in 1992 thanks to the genius of one John Davie. He invented it in Stonehaven, near to Aberdeen.

That was in his chippy called the Haven Chip Bar. Apparently, that’s now called The Carron Fish Bar.

So, yes, it’s thought of as the birthplace for the dish. Which rapidly went on to gain much media attention due to its stunningly unhealthy qualities.

After appearing in many Scottish broadsheets, the very gluttonous nature of the meal started to catch on. Here’s a local feature from August 24th, 1995.

Then the dish got a more nationwide appeal in 1995 when TV presenter Keith Chegwin (“Cheggers”) taste tested one live on Channel 4’s The Big Breakfast. The BBC World Service promptly covered the story, too.

Eventually the dish made its way over to America, when in 2004 TV show host Jay Leno give the food a try.

In 2015 there was CONTROVERSY when The Carron Fish Bar went up against the local council regarding a sign outside the building. Behold!

Here’s another news item on this story, covered by Sky News.

So, yes, The Carron Fish Bar was told to remove the sign to “improve the look” of the town. To which we must say, Stonehaven, you should be PROUD of this absolute tasty monstrosity.

However, Aberdeenshire Council responded to these news items by indicating it was not trying to get the shop’s banner removed.

Instead, it highlighted private property owners nearby had asked for improvements in the area. So it seems the chippy got a free bit of press there for no real reason.

Mars Bars were created in 1932 by American businessman Forrest Mars, Sr. They were actually first marketed in Slough, England, before going on to become globally popular.

Mars Incorporated is aware of the deep-fried version of its chocolate bar.

Whilst seemingly fine about it, the business has distanced itself from the recipe. In 2012 a disclaimer notice went up in the Carron Fish Bar from Mars.

And because of all this press attention, it’s usually tourists who show interest about eating them.

Locals got that achievement wrapped up in the 1990s, so it’s curious travellers eager to put their life on the line who give it a whirl.

How Do You Make a Deep-Fried Mars Bar?

If you think you can eat one of these and get away without immediate heart failure, the recipe is quite straightforward.

Obviously, you’ll need a Mars Bar (duh). And you’ll need to batter the thing up and deep fry it for a few minutes. Tremendous!

Some people even serve it with ice cream just to, you know, ramp up the unhealthy factor to the total extreme.

Of course, you could just travel to Scotland to try it out. Along with haggis.

Or… you could save your cholesterol and just have some fish & chips instead. Because in the UK we do food healthy.