Which ingredient is commonly used to dust surfaces or lightly coat foods before frying?

• A. Sugar
• B. Salt
• C. Butter
• D. Flour

Answer: (D)

Dusting or lightly coating foods before frying relies on a dry coating that helps create a crisp exterior and prevents sticking. Flour fits this role best because it forms a light, neutral layer that adheres to the surface moisture of the food and browns evenly in hot oil, producing a crisp crust. Sugar would carbo nize and is used mainly for sweet finishes, not for savory crusts. Salt is primarily a seasoning and doesn’t provide the structural coating needed for frying. Butter is a fat that melts and can burn, so it isn’t used as a dry dusting coating. Flour is the standard coating for this frying prep.