An oscillating deep fryer for cooking items such as souffle potatoes which has a deep frying container which is oscillated back and forth and also slightly up and down so as to properly cook items in the fryer. An adjusting mechanism is engageable with a linkage between the driving motor and the frying container to allow the motion of the container to be controlled. Springloaded plungers engage the linkage and the tension and position of the linkage may be adjusted to vary the throw and response.