Which cooking method is most likely to create a significant calorie addition to a meal?

Frying is most likely to create a significant calorie addition to a meal because it involves cooking food in oil or fat. This method significantly increases the calorie content since the food absorbs the fat during the cooking process. For example, a piece of chicken or vegetables that are fried can contain a much higher amount of calories compared to the same items prepared using other cooking methods such as grilling, steaming, or baking.

In contrast, grilling and steaming are methods that typically require little to no added fat, preserving the natural nutrients of the food without substantially increasing the caloric content. Baking can involve added fats, but it is generally more controlled and may not contribute as many extra calories per serving compared to frying. Thus, frying stands out as the method that introduces the highest amount of calories due to the nature of how it is performed.