Waffle fries are a delicious twist on regular french fries with their crispy, crunchy exterior and fluffy interior. While waffle fry makers and crinkle cutters make cutting waffle fries easy, you can still achieve the perfect waffle cut at home without any special tools. With some simple kitchen knives, a mandoline, oven, and oil for frying, you can make restaurant-quality waffle fries right in your own kitchen.
What Are Waffle Fries?
Waffle fries get their name from their waffle-like, square shape. They have deep ridges and pockets that help create a crispy exterior and tender interior when fried. The ridges also allow for maximum crispiness by increasing the surface area that gets browned and crisped in oil.
Traditionally, waffle fries are made by cutting regular potatoes into a crinkle cut or waffle shape. Long potato planks are cut into a grid pattern so that the fries take on a waffle appearance after frying. The crisscrossing cuts give the fries their signature shape.
Benefits of Homemade Waffle Fries
Making waffle fries at home has several advantages over buying pre-made frozen versions:
- You can customize the flavor – season them with your favorite herbs and spices.
- You control the quality of ingredients – use fresh, high-quality potatoes.
- They taste better fresh – no freezer burn like frozen kinds.
- You can make them with healthier oil – opt for heart-healthy avocado oil.
- It’s cheaper – homemade costs just a fraction of what you’d pay at a restaurant.
Choosing the Right Potatoes
The type of potato you use makes all the difference in getting the right waffle fry texture. Starchier potatoes like russets are ideal because they get crispy on the outside while staying fluffy inside. Waxy potatoes don’t achieve the same crispiness and tend to fall apart when cutting into a waffle shape.
Look for potatoes that are firm and avoid any with soft spots, sprouts, or green tinges, as these are past their prime. Larger, longer russet potatoes are easiest to cut into waffle fry planks.
The Best Potatoes for Waffle Fries
- Russet – Fluffy interior, crispy exterior when fried
- Yukon Gold – Creamy texture good for frying
- Sweet Potatoes – Fry into tasty, crispy fries
Equipment Needed
You likely already have the basic kitchen tools needed to make homemade waffle fries:
- Knife and cutting board
- Mandoline slicer (optional)
- Large bowl
- Baking sheet
- Frying pot or dutch oven
- Slotted spoon
- Paper towels
A mandoline makes slicing uniform planks easier, but a sharp knife works too. You’ll also need oil for frying – canola, vegetable, peanut, or avocado oil all work well.
Cutting the Potatoes
Cutting the potatoes into waffle shapes is easy to do without any special equipment:
- Wash and dry potatoes thoroughly. Do not peel.
- Slice potatoes lengthwise into 1/4-1/2 inch thick planks.
- Stack 2-3 planks and cut into 1/2 inch wide fries.
- Stack the fry sticks and make crisscross cuts to create the waffle pattern.
- Cut the fries to your desired length. Leaving them longer results in crispier edges.
- Submerge the cut fries in cold water for at least 30 minutes to remove excess starch.
- Pat dry thoroughly before frying.
The key is uniformly thin potato planks and crisscrossed cuts. Resist the temptation to make the cross-cuts too deep or the fries may fall apart during frying. Aim for just 1/8 inch deep cuts.
Tips for Cutting
- Use a sharp knife or mandoline for clean cuts.
- Cut planks evenly for even cooking.
- Make cross-cuts the same width as the planks.
- Keep cut fries submerged in water until ready to fry.
Frying for Maximum Crispiness
The frying method you use can make or break the texture of your waffle fries. Follow these tips for perfectly crisp fries:
- Heat at least 2 inches oil to 325°F in a heavy pot.
- Fry in batches, being careful not to crowd the pot.
- Cook the first batch for 5-7 minutes until tender.
- Remove and drain on a paper towel-lined baking sheet.
- Increase oil to 375°F. Fry the par-cooked fries for 2-3 minutes until crispy.
- Drain on fresh paper towels and season immediately.
Dual frying is key for the crispiest fries – par-cook at a lower temp and then fry again at a higher temp. Letting the fries drain on paper towels absorbs excess grease.
Oil Temperature Tips
- Use a thermometer to monitor oil temp precisely.
- Maintain temperature – adjust heat as needed.
- Too low temp = soggy, limp fries.
- Too high temp = burnt exterior before cooked through.
Seasoning Your Waffle Fries
Seasoning is an easy way to add extra flavor to your homemade waffle fries. Toss the fries with seasoning as soon as they come out of the oil so it sticks while they’re hot. Try these tasty seasoning ideas:
Savory Seasonings
| Seasoning | Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Sea Salt | Coarse sea salt |
| Garlic Parmesan | Minced garlic, Parmesan, parsley |
| Chili Lime | Chili powder, lime zest, cumin |
| Ranch | Dried parsley, dill, garlic powder, onion powder |
| Cajun | Paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano |
Sweet Seasonings
| Seasoning | Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Cinnamon Sugar | Cinnamon, sugar |
| Maple Brown Sugar | Maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon |
| Taco Spiced | Cinnamon, cumin, chili powder, brown sugar |
| BBQ | Brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder |
Get creative and come up with your own spice blends! The key is to add the seasoning immediately after frying so it sticks.
Serving and Storage
For the crispiest waffle fries, serve immediately after frying. If you need to make them in advance, here are some serving and storage tips:
- Let cool completely before storing.
- Store in an airtight container up to 3 days.
- To reheat – bake at 400°F for 4-5 minutes until hot and crispy.
- Do not re-fry them as they will absorb too much oil and lose their crispness.
With the right potatoes, slicing method, double fry, and seasoning, you can enjoy restaurant-quality waffle fries without any special equipment. Ditch the frozen kinds and fry up a batch of homemade waffle fries for your family and friends.
FAQs
What can I use instead of a mandoline to cut the potatoes?
You can carefully slice the potato planks by hand with a very sharp knife if you don’t have a mandoline. Work slowly and make the cuts as even as possible for the best results.
How thick should I cut the potatoes?
Cut potato planks between 1/4-1/2 inch thick. Any thicker and they may not cook through. Go too thin and they may fall apart.
What is the best oil temperature for frying waffle fries?
Pre-fry at 325°F for 5-7 minutes to cook through. Then fry at 375°F for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
How long do homemade waffle fries last?
Properly stored in an airtight container, waffle fries will stay fresh for 2-3 days. Reheat in a 400 degree F oven until hot and crispy, about 4-5 minutes.
Can I season waffle fries ahead of time?
It’s best to season them right after frying when they are still hot. If seasoning ahead, store plain and then toss with seasoning after reheating to serve.
Conclusion
Homemade waffle fries make for a delicious, crunchy treat and are fun to make without any special tools. With fresh potatoes, a sharp knife, hot oil, and your favorite seasonings, you can achieve perfect waffle fries from your own kitchen. Follow these simple steps for cutting, frying, and seasoning, and you will have everyone begging for your secret recipe. So next time you have a craving, skip the frozen aisle or drive-thru and fry up a batch of homemade waffle fries instead!