If you’re craving perfectly crispy fries with a garlicky, cheesy twist, these Crispy Garlic Parmesan Fries are exactly what you need. Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and tossed in a rich garlic butter and parmesan mix, these fries will quickly become your new favorite snack or side dish. Best of all, they’re made right at home, ensuring you get the perfect fry every time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These Crispy Garlic Parmesan Fries are the ultimate comfort food. The careful process of soaking the fries, par-boiling, and frying ensures a crispy texture that you just can’t get from store-bought fries. The garlic butter adds an irresistible savory flavor, while the parmesan brings a rich, cheesy finish. Toss them together, and you’ve got a side dish that’s crispy, flavorful, and totally satisfying. Perfect for pairing with burgers, grilled meats, or just as a snack on their own!
Ingredients
For the Potatoes:
3 large Russet potatoes
2 to 3 tablespoons cornstarch
Vegetable oil
For the Garlic Butter:
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1 tablespoon parsley, finely chopped
1 tablespoon garlic, finely minced
2 to 3 tablespoons parmesan, grated
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
Make the Garlic Butter:
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In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter, parsley, garlic, parmesan, salt, black pepper, and oregano. Set aside.
Prepare the Potatoes:
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Rinse and peel the potatoes. Cut each potato vertically into rectangular slices, about 1/4 inch thick. Stack them and cut across to create the fry shape. You can adjust the thickness to your preference.
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Transfer the cut fries to a bowl of ice water and let them soak for 30 minutes.
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Drain the water and rinse the fries 2 to 3 times, shaking to remove excess starch.
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Boil water in a pot and add the fries. Boil for 5 to 6 minutes, just enough to par-boil them. They should not be too soft.
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Pat the fries dry and transfer them to a tray or large bowl. Sprinkle with cornstarch and shake to coat evenly.
Fry the Potatoes:
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Heat oil in a frying pan over medium-low heat until it reaches about 250°F. Fry the potatoes in batches for 3 to 5 minutes. They will not be golden yet but should hold their shape well.
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Increase the heat to 350°F. Add the fries back in and fry until golden and crispy, making sure to move them around for even browning.
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Transfer fries to a wire rack to drain excess oil. Sprinkle lightly with salt.
Toss with Garlic Butter:
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Add fries to a bowl with the garlic butter. Toss to coat evenly. Taste and adjust salt as needed.
Serve:
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Serve with ketchup or your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy!
Servings and Timing
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Servings: 4 servings
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Prep Time: 1 hour
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Cook Time: 30 minutes
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Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Variations
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Spicy Kick: Add red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the garlic butter for a spicy twist.
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Cheese Lovers: Sprinkle extra parmesan on top of the fries just before serving for an even cheesier flavor.
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Herb Alternatives: Feel free to swap out the parsley for fresh basil, thyme, or rosemary to give these fries a unique flavor.
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Sweet Potato Fries: Try using sweet potatoes for a healthier alternative with a different taste profile.
Storage/Reheating
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Storage: Leftover fries can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
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Reheating: To reheat, place the fries on a baking sheet in a preheated oven at 400°F for 5-10 minutes, or until they’re crispy again.
FAQs
1. Can I use frozen fries for this recipe?
While fresh potatoes give the best result, you can use frozen fries if you’re short on time. Skip the boiling and just fry them until crispy, then toss in the garlic butter.
2. How do I make sure my fries stay crispy?
The key is to soak the fries in water to remove excess starch, par-boil them for a few minutes, and fry in batches. This process ensures the fries have a crispy exterior while staying fluffy inside.
3. Can I use olive oil for frying instead of vegetable oil?
Olive oil works, but it has a lower smoke point than vegetable oil. If you use olive oil, keep the temperature lower to avoid burning.
4. How do I make these fries spicier?
Add extra red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper to the garlic butter for more heat. You can also serve with a spicy dipping sauce.
5. Can I bake the fries instead of frying them?
Yes, you can bake the fries at 425°F for 30-35 minutes, flipping halfway through. They may not be quite as crispy as fried fries, but they’ll still taste great!
6. How long do I soak the fries in water?
Soak the fries for at least 30 minutes to remove excess starch, which helps them crisp up during frying. You can soak them for longer if you prefer.
7. Can I make these fries ahead of time?
It’s best to make these fries fresh, but you can prepare the potatoes and garlic butter ahead of time. Just fry them right before serving.
8. What type of potatoes are best for fries?
Russet potatoes are the best choice for fries due to their high starch content, which makes them crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
9. Can I use a deep fryer instead of a frying pan?
Yes, a deep fryer works great for this recipe. Just make sure to heat the oil to 350°F for the best results.
10. Can I use a different cheese instead of parmesan?
Yes, you can try other cheeses like Pecorino Romano or Asiago for a different flavor profile, or even cheddar for a cheesy twist.
Conclusion
Crispy Garlic Parmesan Fries are the ultimate indulgent side dish or snack. With the perfect combination of crispy exterior, fluffy interior, and a garlicky butter parmesan finish, they’re sure to become a family favorite. Whether you’re serving them alongside a burger, enjoying them as a snack, or pairing them with your favorite dipping sauce, these fries are always a hit. Try them out, and you’ll never look at fries the same way again!
Print
Crispy Garlic Parmesan Fries
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
The crispiest garlicky butter parmesan fries made at home and even better! These fries have the perfect crispy exterior and fluffy potato texture inside. Tossed in a garlic and herb butter, they’re irresistible and so good you’ll want to lick the plate clean.
Ingredients
- 3 large Russet potatoes
- 2 to 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- Vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon garlic, finely minced
- 2 to 3 tablespoons parmesan, grated
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Make the Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter, parsley, garlic, parmesan, salt, black pepper, and oregano. Set aside.
- Prepare the Potatoes: Rinse and peel the potatoes. Cut each potato vertically into rectangular slices, about 1/4 inch thick. Stack them and cut across to create the signature fry shape. You can adjust the thickness to your preference.
- Transfer the cut fries to a bowl of ice water and let them soak for 30 minutes.
- Drain the water and rinse the fries 2 to 3 times, shaking to remove excess starch.
- Boil water in a pot and add the fries. Boil for 5 to 6 minutes, just enough to par-boil them. They should not be too soft.
- Pat the fries dry and transfer them to a tray or large bowl. Sprinkle with cornstarch and shake to coat evenly.
- Fry the Potatoes: Heat oil in a frying pan over medium-low heat until it reaches about 250°F. Fry the potatoes in batches for 3 to 5 minutes. They will not be golden yet but should hold their shape well. Increase the heat to 350°F. Add the fries back in and fry until golden and crispy, making sure to move them around for even browning.
- Transfer fries to a wire rack to drain excess oil. Sprinkle lightly with salt.
- Add fries to a bowl with the garlic butter. Toss to coat evenly. Taste and adjust salt as needed.
- Serve with ketchup or your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy!
Notes
- Soaking the fries in ice water removes excess starch, which helps to make them crispy when fried.
- If you don’t have a thermometer, you can test the oil temperature by adding a small piece of potato; it should sizzle immediately.
- You can bake the fries in the oven instead of frying for a healthier alternative. Just bake at 425°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Store any leftover fries in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days, and reheat in the oven for best results.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
