Crinkle cut fries or wavy fries have the delicious goodness of potatoes with the added interest of a fun shape that works well with grown-up cuisine and tempts even the pickiest kid to try just another bite.
Whether you bake them in the oven or an air fryer, you will love these golden brown crinkle fries! A healthy and tasty side dish that goes well with cod, grilled chicken or meat. Needless to say, it pairs perfectly with any hamburger!
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Jump to:
- Introduction
- Ingredients for Air Frying or Baking
- Crinkle Cutting – How to get that distinctive shape
- A dedicated crinkle cutter tool
- How to cut potatoes into french fries
- Crinkle Cut Kitchen Mandoline
- Prepare the crinkle cut fries for your air fryer
- Give the raw potato strips a bath
- Oil and season the potatoes
- Air fryer tips for perfect crinkle cut fries
- Baking crinkle fries offer another healthy option
- FAQ
- Additional air fryer recipes
- Recipe inspiration
- Recipe
Introduction
A childhood favorite.
A common option with take-out food.
A simple side dish that goes with almost any recipe you can think of.
However, most people think of fast food or less-than-healthy bags of overly-processed microwavable snacks when it comes to french fries of any shape. You do not have to compromise your health to get the same fun and hearty option that pairs with many delicious meals.
With the power of air fryers or your oven set to bake mode, you can create golden brown crinkle fries that are healthier, low-fat, and taste even better than prepared options.
Ingredients for Air Frying or Baking
Besides the properly cut potato strips, you also need olive oil and whatever seasonings tempt your taste buds. Salt is the most common option, but you can create any flavor profile.
Try Parmesan cheese, garlic, spicy cayenne pepper and paprika, oregano, parsley, and onion. Ultimately, the decision depends on your tastes and what you intend to serve the french fries with.
This is one thing that makes baked or air-fried potatoes such a versatile side dish or snack. You can make them taste like almost anything you want. For the classic take-out taste, add salt. If you want something closer to a gourmet restaurant offering, herbs and spices make more sense.
You can even create cheese fries from crinkle-cut potatoes by sprinkling them with grated cheese. If you have picky eaters, make the french fries with no seasoning at the start and serve them with various condiments and dipping sauces.
Crinkle Cutting – How to get that distinctive shape
Crinkle cut or wavy-cut fries are a favorite for excellent reasons. First of all, their distinctive shape is more fun than wedges or plain strips of potato.
They have a certain nostalgia factor, and some insist they taste better than other options.
Perhaps it has something to do with the increased surface area that air fries or bakes to a golden brown, delicious crispness, and has more room for seasonings. The crinkles may even help scoop up ketchup or other dipping sauces and condiments.
No matter why you choose to take this extra step, there are a few methods to cut potatoes into french fries to get that distinctive crinkled or wavy shape.
A dedicated crinkle cutter tool
Unless you have access to commercial machinery, the only way to get that perfect crinkle cut is to buy a wavy crinkle cutting tool.
These inexpensive, handheld kitchen tools look like a knife with a handle on one side or have a broad handle across the entire top. The metal blade has a wavy or zigzag shape.
A crinkle cutter knife is an incredibly affordable kitchen tool essential for making this distinct shape. If you feel like you will not make french fries often enough, consider all the other fun things you can do with them.
Make wavy-cut zucchini chips, cucumber, or apple slices perfect for a child’s lunchbox or afternoon snack. You can even use them to cut the edges of baked goods for a more decorative presentation.
How to cut potatoes into french fries
Once your potatoes are properly scrubbed, follow these simple steps to get uniform potato strips with the distinct shape you want for this air fryer or baking recipe.
Remember that the strips on the outside edges of the potato will have one smooth side. That’s okay! You do not want to cut off tiny pieces and waste time and potatoes when you could be making air fryer or baked fries and enjoying their delicious taste.
Peel the Potatoes – As an optional step, you may choose to peel your potatoes. If so, use a vegetable peeler or sharp paring knife to get all the peel off the potatoes. Remove any eyes at the same time. While potato skins are quite healthy and taste great for potato wedges and thick-cut fries, they may get in the way of the crinkle cutting process, depending on the sharpness of your knife.
Cut Each Potato in Half Lengthwise – Use your crinkle cutter tool or an ordinary knife for this first slice. Making a flat surface allows you to tip the potato over to sit securely on your cutting board. It is much more difficult to try to slice a round potato with the tool.
Use the Crinkle Cutting Tool – Create long strips with your desired width, usually at a ½-inch interval, by pushing the crinkle cutting tool straight through the potato. This may require some effort, depending on how hard the potato is and the sharpness of your knife.
Turn the Wide Strips – Any strips of potato that are still too wide should get turned on their side and cut again with the special tool.
Some of the remaining potato strips will have smooth edges on the exterior of the potato or the initial knife cut. While this does not leave them looking like machine-made crinkle cut fries you get at a restaurant or in a frozen bag, it will not affect how you cook them or how wonderful they taste.
Crinkle Cut Kitchen Mandoline
A mandoline slicer is a helpful kitchen tool with a flat platform, various blade types sticking out of it, and a handle you attach to a vegetable or fruit to safely slide it across and cut it. Most home-use mandolines have optional crinkle-cut attachments included in the box or are available for separate purchase. If you intend to make a lot of crinkle fries or sliced fruit and vegetables regularly, you may want to invest in one of these helpful kitchen gadgets.
If you are not up for the task of cutting the potatoes in these crinkle shapes, consider these simple air fryer potatoes with a handful of delicious seasonings. You can also try classic air fryer french fries or air fryer skinny fries too.
Prepare the crinkle cut fries for your air fryer
After selecting the right type of potato and using your ingenious tool to make the perfect crinkle cuts, you might think the next step is to throw the strips in your air fryer or oven, turn on the heat, and wait.
Not so fast!
If you want your french fries to be crisp and delicious, you must take one extra step.
Give the raw potato strips a bath
Soak the fresh-cut fries in water and dry them thoroughly before you move on to the actual cooking part of the recipe.
How you do this is up for debate.
Some people say you should use hot water with salt dissolved in it. Others suggest a sugar water bath.
However, a large bowl of cold water seems to be the most common recommendation. This is the same method used to make these Italian roasted potatoes. Plan to soak them in a large bowl of cold water for at least 20 minutes or for up to 2 hours.
As you cut the potatoes, transfer them to a large bowl of water to help them stay crisp while removing excess starch you do not need.
There is no need to add salt to the water. First of all, you get more salt in your diet, and secondly, it removes natural moisture from the potato itself. You want crisp and flavorful fries, not dried-out ones.
Oil and season the potatoes
After taking the potato strips out of the water, pat them dry with a lint-free tea towel. A clean paper towel also works.
An external coating of olive oil makes these french fries crispy. The potatoes are dunked completely in hot oil and deep-fried for traditional preparation. With an air fryer or an oven, you still need oil to give you the results you want. Also, it helps the seasoning stick over the entire surface.
Pour 1 tablespoon of olive oil into a large bowl. Add the potato strips, gently toss, and shake them around for full coverage.
Sprinkle on whatever seasonings you choose to use. Make sure you get even coverage before moving on to the cooking portion of this process.
Air fryer tips for perfect crinkle cut fries
How you arrange the fries, the temperature you use, and the cooking time depend on your air fryer’s size and specifications, how many potato strips you are doing at one time, and how big they are. Check the manufacturer’s instructions or website for detailed information.
In general, you want to spread out them out on the air fryer basket as much as possible. Allowing sufficient airflow around all the pieces helps them cook evenly.
Rearrange the fries at least twice during the overall cooking time. After all, you want delicious browning and crispness on all sides and no mushy spots.
Keep an eye on things throughout the process, so nothing overcooks. Serve immediately when done.
Baking crinkle fries offer another healthy option
If you do not have access to an air fryer, you can bake crinkle-cut fries in your conventional oven. Follow the same steps except for using the oven instead of the air fryer.
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C).
- Arrange the oiled and seasoned potato strips on a nonstick or oiled baking sheet. Parchment paper can also be used.
- Bake for approximately 15 minutes.
- Carefully flip the french fries to the other side and add seasoning if necessary.
- Bake an additional 5 to 10 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from the oven and serve immediately with your favorite condiments or dipping sauces.
FAQ
Yes. To deep fry potatoes, you need at least two or three cups of hot oil. In contrast, you only need one tablespoon of olive oil to make a thin coating to promote crispness. This also allows the seasoning to stick whether air frying or oven baking. Whether you are actively trying to decrease your total caloric or fat intake for yourself and your family, air-fried or baked crinkle-cut potatoes are simply a healthier choice. On average, when comparing these two cooking methods, the caloric intake is usually reduced by 70-80-% [source].
Choose a variety with high starch content to get crinkle fries that are firm enough to handle and have the perfect outside crispness you expect. The best option is a russet potato or Yukon gold potato. They are the same types of spuds that you would use for baked or jacket potatoes, gnocchi and hashbrowns. These large varieties also make it easier for you to cut strips and handle them in your air fryer or oven.
Yes, although others all have negative attributes that could get in the way of your maximum enjoyment of crinkle-cut fries. Leave the red potatoes and fingerlings for roasting or boiling. More than 200 different types of potatoes exist in the United States alone. While most of these are not easily found at your local grocery store or organic foods market, there are still plenty of options to choose from. In a pinch, you could make crinkle-cut french fries from any variety. However, it makes sense to choose the starchiest and largest options on your next shopping trip.
Russet potatoes have a lot of starch. This is a good thing when making french fries. However, the excess starch may make it more difficult for the fries to crisp up in an air fryer or oven. This step mostly removes surface starch that leaches out of the potato after you cut it and a bit from the outer layers.
You can even make wavy-cut fries out of sweet potatoes and yams for a completely different taste and look. These long roots are starchy enough to hold up to shaping and air frying well.
Some even report success making crinkle cut squash strips or smaller options out of crisp and Daikon radishes or other root vegetables. Have fun and experiment in the kitchen with entirely different taste profiles.
Additional air fryer recipes
Roasted Cauliflower
If you are looking for an air-fried vegetable side dish with a wonderful nutty taste, take a look at this parmesan roasted cauliflower.
These zucchini sticks are another great-tasting vegetable side dish you must try!
Air fryers are popular because they let you cook food in a safer, more convenient, and much healthier way than other cooking methods.
Recipe inspiration
Patatine fritte is the Italian term for fried potatoes. My mom would often make deep-fried potatoes as a special treat. Sometimes, she would fry them with bell peppers to create an Italian side dish of pipi e patate, peppers and potatoes.
As delicious as my moms were, the crinkle-cut fries advertised on tv were the ones my siblings and I wanted. I guess we just wanted to fit in…
The truth is that I have always been obsessed with the appearance of crinkle-cut vegetables and fruits. Not only are they visually appealing but they really do taste a lot better!
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I am using a LaLiHa Crinkle Cutter knife to cut the russet potatoes if you are interested. The air fryer I am using is the Breville Smart Toaster Oven. Head on over to my amazon store for all the details.
Crinkle-cut fries do not have to be just a fond memory of youth or an indulgence when you can afford a few more calories in your everyday eating plan.
These golden brown air-fried or baked options put crinkle-cut fries back on the menu for lunch, dinner, and snack time. Kids will love their crispy goodness and their ability to scoop up ketchup and condiments with ease.
Parents will, too, while also appreciating the lower-calorie and much lower-fat options made in the oven or an air fryer.
Enjoy!
THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the She Loves Biscotti community where you will find Simple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.
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Ciao for now,
Maria
★★★★★ If you have made these crinkle fries, I would love to hear about them in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!
Recipe
Crinkle Cut Fries – Healthy Baked or Air Fried Classics
Equipment
- Crinkle Cutter
- Air fryer
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Ingredients
- 1 pound russet potatoes 454 grams, about 2 large
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper or to taste
Instructions
- Scrub your potatoes properly. As an option, peel the potatoes.
- With the help of a crinkle cutting tool, cut each potato in half lengthwise.
- Tip the half potato over so that the cut side sits securely on your cutting board.
- Create long strips with your desired width, usually at a ½-inch interval, by pushing the crinkle cutter straight through the potato.
- Turn the wide strips on their sides and cut again.
- As you cut the potatoes, transfer them to a large bowl of cold water. Soak for a minimum of 20 minutes or up to 2 hours.
- Dry them thoroughly by patting them dry with a lint-free tea towel. A clean paper towel also works.
- Pour 1 tablespoon of oil in a large dry bowl, add the dry potato strips, and toss and shake them around gently for full coverage.
- Season with salt and pepper. Toss together properly ensuring each potato is well seasoned.
For Air Fryer Fries:
- Preheat the air fryer oven to 400°F (200°C). Check your manufacturer’s instructions or website for specific recommendations.
- Place potatoes on the air fryer basket, in a single layer, without overcrowding them.
- Air fry for 15- 20 minutes. Turn the basket at the halfway mark. Rearrange and shake the fries at least twice during the overall cooking time to ensure even cooking.
- Remove and serve immediately with your favorite condiments or sauces.
For Oven Baked Fries:
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C).
- Arrange the oiled and seasoned potato strips on a nonstick or oiled baking sheet. Parchment paper can also be used.
- Bake for approximately 15 minutes.
- Carefully flip the wavy fries to the other side and add additional seasoning if necessary.
- Bake an additional 5 to 10 minutes for your desired crispness.
- Remove and serve immediately with your favorite condiments or sauces.
Notes
- Slice the potatoes in half lengthwise in order to obtain a larger surface area that can be roasted.
- Coat the entire surface of the sliced potatoes with the oil and salt by taking a minute or two to toss them properly together.
- Space out the potatoes, in a single layer, on the basket. Do not overcrowd them. This extra step ensures they get crispy.
- Every air fryer works a little differently. Keep an eye on them so that you can determine ideal times for your appliance. As a reference, check your user manual.
- Roasting time is just a suggestion. Feel free to roast for a shorter or longer period based on your personal preference.
Val
I love how these crinkle cut fries look! Such a great idea for kids! Thanks for sharing Maria!
Maria
Thanks so much Val! Hope you get a chance to try them!