The first time I made waffle fries at home, I underestimated how important crispiness was. I thought if I could just cut some potatoes, throw them in hot oil, I’d have some perfectly golden, crunchy fries. Nope. All I got were sad, floppy potato discs that didn’t look at all like the Chick-fil-A variety. So, I did all the methods that I could find after that to solve the problem.

 

The secret? So what’s the secret? A quick boil, a freeze, and a crispy hot oil or oven? The result? Deep-fried, crinkly, golden-brown flavored with spices, these are some potato waffles which can be made easily at home.

 

There’s something undeniably satisfying about waffle fries. I don’t know if it’s the crispy edges, or how beautifully they hold on to your sauce, or maybe the nostalgia for the meal with Chick-fil-a. No matter the reason, you can make this crispy, waffle-fry-coated delight in less than 20 minutes of cooking. You can freeze them later on for when you don’t have the time to make a batch with the fries.

 

Ingredients:

For the Fries:

• 4 russet potatoes.
• Water, for boiling.
• A splash of vinegar (helps keep the potatoes firm).
• Neutral oil, for frying (peanut oil works best).
• Salt, to taste.

 

For the Fry Sauce:

 

• 2 parts mayonnaise (30g).
• 2 parts ketchup (30g).
• A single portion (15g) of brown mustard.
• A drizzle of vinegar (5g).
• A drizzle of Worcestershire sauce (5g).
• A spoonful of honey.
• Black pepper, to taste.

 

Equipment:

• Mandoline with a waffle blade (for that signature shape).
• Large pot for boiling.
• Wok or Dutch oven for frying (or an air fryer/oven).
• Wire rack for draining fries.
• Baking sheet.
• Tongs or a slotted spoon.

 

Instructions:

First Step is to Cut Potatoes:

Wash and peel the potatoes (which is optional but recommended for authenticity).

Using the waffle blade on a mandoline, slice down then rotate the potato 90 degrees after each cut so it has the classic waffle holes.

Repeat until all potatoes are cut into waffle shapes.

Partly Boil the Fries

Add two large pinches of salt and a splash of vinegar to boiling water in a large pot.

Add the waffle-cut fries and boil for 6-8 minutes, until they soften but still hold their shape.

Drain and set them aside on a wire rack.

 

 

Step 3: Frying and Freezing (For Extra Crispiness)

 

In a wok or Dutch oven, heat up the oil to a temperature of 375°F (190°C).

In small batches, fry the potatoes for 60 seconds until they just begin to colour.

Transfer to a wire rack and let them cool.

Lay the fries out on a baking sheet and freeze for at least an hour. After freezing them, you can transfer in a sealed freezer bag for 3 months.

Prepare the French fry sauce:

In a tiny bowl, blend the mayo with ketchup, mustard, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, honey and black pepper.

Mix it well till smooth and adjust seasoning if necessary. Keep it in the refrigerate till serving.

Final crisping of the bottom in three methods.

Deep Fry Version (Best for Classic Texture).

Heat oil to 375°F (190°C) again.

You’ll want to reduce the heat of the oil back down to 375°F once the batch is in.

Take out the fries and place on a wire rack. Then sprinkle salt on fries and serve while hot.

Air Fryer Version (Healthier, Yet Crispy!).

Preheat the air fryer to 425°F (218°C).

Arrange frozen waffle fries in a single layer. Lightly spritz with oil (optional).

Shake your frozen fries halfway through cooking time.

Oven-Baked Version (Easiest, No Oil Needed).

Preheat the oven to 475°F (246°C).

Cover a baking tray with an aluminum pizza screen and spread out frozen waffle fries on the surface.

Bake for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through for crispiness.

 

Tips for the Best Waffle Fries:

1. Be sure to freeze the waffle fries for better crispiness.
2. Use peanut oil for classic fast food flavor
3. Rotate the potato exactly 90 degrees while cutting it to create perfect holes.
4. To make good fries, fry in small batches

 

Serving Suggestions:

These waffle fries pair perfectly with.

Chick-fil-A style chicken sandwiches.

Classic cheeseburgers.

BBQ pulled pork sliders.

A side of ranch or spicy sriracha mayo.

For drinks, try. Homemade lemonade (for that true Chick-fil-A experience).

A food shake that likes classic

 

FAQs.

1. Can I make these fries ahead of time?

Yes! Cut, boil, and do the first fry, then freeze them. When it’s time to eat, fry, bake, or air-fry them from frozen.

2. Do I really need a mandoline for this?

The best way to get the Chick-fil-A-style shape is with a mandoline with a ridged waffle blade. If you don’t have one, you can use a sharp knife and cut crisscross slices, but it’s harder to get them the same size.

3. Why do you parboil the potatoes first?

When you parboil potatoes, it removes excess starch that helps the fries stay crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside.

4. Can I use sweet potatoes instead?

Yes! Sweet potatoes take a little less time to boil and fry, but the method is the same.

 

 

You can make the famous waffle fries like Chick-fil-A at home and they taste better when fresh! Through a little bit of prep work, you can have a freezer-full of reserved waffle fries that will be crispy and golden whenever the craving hits. After deep-frying or baking, these will turn crispy and golden in color.

 

Now all you need is some homemade Chick-fil-A sauce! 🍟😋