Making Crispy Garlic Fries: A Deep Fryer's Guide

Garlic fries are a delicious snack or side dish that can be made in an air fryer or oven. The key to their flavour is frying potatoes in garlic oil and then topping them with chopped garlic and herbs like parsley and rosemary. You can also add parmesan cheese or make a fry sauce with ketchup and vinegar for dipping. While it's possible to make your own fries from scratch, frozen fries can also be used to save time.

Choosing the right potatoes

When making garlic fries, it's important to select the right type of potatoes to ensure optimal taste and texture. Here are some key considerations to help you choose the best potatoes for your fryer:

High-Starch Potatoes

The ideal potatoes for fresh-cut French fries are those with high starch content. Idaho or russet potatoes are excellent choices as they are dense and have less moisture, resulting in fries that are less likely to become soggy. This variety is widely recommended for making fries and is easily accessible.

All-Purpose Potatoes

If you prefer, you can also opt for Yukon gold potatoes, which are considered all-purpose potatoes suitable for frying. They have a thinner skin compared to russets and a higher sugar content, contributing to their versatility.

Potatoes to Avoid

It is best to avoid waxy potatoes such as red-skinned, new, or fingerling varieties for frying. Their high moisture and sugar content can lead to limp and soggy fries that may also darken too quickly. These potatoes are not ideal for deep frying and will not give you the desired crispy texture.

Potato Preparation

Before cutting your potatoes, decide whether you want to peel them or leave the skins on. This is a matter of personal preference, but peeled potatoes will result in a more uniform appearance. Cut your potatoes lengthwise into fries of your desired thickness. Soaking the cut potatoes in cold water with a bit of lemon juice will help them maintain their colour. Rinse and soak them again to remove excess starch, and then dry them thoroughly before cooking. This process is crucial for achieving crispy fries.

Double Frying Technique

For truly exceptional fresh-cut French fries, consider the double-frying method used by professionals. First, blanch the potatoes by frying them at 300°F for about 5 to 7 minutes until they are halfway cooked but still pale and limp. Then, increase the oil temperature to 360°–375° F and fry them again until they are golden and crisp.

By selecting the right type of potatoes and following these preparation and cooking techniques, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious garlic fries with the perfect texture.

Preparing the garlic

Step 1: Choosing the Right Garlic

Start by selecting fresh, firm garlic bulbs with tight, unbroken skin. Avoid bulbs that feel light for their size, as this indicates dehydration. You can also opt for pre-minced garlic, available in most grocery stores, for convenience. However, fresh garlic cloves will deliver the most robust flavour.

Step 2: Mincing or Pressing

For mincing, use a sharp chef's knife to finely chop the garlic cloves. Alternatively, a garlic press can be used to create a creamy garlic paste, avoiding the sharp, bitter bites of raw garlic. The paste can be mixed with oil to create a delicious garlic oil mixture. If you're short on time, garlic powder can be used as a substitute, but it won't provide the same intense flavour.

Step 3: Infusing Garlic Flavour

To enhance the garlic flavour even further, infuse the garlic with oil. Heat a small amount of minced or pressed garlic in a neutral-flavoured oil such as canola, vegetable, or grapeseed oil. Heat the mixture over medium heat for about 2 minutes, then strain the garlic from the oil. Set both the garlic and oil aside for later use. The longer the garlic infuses in the oil, the more flavour it will impart.

Step 4: Mixing with Other Ingredients

Combine the infused garlic oil with additional herbs and spices, such as rosemary, parsley, or salt and pepper. This mixture can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the fridge until needed. When the fries are ready, simply toss them with this flavourful blend.

Step 5: Timing is Everything

When adding the garlic to the fries, timing is crucial. For the best results, work quickly once the fries come out of the fryer. Transfer the hot fries to a large bowl and immediately add the garlic and oil mixture. Toss well to ensure even coating.

Cooking the fries

There are a few different ways to cook your garlic fries. You can use a deep fat fryer, an air fryer, or you can bake them in the oven.

If you're using frozen fries, check the package instructions for the best way to cook them. If you're making your fries from scratch, the first step is to peel and cut your potatoes into french-fry-sized strips. You can cut them to your preferred size, but a standard size is 1/4-inch strips. If you're using an air fryer, you can also cut your potatoes into thin strips, wedges, or steak fries. Soak the cut potatoes in cold water for 30 minutes to remove the starch, then pat them dry with a kitchen towel.

If you're using an air fryer, preheat it to 380–390°F. While the air fryer is preheating, toss the potatoes with olive oil and season them with salt, garlic powder, and pepper. You can also add some minced garlic to the olive oil before tossing the potatoes in it. Make sure the potatoes are coated evenly.

Add the coated potatoes to the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 20 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking. If you're using an oven, spread the potatoes on a baking sheet and bake at 400–450°F for 15–20 minutes, stirring halfway through.

Once the fries are golden brown and crispy, transfer them to a bowl. If you're using fresh garlic, add the minced garlic to the bowl and toss to combine. You can also sprinkle on some chopped parsley and additional salt and pepper to taste.

If you want to use garlic oil instead of fresh garlic, you can make it by cooking minced garlic and oil in a small saucepan over low heat for 3–5 minutes. Be careful not to brown the garlic. Strain the garlic from the oil and let the oil cool completely before frying your potatoes. You can also mix the garlic oil with unflavored oil before frying.

Adding seasoning and toppings

Seasoning

Before cooking your fries, season them with salt, garlic powder, and pepper. You can also add olive oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil to coat the fries. Stir the fries to ensure they are evenly coated.

Toppings

For toppings, you can add minced garlic, parsley, rosemary, grated parmesan cheese, and garlic salt. You can also make a "fry sauce" by stirring together ketchup, vinegar, black pepper, and seasoned salt.

Serving suggestions

Garlic fries are a great side dish or snack, and can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• As a side dish: Garlic fries go well with a variety of main courses, such as hamburgers, brats, chicken tenders, and wings. They can also be a tasty side for steak or a juicy burger.
• As an appetizer or snack: These fries are perfect for game day or as a tasty treat while watching a movie. Serve them with a variety of dips, such as garlic mayo, fry sauce (a mixture of ketchup and mayonnaise), or garlic sour cream.
• With a twist: If you're feeling adventurous, try adding some extra ingredients to your garlic fries. For example, sprinkle them with parmesan cheese, smoked salt, or aromatic rosemary. You could also experiment with different types of garlic, such as raw or roasted.
• For a meal: Why not make garlic fries the main event? Serve them with a side of crispy chicken drumsticks, a juicy bacon cheddar burger, or some baby back ribs.
• For a crowd: If you're feeding a large group, garlic fries are a great option. Make a big batch in the air fryer or oven, and serve them on a platter with a variety of dips and sauces.
• For a special occasion: Impress your guests by serving garlic fries as a fancy side dish. Pair them with a delicious steak or a rack of lamb.
• For a healthy option: If you're looking for a healthier alternative to traditional fries, try baking or air-frying your garlic fries. This will give you crispy, tasty fries without the grease.

Frequently asked questions