Curly Fries

Intro: Curly Fries

This curly fries recipe tastes just like the fries at Arby's and other restaurants. Honestly. I'm really proud of it. And the best part? I tried my hardest to make it easy to duplicate it so you can make curly fries in your own kitchen. :D

I spent a couple days in the Instructables test kitchen messing around trying to get it right. I tried different amounts of seasoning, I tried cornstarch instead of flour, I tried dregding the fries instead of using a wet batter, etc. After five tries, the following recipe was the winner.

And really, you don't even need to buy a special cutter and do curly fries. This batter and seasoning will work just as well on regular fries. :D

STEP 1: What You'll Need:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup flour
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon onion powder 
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon cayenne
• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 1(ish) cup water
• 3-5 russet potatoes

You'll also want to get one of these fancy curly fry cutters.

Additional useful hardware:

• a deep fryer or pan of oil at 350 F
• a sheet pan
• a baking rack
• papertowels
• a large bowl
• a large-ish ziploc bag or other foodsafe plastic bag

STEP 2: Cut the Potatoes

Scrub your potatoes first - keeping the skins on is much yummier.

I found that the best way to use the cutter is to slice off maybe a half inch from one end of the potato. This will give you a nice flat surface area to get the potato to adhere to the prongs.

Also, bigger potatoes work better. Small potatoes result in less spirals.

STEP 3: Soak the Potatoes

Once the potatoes are cut, fill a large bowl or measuring cup with the hottest water you can get out of your tap.

Add the potatoes to the hot water and let them soak for 15-20 minutes. 

There are two reasons we're doing this: crispier fries AND they cook faster in the oil later since they're cooking a little now.

STEP 4: Make the Batter + Battering the Fries

Add your spices and flour into a large bag. Shake it well until it's all combined. Now you can start adding water. A little less than one cup gave me a great consistency. You want it to be a fairly thin batter. :)

Work the bag with your hands to get all the clumps out!

When the fries are done soaking, pull them out by the handfuls, shake off the excess water and dump them in the batter bag. (You might need to break up some of the longer spirals!) Shake the bag and massage it until everything is nicely coated.

STEP 5: Frying

You'll be frying them for 3-5 minutes in 350 F oil. 

Play around with the time a bit - three minutes was pretty much perfect for me. If I took it to five minutes they'd get dried out but look prettier.

Two tips for frying these:

1. Don't crowd the basket. 
2. Don't shake off too much excess batter.

STEP 6: Let Cool and Eat!

When they're done frying, transfer them to a baking rack over a baking sheet lined with towels. This will let the excess oil drain off quickly and keep them from getting mushy. :D

Don't add any extra salt until you try one - they're pretty salty as is! Enjoy!

Comments

[SofiaQ4]

And i just made normal froes since i didnt have the cutter to make curly fries

[SofiaQ4]

So i made these, eagerly waiting to break our fast since its ramadan, and O M G...i mean O M G..my husband and i just looked at one another, we knew instantly that this is a keeper. To say they taste exactly like the curly fries we get at hardees is an understatement... Trust me i never ever write reveiws, just say a little prayer for the one posting the recipe, this required prayers and praise thankyou!

[tammyk73881]

they are great. they are our family favorite now

[ArielL18]

I make these ALL THE TIME now. they've become a family favorite. I don't use the Cayenne, and they taste great without it.

[jessyratfink]

Oh yay!! That makes me so happy to hear :D :D :D

[kasieswain]

OMG! This recipe is delicious. I own a restaurant and I'm picky. I loved this. I made sweet potatoes and they are divine!

[jessyratfink]

Ohhhhhh that sounds so good. I need to get a fryer at home to try that out. :D

[kasieswain]

OMG. I own a restaurant, and I have to say these are delicious. I love sweet potatoes so that's what I made and they are divine!

[DavidP126]

They don't have to be cut curly. You can use regular frozen fries or crinkle cut fries and follow oven bake directions

[Ho0ksie125]

Why when I look something up, yours is always the best?

[barsonbolian]

It looks great! But I have some questions:

How can I cut the potatoes into curly shape without this cutter?
How do I know the potatoes are done soaking?
Is it possible to just put the fries in a pan with an Inch of oil and fry them without the basket?

Thank you!

[jessyratfink]

I've heard of people using spiral cutters for apples! The potatoes will be done soaking once they're very slightly translucent. :)

I wouldn't recommend frying them in that little oil if you do them curly-style - you'll end up with raw bits in the middle!

[EvolvedAwesome]

mmm, YUM!

[kondzio29]

In Poland we have these in McDonald's Great work! I will try to make them

[ValZ1]

Have you tried to bake these in the oven instead of a deep fryer? Trying something as bit healthier? What is the baking temperature and time?

[jessyratfink]

I did - because it's a wet batter it's pretty tricky! I did lots of testing trying to bake them before I went to frying them, but they always turned out soggy and dry all at the same time.

I also prefer baking to frying, but just could get it to work in this case!

Though maybe a cornstarch + spice mix could make it happen, I just never tested it enough.

[lbeach11]

I am going to try and bake them in the oven tonight i will let you know how they good and if they are any better.

[hythutyhrts]

ya like it does sound yummy and all but u know baking them will be better just saying + ive never gone to arbys. They say they make good curly fries. Have you ever tried the adventure city curly fries they where bomb! u guys should go there. just saying

[tatiannastevenson]

Omg. These were amazing! Tried them last night with regular fries and they were bomb!!! We also made fried chicken tenders that paired nicely with theses! Thank you for helping me satisfy my Arbys craving! :)

[HowToBen]

Just like at Arby's. But can you please make chicken tenders just like theirs? They are so f***ing good.