Put a huge smile on everyone's face when you make a batch of these irresistible homemade Curly Fries in your Air Fryer! You will love the perfect golden brown crunch that rivals Arby's curly fries. Warning: These fries are so addictive your whole family will be reaching for seconds (and thirds) - so make lots!
Who doesn't love crispy, golden, and delicious curly fries? With this homemade curly fries recipe, you can make your own restaurant-quality fries right at home! Not only are they healthier than the deep-fried alternative, but they're also incredibly easy to make.
These crispy fries are perfect for a quick snack, a side dish, or even as a fun appetizer for your next party. Pair them with your favorite dipping sauce, such as ketchup or garlic aioli, for an extra burst of flavor.
And for french fry lovers, check out my recipes for Air Fryer Frozen French Fries, Air Fryer Frozen Waffle Fries, Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges, Crispy Air Fryer Potatoes, and Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries for even more delicious options!
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🥔 What Are Curly Fries?
Curly fries are a popular side dish made from spiral-cut potatoes. These fries have a unique shape with ridges that provide an extra crispy texture. They are seasoned with herbs and spices, making them incredibly crispy and flavorful. I think that the best way to cook these fries is by using hot air in the air fryer - they get so crispy!
❤️ Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy: These homemade curly fries can be prepared in no time, making them perfect for busy weeknights.
- Healthier alternative: Using the air fryer, you can achieve crispy fries with less oil than the deep-fried variety.
- Fresh ingredients: This easy side dish is made with fresh potatoes so that each bite is full of flavor.
- Customizable: You can choose your favorite herbs and spices to season the fries.
- Fun and impressive: Curly fries are such a fun shape and add fun to any meal - both kids and adults love them!
🥔 Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
All of the ingredients for this easy recipe can be found at your local grocery store.
- Potatoes: Choose starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold, as they yield the best texture for curly fries. However, I have made them with red potatoes and they turned out just as delicious.
- Olive oil: You can use avocado oil or canola oil as alternatives.
- Seasonings: I used seasoning salt, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and garlic powder. However, feel free to use your favorite spices. Some great ones are paprika, onion powder, and cayenne pepper if you like things a bit spicy!
♨️ How To Make Crispy Curly Fries in Air Fryer
Step 1: Wash and scrub the potatoes. Peel the potatoes if you like. Use a spiralizer to create the curly shape. If you don't have a spiralizer, you can make thick curly fries using a skewer and a knife. I use a KitchenAid Spiralizer Attachment - it is heavy-duty and does a great job.
Step 2: Place the potato spirals in a bowl and drizzle them with olive oil. Toss to coat evenly.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, combine the garlic powder, Italian seasoning, seasoning salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the potatoes and toss until well-coated.
Step 4: Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F.
Step 5: Arrange the seasoned potato spirals in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. You will likely need to cook the potatoes in batches. Keep cooked fries warm in the oven on a baking sheet.
Step 6: Cook the curly fries in the air fryer for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.
Step 7: Once the fries are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer with tongs and serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce. I like ketchup, aioli, or burger sauce.
Step 8: Enjoy!
📖 Variations
- Frozen Curly Fries: No oil is needed. Spread frozen fries in the basket, and cook for 10-12 minutes. Sprinkle with seasoning afterward.
- Spicy: Add a kick of heat by adding cayenne pepper, chili powder, or your favorite spicy seasoning.
- Spicy Cajun: Toss the curly fries with Cajun seasoning before air frying.
- Parmesan Garlic: Add grated Parmesan cheese and minced garlic to the curly fries before air frying. The air fryer's heat will melt the cheese, creating crispy, cheesy garlic fries.
- Ranch Seasoned: Sprinkle dried ranch seasoning mix on the fries before air frying. This will give your fries a tangy, herby flavor that pairs well with ranch dressing.
- Loaded Cheese: Top your cooked curly fries with shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese and place them back in the air fryer until the cheese melts and turns golden brown. Finish them off by adding chopped green onions, crispy bacon bits, and a dollop of sour cream. Yum!
- Buffalo Style: Toss cooked curly fries in buffalo sauce (a mixture of hot sauce and melted butter) before returning them to the air fryer for a few minutes to crisp up again.
- Taco-seasoned: Sprinkle taco seasoning over curly fries in the air fryer for a zesty Mexican-inspired flavor. Serve them with salsa and guacamole for a delicious snack or side dish.
🍽 Equipment
To make this recipe, you'll need an air fryer. Because air fryers come in different brands and models, they all cook differently. Currently, my favorite air fryer is the Instant Pot Vortex Air Fryer.
I also have a Ninja Foodi Air Fryer with dual drawers, which is handy if you want to cook two different things at the same time.
💭 Expert Tips
- Use starchy potatoes like russets as they hold their shape better and get really crispy.
- Toss the potatoes well with oil and seasoning to ensure that they get crispy and brown.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leaving enough space between the fries will allow them to cook evenly and become crispy.
- Shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure that the fries cook evenly on all sides.
- Don't be afraid to experiment with different spices to make your own seasoning.
- If you like extra crispy fries, spray them with extra oil halfway through the cooking time after you flip them.
- The cook time can vary depending on the thickness of your fries, your air fryer model, and the size of your air fryer. Keep an eye on them and adjust the cooking time if necessary. The fries should be crispy and golden brown.
❓ Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can cook these fries in a regular oven. Preheat your oven to 400°F and bake for around 20-25 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
While these fries are best served immediately after cooking, you can keep them warm in the oven on a baking sheet.
This recipe makes around 4 servings, but you can easily double or triple the recipe as needed.
Yes! Reheating leftover curly fries is easy in an air fryer. Simply preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and cook for about 5 minutes or until they are heated through and crispy again.
If you have leftover cooked curly fries, let them cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container or ziplock bag. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
🥗 What To Serve With Fresh Curly Fries
You can serve these fries with so many things! Some of my favorites are Air Fryer Chicken Tenders, Grilled Smash Burgers, and Smoked Burgers.
They also go great with Air Fryer Tilapia, Air Fryer Tuna Patties, and Air Fryer Chicken Breasts.
Or even Air Fryer Chicken Legs, Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs, or Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breasts.
👪 More Air Fryer Recipes You'll Love
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📋 Recipe
How To Make Homemade Curly Fries In Air Fryer
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound potatoes washed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon seasoning salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Peel the potatoes if desired. Use a spiralizer to create the curly shape. If you don't have a spiralizer, you can make thick curly fries using a skewer and a knife. I use a KitchenAid Spiralizer Attachment - it is heavy-duty and does a great job.
- Step 2: Place the potato spirals in a bowl and drizzle them with olive oil. Toss to coat evenly.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, combine the garlic powder, Italian seasoning, seasoning salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the potatoes and toss until well-coated.
- Step 4: Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- Step 5: Arrange the seasoned potato spirals in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. You will likely need to cook the fries in batches. Keep cooked fries warm in the oven on a baking sheet.
- Step 6: Cook the curly fries in the air fryer for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Step 7: Once the fries are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer with tongs and serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce. I like ketchup, aioli, or burger sauce.
- Step 8: Enjoy!
Notes
- Use starchy potatoes like russets as they hold their shape better and get really crispy.
- Toss the potatoes well with oil and seasoning to ensure that they get crispy and brown.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leaving enough space between the fries will allow them to cook evenly and become crispy.
- Shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure that the fries cook evenly on all sides.
- Don't be afraid to experiment with different spices to make your own seasoning.
- If you like extra crispy fries, spray them with extra oil halfway through the cooking time after you flip them.
- The cook time can vary depending on the thickness of your fries, your air fryer model, and the size of your air fryer. Keep an eye on them and adjust the cooking time if necessary. The fries should be crispy and golden brown.
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