Seasoned Crinkle Cut Fries

Make the crispiest Seasoned Crinkle Cut Fries in the oven as a family-friendly side dish or snack. This is the easiest method for the best-tasting oven-baked fries that guarantee absolute crispiness and bold cajun flavor. All dairy-free and vegan ingredients.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links via Amazon for products that I wholeheartedly love.

These Seasoned Crinkle Cut Fries are by far one of my favorite ways to eat french fries. Growing up, I actually thoroughly enjoyed a nicely crisp McDonald’s fry that was sprinkled with the right amount of salt. Honestly, I think it’s safe to say that most of us found ourselves indulging in those fries—right? Haha.

Well, now that I enjoy making my own homemade fries, I definitely love the fact that I can season my fries the way that I like and these crinkle cut fries are well seasoned with a nice cajun seasoning blend.

Traditionally, homemade fries are deep fried, but I prefer baking mine to avoid all of the excess oil. And you might think that your fries won’t be as crispy as deep frying or air frying them, but you’re wrong! Just a few short steps can help to create the same crispy, satisfying experience. 

For these crinkle cut fries, you don’t need anything out of the ordinary when it comes to equipment except for an actual crinkle cutter, which is super easy to purchase.

What Are Crinkle Cut Fries?

Basically, crinkle cut fries are wave-like fries that are a bit crispier and has a better texture than regular fries due to the grooves and cuts. Therefore, when it’s fried (or baked) it produces a lot more crunch crispiness than most other types of fries.

Ingredients for Seasoned Crinkle Cut Fries

Aside from getting your crinkle cut fries nice and crispy in the oven, you’ll want to be sure to season the potatoes very well. Here’s how I like to add cajun flavor to my homemade fries:

CAJUN SEASONING BLEND

To make your seasoning, combine:

• Garlic powder
• Italian seasoning
• Smoked paprika
• Sea salt
• Black pepper
• Cayenne
• Dried thyme
• Onion powder

Tips for Super Crispy Baked Crinkle Cut Fries

These are my top tips to make sure your seasoned crinkle cut fries are as crisp as possible:

• Cut the potatoes to equal sizes as much as possible using a crinkle cutter. This way, they cook at the same rate. 
• Soak the potatoes for at least 20 minutes in cool water. This removes excess starch on the outside of the potatoes that prevent them from crisping up. 
• Let the potatoes dry for at least 30 minutes. moisture is the enemy of crispiness! For good measure, blot them dry with a towel as well. 
• Don’t be afraid to season well!
• Let the oven come fully to temperature before you add the fries to the oven. It needs to be a nice and hot environment.
• Spread the potato pieces out well on the baking sheet lined with wire rack to let the hot air circulate around each individual fry. 

How to Cut Waffle Fries Using a Crinkle Cutter

While these crinkle cut fries are similar to waffles fries, the process to making them completely waffle fries is super easy! When using a crinkle cutter, you begin by slicing downward from the top end of the potato—this should create a “crinkle-like” shape. 

To make waffles fries, you simply turn your potato 90 degrees after the first cut downward and then cut again—-repeating this process until all fries are cut. That simple.

Can I Make These Crinkle Cut Fries in an Air-Fryer?

While I made these crinkle cut fries originally in the oven, this recipe will also work in your air fryer.

I have found that cooking with an air fryer is fast and fairly easy. Air fryers tend to get hotter and have better air circulation than your oven, so the wedgies might need a slightly shorter cook time.

If air frying, check on the fries every 10 minutes to shake the potatoes so they do not stick. After 30 mins, check for doneness every few minutes. Both the oven and the air fryer make excellent crispy potato french fries!

Best Condiments to Serve with Seasoned Crinkle Cut Fries

Dipping these Seasoned Crinkle Cut Fries is a must and while there are many options out there, I highly recommend serving these fries with any of the following:

• Ketchup
• Vegan Mayo
• Vegan Ranch Sauce
• Curry
• Curry Ketchup
• Chili Sauce
• Honey Mustard 
• Tartar Sauce
• Garlic Sauce
• Burger Sauce + more!

Vegan Creamy Ranch Sauce

To dip your crinkle cut fries and tame the cajun heat a bit, make a dairy-free ranch dressing with:

• Coconut milk. You’ll need a can of full-fat of coconut cream or milk.
• Vegan mayonnaise. Use any kind you like. 
• Cilantro. If you’re not a fan of cilantro, use basil. 
• Herbs. You’ll need the following: dried dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.

How to Store + Freeze Crinkle Cut Fries

Place any leftovers in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. For longer storage, simply add leftovers to a freezer safe ziplock bag or container and keep frozen for up to 10 months. 

If you’re planning to meal prep your own crinkle cut fries as you would frozen fries, simply do the following toy our cut fries:

• Blanch your fries by cooking them for 2 minutes in boiling water and then transferring them to a bowl of ice water.
• Drain your fries and lay them out in a single layer (on a baking sheet lined with parchment) to dry.
• Add the laid out fries (still on the baking sheet) to the freezer for 6 hours or overnight until solid.
• Transfer the frozen fries to a freezer-safe ziplock bag, label/date, and store in the freezer. 
• As you would store-bought frozen fries, remove desired servings of fries each time and bake per instructions. 

More Side Dish Recipes You’ll Love

If you love these Seasoned Crinkle Cut Fries, then you’ll love the following recipes:

• Crispiest Jumbo Garlic Herb Fries
• Flaky Honey Buttermilk Biscuits
• Herb Roasted Tomatoes
• Ultimate Vegan Mac + Cheese
• Crispiest Seasoned French Fries
• Gluten-Free Cheddar Bay Biscuits
• Garlic Herb Smashed Potatoes
• Crispy Baked Jerk Potato Wedges

MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?

If you make these Seasoned Crinkle Cut Fries, be sure to tag me on Instagram @orchidsandsweettea!

Seasoned Crinkle Cut Fries

5 from 4 votes

When it comes to enjoying crispy Seasoned Crinkle Cut Fries, this recipe is the easiest way to achieve the best fries experience!

Prep Time: 1 hr 30 mins

Cook Time: 40 mins

Total Time: 2 hrs 10 mins

Serves: 6 servings

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Ingredients

FRIES:

• 4 large organic russet potatoes,
• 2-3 Tbsps Extra virgin olive oil

HOMEMADE CAJUN BLEND:

• 2 Tbsps garlic powder
• 2 Tbsps Italian seasoning
• 2 Tbsps smoked paprika
• 1 Tbsp cayenne pepper
• 1 Tbsp dried thyme
• 1 Tbsp onion powder
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

DAIRY-FREE RANCH SAUCE (OPTIONAL):

• 1/2 cup vegan mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup full-fat coconut cream or milk
• 1 tsp dried or fresh cilantro
• 1/2 tsp dried dill
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• Pinch of sea salt
• Pinch of black pepper

Instructions

PREP + SOAK POTATOES:

• Rinse and pat dry each potato and using a crinkle cutter, slice downward from the top end of the potato---this should create a "crinkle-like" shape. Repeat again and continue to repeat until all potatoes are sliced (about 1/2-1 inch thick).
• In a bowl, add cold water until 3/4 filled along with a few ice cubes to keep things cold. Add cut potatoes into bowl and let soak for 20 minutes.
• Once soak time is complete, drain potatoes and pat dry thoroughly before adding them unto a flat surface (i.e. countertop, cutting board, etc.) lined with paper towels for them to "dry" out for a bit (about 30-minutes to 1 hour). NOTE: This process helps them to be extra crispy when baked.

BAKE THE FRIES:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. 
• Add the dry cut slices of potatoes into a large bowl along with the olive oil and seasonings, mixing everything together with your hands until fries are full coated.
• Transfer the fries to the prepared baking sheet and bake for 35-40 minutes or until fries are golden and crispy. NOTE: Test the doneness of potatoes by seeing how soft they are and how golden the edges become. If they are tender then they are done.

MAKE THE DF RANCH SAUCE:

• Mix together the vegan mayonnaise, coconut cream/milk, cilantro, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in a bowl until combined and smooth.
• Remove the baked fries from the oven and serve with a side of homemade dairy-free ranch sauce or your favorite condiment/sauce (ketchup, mayo, etc).
• Bon Appetit!

Tips & Tricks

• STORAGE: Place any leftovers in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. For longer storage, simply add leftovers to a freezer safe ziplock bag or container and keep frozen for up to 10 months. 
• STORAGE (RANCH SAUCE): Any leftovers can be kept in a tightly sealed jar and refrigerated for up to 2 weeks. 
• CAJUN SEASONING (STORAGE): Any leftover cajun seasoning mix can be stored in a ziplock bag for later use or used as garnish. 

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Seasoned Crinkle Cut Fries

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