French fries are an American treat, despite their European name. Starchy side dish with a global history, thought to have originated in Belgium and a favorite delight of US President Thomas Jefferson, has a lengthy history. Though they are all essentially the same, french fries have evolved into nearly every form and size over time. However, many enthusiasts will declare that one type of french fry is superior than the others.
Maybe you have a favorite restaurant or fast-food chain that has the tastiest fries, which makes them your go-to source for potatoes.Alternatively, perhaps the optimal potato cut is the only factor that matters. There are many various types of french fries, each having unique forms, textures, and even flavor profiles, regardless of where you lie on the spectrum. Read up on a few of the styles you should be aware of if your goal is to sample every variety of french fry available.
Shoestring fries
The fries offered at McDonald’s are arguably some of the most well-known in the world. Despite being recognized as the greatest fast food fries available nationwide, the golden arch-adorned fast food company asserts that its fries are world renowned. The distinctive shoestring method in which McDonald’s fries are presented is the reason why so many fans appear to be so devoted to the brand.
There’s no denying that McDonald’s fries are among the most famous in the world. The golden arch-adorned fast food chain claims its fries are globally famous, even if they are voted best fast food fries accessible in the country. The reason so many fans seem to be so committed to the brand is the unique shoestring presentation approach used for McDonald’s fries.
Steak fries
If you prefer your french fries to come with as much of that soft, pillowy interior as possible, be on the lookout for restaurants that serve steak fries. Imagine a thick, robust cut of your favorite steak. That is essentially the idea behind the design of steak fries — a larger surface area, and a thicker cut of potato. Because of the larger surface area, steak fries tend to be on the softer side all around than skinnier fries like shoestring or curly fries. Not everyone loves steak french fries, however, so if you are looking for a nice crunch, you will not find that here.
There are a number of ways to fancy up your steak fries if you are making them at home. Because of the larger surface area, you can really pile on the seasonings to totally transform your side dish. Parmesan steak fries, for example, come with a nice kick of flavor, and baking some of the parmesan cheese onto the potato will add some of that crunch you might be missing.
Sweet potato fries
Potatoes get a bit of a bad rap for being a starch-laden vegetable, caught between having more carbs than we would like to admit and containing some beneficial nutrients as well (via Cleveland Clinic). While your garden variety russet potato should be eaten in moderation, in recent years health food fanatics have fallen head over heels in love with sweet potatoes. Packed with vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin A (which is good for your eyesight), sweet potatoes are considered a superfood (per WebMD). So imagine everyone’s delight when they found out that sweet potatoes make for a great plate of french fries.
Sweet potato fries will have a notably sweeter flavor than regular french fries, and the interior will feel a bit creamier as well. And while we wish we could say that sweet potato fries are the one-step solution to making french fries healthy, think again. Just like their regular counterparts, many sweet potato fries you find at restaurants have been deep-fried. But if you are making them at home, skip the oil and throw your sliced sweet potatoes in the oven or air-fryer for a guilt-free side dish.
Waffle fries
The vast majority of french fries will come in some sort of long, rectangular shape, which makes them a somewhat homogeneous category of snack. But when it comes to challenging that notion and redefining what a french fry could look like, look no further than the waffle fry. Chick-fil-A waffle fries waffle fries are a fast food fave and have played an integral role in the success of the chain. This style is unique in that the waffle-like shape is great for sauces, as the small pockets hold any sort of dipping sauce or ketchup well (via The Crimson White).
are a bit trickier to make from scratch at home since you will need a tool specifically designed to cut your potatoes into a waffle shape. So, these may just be an elusive style that you will only find in restaurants or the freezer section. But they are a nice way to break up the monotonous structure of the everyday fry, providing a large bite of deep-fried potato with a generous amount of dipping sauce.
Home fries
There is no denying the fact that few things can top a perfectly-crafted brunch on a Sunday morning or early afternoon. Potatoes are just as much a morning staple as they are afternoon and evening. But, a normal plate of french fries would read as a bit bizarre if they came served with your scrambled eggs. Thankfully, we have home fries as the designated morning meal edition to satisfy our starchy cravings.
Home fries are different from hash browns, which are parboiled and shredded potatoes. Instead, home fries are thicker cuts of potatoes, typically cubed, with crispy edges to add crunch to your breakfast plate. There are actually a few different varieties of home fries, depending on how they are cut. Lyonnaise potatoes are a delightful alternative with French roots that are sliced instead of cubed. No matter how you cut them, they go perfectly alongside eggs and toast or with sauteed onions mixed in.