Chick-fil-A Style Waffle Fries
Imagine you are in the mood for waffle fries, but then you realize it's Sunday, so old Chick Fil A is closed. What if I told you, you could still have a perfect batch of fries in less than 20 minutes?
So yes, you do have to spend 30 or 40 minutes of prep time up front, but then you have a continual supply of waffle fries freezer to deep fry or bake / air fry at a moment's notice, provided you don't eat them all in one sitting.
Ingredients
For the fries
4 medium russet potatoes, rinsed & peeled
Coarse kosher salt
15 ml (tbsp) Vinegar per liter (4 cups) of boiling water
Peanut oil for frying (about 32 oz)
Fry Sauce
30 g Mayo
30 g Ketchup
15 g Brown mustard
5 g Vinegar
5 g Worcestershire sauce
10 g honey
10 cranks black pepper
Special Tools
Extra Large Waffle Cutter (or cut into thin shape with a knife)
Wok or Dutch oven for Deep Frying
Instructions
Make ahead fries for the freezer
Set a pot of water over high heat and bring to a boil. Meanwhile, rinse the potatoes then peel them if doing so. Using a ridged mandolin cutter first slice down then before the next cut rotate the potato 90 degrees and slice down again. This is what creates the holes in the fries. Cut and rotate for each slice until the end of the potato is reached.
Once the water has boiled, add two large pinches of salt and the vinegar, stirring to dissolve. Toss in the waffle cut potatoes and boil until the potatoes are fully tender but not falling apart, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain the potatoes and set them aside.
Add peanut oil to a wok or large pot, about 2 inches high. Set the heat to medium and bring to 375 F (190 C). Set a paper-towel-lined baking sheet on the right. Once hot, drop a small batch of the potatoes and fry for 60 seconds. Move to the wire rack. Repeat this process until all the batches are done.
Place the wire rack of potatoes in the freezer to firm up for about an hour before transferring to a freezer bag or container where they can be stored for up to 3 months.
To Deep Fry for serving
Add peanut oil to a wok and bring to 375 F (190 C). Meanwhile set up a wire rack over a baking sheet.
Once hot, lower a batch of the frozen fries into the oil. Fry until lightly golden brown and crisp, about 4 minutes. Move the wire rack over the baking sheet and serve immediately, or keep warm in a 200 degree F oven.
To Bake (or Air fry) for serving
Preheat oven to 475 F (425 F for a convection oven or air fryer).
Place the frozen fries on an aluminum pizza screen or baking sheet. Optionally you can spritz with oil. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until crisp. Serve with some sauces!