Waffle Fries

These homemade waffle fries are crispy and beautifully on the outside, but perfectly soft and fluffy on the inside. 

What You’ll Need to Make Waffle Fries

Make this homemade waffle fry recipe with just three ingredients: russet potatoes (peeled), peanut or vegetable oil (for frying), and salt. You can use seasoned salt for extra bold flavor. 

How to Make Waffle Fries

You’ll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make these waffle fries: 

Best Potatoes for Waffle Fries 

The best potatoes for waffle fries (and French fries in general) are Idaho or russet potatoes. This is because they’re dense and have less moisture than other varieties, resulting in crispy — never soggy — results. You can use Yukon gold potatoes if that’s what you have on hand, but avoid using waxy potatoes like red or fingerling. 

How to Cut Waffle Fries

The key to cutting perfect waffle fries is a mandoline with a waffle blade. For this recipe, you’ll set it to ¼-inch. Slice the potatoes crosswise, then rotate 90 degrees and make another slice for each waffle fry.

How Are Waffle Fries Made? 

Here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make this easy waffle fry recipe: 

1. Cut the potatoes into waffle fries. 
2. Add the cut fries to a bowl of ice water as they are done. 
3. Fry the waffle fries in batches until they are cooked through, then drain on wire racks. 
4. Increase the oil’s heat and fry the waffle fries again, until they are golden brown. 
5. Drain and however you like. 

Can You Air Fry Waffle Fries? 

Yes! Recipe developer Juliana Hale says these waffle fries work well in the air fryer. To air fry the waffle fries: 

1. Cut, soak, and drain the waffle fries according to the recipe. 
2. In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add waffle fries and simmer 1 minute to par-cook; drain. Blot dry with paper towels. 
3. When cool enough to handle, drizzle with 2 tablespoons vegetable oil and toss to coat.
4. Air fry in batches in a single layer, at 400 degrees F for 8 minutes, tossing once. Season with salt.
5. Keep cooked waffle fries warm in a 200 degrees F oven while air frying the rest. 

Test Kitchen Tips

• Always use cut-resistant gloves when working with a mandoline.
• Need a make-ahead option? You can par-cook the fries and then hold onto them until ready to serve, then do the final fry at the last minute, according Juliana. 

What to Serve With Waffle Fries

Our test kitchen experts came up with a zippy fry sauce recipe (made with just mayonnaise, ketchup, dill pickle brine, and Sriracha) to serve with these waffle fries. Find the recipe below! The fries also pair well with old stand-bys, like ketchup or honey mustard. 

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams