Classic Straight-Cut Fries
When you think of french fries, you probably picture the straight-cut shape. They’re the traditional straight and relatively thin fries you can find at most fast food chains and restaurants, and they’re classics for a reason. Typically, they’re about ¼ inch thick and 2 inches long, which gives them the perfect surface area for frying. They end up crisp and golden brown on the outside and perfectly cooked on the inside. Straight-cut fries are usually tossed in salt right after frying to help the salt adhere to their surface better. They’re often served with a side of ketchup or ranch for dipping. If you want to spice up your classic fries, private chef Ollie George Cigliano recommends tossing them with truffle parm seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, Cajun spice, garam masala, or African-inspired berbere blend. You can find straight-cut fries at McDonald’s, Burger King, Jack in the Box, and In-N-Out.
Shoestring or Matchstick Fries
Shoestring fries are long and super thin, like shoelaces. Also called matchstick fries, these fries are typically only about ⅛ inch thick. This allows them to get super crispy when fried, and they also cook super quickly. Shoestring/matchstick fries taste amazing on their own, but they’re also super delicious tossed with ingredients like garlic and fresh parsley or rosemary. Making this type of fry at home is surprisingly simple—you’ll just need a mandoline slicer or julienne peeler to cut your potatoes into the right shape!
Natural-Cut Fries
Natural-cut fries have a little bit of potato skin on them. They’re also slightly thicker than classic straight-cut fries. The potato skin and thicker, heartier texture give these fries a more rustic feel than other fry types, and they’re also a little bit less crispy. You can find natural-cut fries at Hardee’s/Carl’s Jr.
Battered Fries
This type of fry is dipped in batter for an extra-crispy texture. Battered fries are super crunchy and flaky on the outside (like other battered and fried foods are), but they usually retain a soft and pillowy texture on the inside. The batter also adds another layer of flavor, which further sets them apart from regular fries. Battered fries can come in several different shapes, but you’ll often see them in the classic straight-cut shape. Sometimes, these fries are made with a water-based batter, which includes flour and seasonings. Beer-based batter is also popular, and it’s thought to add extra depth to the fries’ flavor.
Steak Fries
Steak-cut fries are a lot thicker than standard fries. Because they’re thicker and have more surface area, these fries are a little less greasy and crispy than other fry variations. They also have a softer, heartier texture on the inside, similar to a baked potato. Steak fries are usually served with steak or burgers, and they’re often tossed with the same spices that were used to season the red meat. If you want to try making fries at home but you’re a little nervous about the process, steak fries are a great place to start. They’re a bit easier to make because you don’t have to cut them quite so thin, and you don’t need any special tools—a regular kitchen knife should work!
Crinkle-Cut Fries
These fries are cut into a crinkly, wavy shape. This zig-zag shape creates a lot more surface area than standard fries have, which allows them to get super crisp on the outside while staying soft and fluffy on the inside. The grooves on these fries also pick up sauces and seasonings super well, so they’re a great choice if you want a delicious aioli or unique dipping sauce to be the star of the show. You’ll need to purchase a special tool to achieve this shape if you want to make this type of fry from scratch at home. Luckily, you’ll often be able to find frozen crinkle-cut fries at the grocery store if you want an easier cooking process! Fast food restaurants that serve crinkle-cut fries include Raising Cane’s, Shake Shack, and Del Taco.
Waffle Fries
Waffle fries have a criss-cross, lattice-like shape. This makes them look like tiny waffles, hence the name. The ridges and tiny holes on waffle fries create a unique texture that gets super crispy when fried, but their insides typically stay soft and fluffy. Since each fry has a circular disk shape, they also hold sauces and heartier toppings super well. Waffle fries are pretty tough to make from scratch, since you’ll need a special tool to cut the potatoes into the right shape. Thankfully, you should be able to find frozen waffle fries at most grocery stores! If you’re looking for a fast food restaurant that serves these fries, check out Chik-Fil-A—they’re known for having delicious waffle fries.
Curly Fries
Curly fries are thin, twisty, and spiral-shaped. Their unique shape allows for a super crunchy exterior and a super fun eating experience. Curly fries are often tossed in a special seasoning blend of paprika, salt, garlic, onion powder, cayenne, and flour, which adds a ton of flavor, as well as extra crispiness. If you want to make curly fries at home, you’ll need a spiralizer to cut your potatoes into curly spirals. You can find curly fries at Arby’s and Jack in the Box.
Smiley Fries
These are exactly what they sound like—smiley face-shaped fries. Smiley fries are a childhood classic, and for good reason. They’re fun to look at, and they’re super yummy! According to McCain, the company that created smiley fries, they’re actually filled with mashed potatoes on the inside. This gives them a uniquely fluffy and soft texture on the interior that contrasts nicely with their crisp exterior. You can find frozen smiley fries at most grocery stores, and they’re super easy to cook. Just pop them in the air fryer or oven, and voila! You’ve got a nostalgic and delicious treat.
Potato Wedges
These fries are cut into very thick wedge shapes. Since they’re much thicker than regular fries, they get slightly crisp on the outside, but they’re not super crispy. They have more of the hearty texture of roasted potatoes on the inside, and they’re often tossed in a flavorful mix of seasonings. Potato wedges can either be fried, air-fried, or baked. You don’t need any special tools to make potato wedges at home. A sharp knife or apple slicer should do the trick to cut your potatoes into the right shapes! You can usually find potato wedges in the frozen section at grocery stores, and some stores also serve them at the hot food bar or deli section.
Tater Tots
Tater tots are tiny, crispy potato bites. They’re basically miniature hash brown patties shaped into little cylinders. Tater tots usually have a super crunchy exterior while retaining a soft, pillowy texture inside. If you’re not a fan of regular potatoes, there are also sweet potato tater tots, which are equally crispy and delicious! The easiest way to enjoy tater tots at home is to purchase them in the frozen section at your grocery store and cook them up in the oven or air fryer. Fast food restaurants that sell tater tots include Burger King and Sonic.
Hash Brown Patties
Hash brown patties are like larger, flatter tater tots. Often served with breakfast, hash brown patties are formed into rectangles with slightly rounded edges, and they’re about the size of your hand. Like tater tots, they have crispy exteriors and soft, pillowy insides. As with tater tots, the easiest way to cook hash browns at home is to pick them up in the freezer section of your grocery store. From there, you can simply bake, air-fry, or pan-fry them according to the instructions on the package.
Tornado Fries
Tornado fries are a spiral-cut potato served on a stick. Originally from Seoul, South Korea, this take on french fries is super fun and unique. To make them, a whole potato is essentially cut into a spiral shape, with a wooden skewer stuck through the center to keep the whole thing intact. The finished product is often drizzled with yummy sauces or sprinkled with flavorful seasonings. In the U.S., you can often find tornado fries at special events like state fairs and festivals. To make tornado fries at home, stick a wooden skewer through the center of a washed Yukon gold potato. Next, carefully hold a sharp knife at an angle, and turn the potato to cut it into a spiral shape. Pull the potato slightly along the skewer to separate the spirals, then season to your liking and bake until crispy.
Home Fries
Home fries are cubed potatoes that are pan-fried. Despite their name, home fries are pretty different from the typical deep-fried french fries you’d find at fast food joints. They’re basically just potatoes that are cut up into tiny cubes, then they’re seasoned and cooked up with some oil in a pan. Home fries are typically served with breakfast, and they taste amazing with some scrambled eggs or an omelet.
Cottage Fries
Cottage fries are cut into round, disk-like ovals. Similar to home fries, cottage fries are often pan-fried, but they can also be baked. They tend to have slightly crispy exteriors and soft interiors, and due to their flat oval shape, they hold hearty toppings super well. Cottage fries are also super easy to make at home—you’ll only need to cut your potatoes into thin rounds, then season, roast, and cook them to your liking.
Belgian Fries
Belgian fries are thick-cut and double-fried. This makes them super crunchy and crispy on the outside, while still retaining a soft, fluffy interior. Belgian fries are also made with Bintje potatoes, which are known for their very yellow-looking insides, and they’re typically fried in animal fat, which adds flavor. Belgian fries are often topped with a hearty drizzle of sauce, as well. Popular sauce choices include mayonnaise, curry mayo, curry ketchup, Andalouse sauce, tartar sauce, and cocktail sauce.
British Chips
British “chips” are like super thick-cut American fries. They’re often served as part of a classic fish and chips meal, so many Brits like to eat them with salt and malt vinegar. Tartar sauce is another popular sauce option. In the U.K., “chips” are what Americans would call “french fries,” and “crisps” are what Americans would call “potato chips.”
Pommes Soufflées
Pommes soufflées are coin-shaped potato puffs. This dish comes from France, and it’s an extra-classy alternative to a typical french fry. To make pommes soufflées, potatoes are cut into thin coins, then they’re pan-fried two separate times. The first time gets the outside crispy, then the second time makes the potato puff up into its signature pillowy shape.
Patatas Bravas
Patatas bravas are potatoes covered in a tomato sauce. For this classic Spanish tapas dish, potatoes are usually cut into cubes and pan-fried or baked. They’re then topped with a spicy tomato-based sauce (salsa brava), and they’re often served with a flavorful aioli as well.
Sweet Potato Fries
Sweet potato fries are french fries made from sweet potatoes. They’re a delicious blend of sweet and salty, and they’re a great alternative to regular fries if you’re looking for something a little more unique. Sweet potato fries come in a variety of shapes, including classic straight-cut, matchstick, waffle, tater tot, and more.
Zucchini Fries
Zucchini fries are battered and deep-fried zucchini strips. They’re often coated in Italian-seasoned bread crumbs and topped with parmesan, so they complement an Italian meal perfectly. Serve them with marinara sauce and ranch for extra flavor!
Garlic Parmesan Fries
These are fries tossed in garlic, parsley, and parmesan. The fries used for this dish are usually classic straight-cut fries or thin matchstick fries, and they’re often served with a flavorful aioli or ketchup. Garlic parm fries are a delicious option if you want something crispy and dippable but a little more unique than standard fries.
Truffle Fries
Truffle fries are garlic parm fries tossed with an extra ingredient—truffle oil. This dish typically includes thin, crispy fries, parsley, minced garlic, and parmesan, just like regular garlic parmesan fries. The key difference is a hearty drizzle of truffle oil, a classy twist that adds more depth to the flavor. Truffle fries are especially delicious with a garlicky aioli as a dipping sauce.
Cheese Fries
As you might expect, cheese fries are fries topped with cheese. Traditional straight-cut fries are usually the base for this dish, but it can be made with any fry shape you like. Cheese fries are often served with a goo-ey cheese sauce, but they can also be sprinkled with cheddar cheese while super hot, so the cheese melts nicely.
Chili Cheese Fries
These fries are topped with a helping of chili and a sprinkle of cheese. Classic straight-cut fries are usually used as the base, but the type of chili is completely up to you. Classic beef chili, vegetarian bean chili, or white chicken chili are all popular options! Chili cheese fries are often topped with the typical chili fix-ins, like green onion, diced tomatoes, sour cream, and/or jalapeños.
Loaded Fries
These are basically a loaded baked potato in fry form. This dish usually includes french fries topped with all the typical fix-ins you’d serve with baked potatoes, like cheddar cheese, bacon bits, green onions, and sour cream. Classic straight-cut fries are a popular choice, but this dish also tastes amazing with tater tots or waffle fries.
Poutine
Poutine is a Canadian take on cheese fries. It typically includes three components: thick-cut fries, brown gravy, and cheese curds. The result is a saucy, savory, cheesy dish that’s typically enjoyed in cold Canadian weather.
Disco Fries
Like poutine, disco fries are topped with cheese and gravy. However, instead of cheese curds, this New Jersey version of the dish uses shredded mozzarella cheese. It’s often made with crinkle-cut fries, instead of thick-cut fries, as well.
Nacho Fries
This dish uses french fries as a base for nachos, instead of tortilla chips. The fries are topped with typical nacho toppings, such as cheese sauce and/or shredded cheese, guacamole, pico de gallo, beans, seasoned meat, and jalapeños. They’re the best of both worlds for those who love both french fries and nachos! You can find nacho fries at Taco Bell.
Funnel Cake Fries
Funnel cake fries are deep-fried strips of funnel cake dough. They’re technically not fries, but they’ve been given this name because their shape mimics the shape of classic french fries. These crispy dough strips are often topped with powdered sugar and served with sweet dipping sauces, like chocolate sauce, caramel, or berry compote.
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