Who doesn’t love a delicious basket of crispy, golden French fries? If you’re anything like me, nothing hits the spot quite like the irresistible Burger King French fries. They’re crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and perfectly seasoned to keep you coming back for more.
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How to make Burger King French Fries
Burger King French Fries are a popular side item served at Burger King, made from thick-cut potatoes that are fried until golden and crispy on the outside while remaining soft and fluffy on the inside.
Ingredients
To replicate Burger King French Fries, you’ll need the following:
- 4 medium-sized russet potatoes (ideal for French fries due to their high starch content)
- 4–5 cups of vegetable oil (or any neutral frying oil like canola oil)
- Water (for soaking the potatoes)
- 1–2 teaspoons of cornstarch (to mimic the light coating of Burger King fries)
- Salt (to season the fries)
- Optional: A dash of garlic powder or paprika for personalized seasoning
Instructions
Step 1: Peel and Cut Your Potatoes
- Peel the russet potatoes and rinse them thoroughly under cold water.
- Cut the potatoes into thin strips, about ¼ to ½ inches thick. Try to keep them uniform for even cooking.
Step 2: Soak the Potatoes
- Place the sliced potato strips in a large bowl filled with cold water.
- Let them soak for 30 minutes to 1 hour. This step removes excess starch and prevents the fries from sticking together while cooking.
Step 3: Dry and Coat the Fries
- After soaking, drain the water and pat the potato strips dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
- In a separate bowl, toss the fries with cornstarch. The cornstarch adds an outer coating that mimics the crispy texture of Burger King fries.
Step 4: Pre-heat the Oil
- In a deep frying pan, skillet, or fryer, heat your vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer to monitor the oil’s temperature, as this is critical for perfectly crisp fries.
Step 5: Fry the Potatoes (First Fry)
- Carefully drop the potato strips into the hot oil in small batches (avoid overcrowding).
- Fry them for 4–5 minutes, or until they start to turn a pale golden color. At this stage, don’t try to achieve the full crispiness yet.
- Remove the fries from the oil and let them drain on paper towels.
Step 6: Fry Again (Second Fry)
- Increase the oil temperature slightly to about 375°F (190°C).
- Return the fries to the hot oil in small batches for the second fry. This time, cook them for 2–4 minutes, or until they turn crispy and golden brown.
- Transfer the fries back onto paper towels to drain excess oil.
Step 7: Season and Serve
- Immediately sprinkle the fries with salt while they’re still hot. For an extra flavor boost, you can also add seasonings such as garlic powder, paprika, or even a dash of pepper.
- Serve them alongside ketchup, your favorite dipping sauce, or as part of your homemade fast-food experience!
Tips for Perfect Burger King Fries
- Uniform Slicing: Use a fry cutter machine or practice careful knife skills to ensure uniformity in thickness. Even-sized fries cook evenly.
- Don’t Skip the Double Fry: The first fry cooks the potatoes, while the second fry creates the crispy exterior. This is the secret to restaurant-quality fries!
- Use Russet Potatoes: Their high starch content makes them ideal for frying and replicating Burger King’s texture.
- Avoid Overcrowding the Pan: Fry the potatoes in batches to prevent them from steaming instead of crisping.
- Temperature Control: Constantly monitor your oil temperature to avoid burning the fries or ending up with limp ones.
What to serve with
Burger King French Fries are a delicious treat on their own, but pairing them with the right sides and accompaniments elevates your homemade fast-food experience to the next level.
1. Burgers: When it comes to fries, burgers are always the go-to pairing. Recreate Burger King’s own menu by serving your fries alongside a juicy homemade Whopper or cheeseburger. Toasted buns, fresh veggies, and your favorite toppings—like pickles, onion rings, lettuce, and ketchup—will make it a perfect match.
2. Chicken Sandwiches: Burger King’s chicken sandwiches, like the Crispy Chicken or Spicy Chicken sandwich, pair exceptionally well with French fries. You can use breaded chicken breasts, spicy mayo, and soft brioche buns to replicate the experience.
3. Hot Dogs: For a fun twist, serve your French fries alongside hot dogs. Grill or pan-fry your hot dogs, and add toppings like mustard, ketchup, chili, or cheese to create a loaded plate of comfort food.
Ingredients Substitutes
Recreating Burger King French Fries at home can be fun, but sometimes you may not have all the exact ingredients or prefer alternatives based on dietary preferences or availability.
1. Potatoes (Main Ingredient)
Burger King typically uses russet potatoes due to their high starch content and ability to fry into a crispy exterior while staying soft inside.
Substitute Options:
- Yukon Gold Potatoes: These have slightly less starch but still work well for frying and offer a creamier texture.
- Sweet Potatoes: If you prefer a naturally sweet twist, sweet potatoes can work, though they won’t mimic the exact flavor and texture of Burger King fries.
- Red Potatoes: Although lower in starch, red potatoes can be great for fries if you like a firmer, less fluffy interior.
- Frozen Fries: For a time-saving option, pre-packaged frozen French fries can be used, especially those labeled “crispy-cut fries.”
2. Cornstarch (For the Coating)
Cornstarch provides a light coating for the fries and helps achieve the crispy exterior similar to Burger King’s fries.
Substitute Options:
- All-Purpose Flour: You can use flour as an alternative, though it is slightly heavier than cornstarch and won’t offer the same airy crispiness.
- Potato Starch: This is a great substitute because it behaves similarly to cornstarch in frying and helps maintain crispiness.
- Rice Flour: A good gluten-free option that mimics the texture of cornstarch.
- No Coating: If you prefer a more natural fry, you can skip the coating entirely. However, expect less crispness overall.
3. Vegetable Oil (For Frying)
Vegetable oil is a neutral oil that’s inexpensive and widely used in fast food frying. Burger King uses frying oil suitable for commercial-scale cooking, but at home, vegetable oil offers a similar result.
Substitute Options:
- Canola Oil: A close substitute to vegetable oil with a high smoke point. It’s inexpensive and neutral in flavor.
- Peanut Oil: This oil provides excellent crispness and a slightly nutty flavor that complements fries, though it may not suit people with nut allergies.
- Sunflower Oil: Another neutral high-smoke-point oil. It’s a healthier option while delivering crispy fries.
- Avocado Oil: Great for health-conscious cooks, avocado oil works well for frying due to its high smoke point, though it’s pricier.
- Air Fryer: If you want to avoid oil entirely, you can use an air fryer to recreate the texture of fried fries with little to no oil.
4. Salt (For Seasoning)
Salt gives French fries their classic flavor. Burger King uses basic table salt to season their fries after frying.
Substitute Options:
- Sea Salt: Adds a slightly deeper and flakier flavor profile to your fries.
- Kosher Salt: A great substitute for lighter, grainy salt seasoning.
- Seasoned Salt: To elevate the flavor, you can use seasoned salt that contains spices like paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder.
- Low-Sodium Salt: If you’re watching your sodium intake, consider using a low-sodium salt alternative like potassium chloride blends.
5. Spices/Seasonings
While Burger King’s fries are traditionally seasoned with just salt, some prefer adding extra spices to customize the flavor.
Substitute Options:
- Garlic Powder: Adds a savory flavor that blends well with fries.
- Cajun Spice Mix: For a spicy kick, use Cajun seasonings containing paprika, cayenne, and oregano.
- Smoked Paprika: This gives your fries a smoky, mildly sweet flavor while enhancing their color.
- Herbs: For a gourmet touch, toss your fries with dried or fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or rosemary.
Final Thoughts
Creating a meal with Burger King French Fries is all about balance and variety. Try mixing your fries with lighter options, indulgent sauces, and complementary sides to create something special.
More Burger King Recipes:
Ingredients
- 4 medium-sized russet potatoes
- 4–5 cups of vegetable oil
- Water (for soaking the potatoes)
- 1–2 teaspoons of cornstarch
- Salt (to season the fries)
- Optional: A dash of garlic powder
Instructions
Step 1: Peel and Cut Your Potatoes
- Peel the russet potatoes and rinse them thoroughly under cold water.
- Cut the potatoes into thin strips, about ¼ to ½ inches thick. Try to keep them uniform for even cooking.
Step 2: Soak the Potatoes
- Place the sliced potato strips in a large bowl filled with cold water.
- Let them soak for 30 minutes to 1 hour. This step removes excess starch and prevents the fries from sticking together while cooking.
Step 3: Dry and Coat the Fries
- After soaking, drain the water and pat the potato strips dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
- In a separate bowl, toss the fries with cornstarch. The cornstarch adds an outer coating that mimics the crispy texture of Burger King fries.
Step 4: Pre-heat the Oil
- In a deep frying pan, skillet, or fryer, heat your vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer to monitor the oil’s temperature, as this is critical for perfectly crisp fries.
Step 5: Fry the Potatoes (First Fry)
- Carefully drop the potato strips into the hot oil in small batches (avoid overcrowding).
- Fry them for 4–5 minutes, or until they start to turn a pale golden color. At this stage, don’t try to achieve the full crispiness yet.
- Remove the fries from the oil and let them drain on paper towels.
Step 6: Fry Again (Second Fry)
- Increase the oil temperature slightly to about 375°F (190°C).
- Return the fries to the hot oil in small batches for the second fry. This time, cook them for 2–4 minutes, or until they turn crispy and golden brown.
- Transfer the fries back onto paper towels to drain excess oil.
Step 7: Season and Serve
- Immediately sprinkle the fries with salt while they’re still hot. For an extra flavor boost, you can also add seasonings such as garlic powder, paprika, or even a dash of pepper.
- Serve them alongside ketchup, your favorite dipping sauce, or as part of your homemade fast-food experience!
