French fry seasoning is a simple and low calorie way to add tons of flavor to your french fries. Whether you like to make yours baked, air-fried, or deep fried, french fry seasoning is a wonderful way to add that extra depth of flavor.
Don’t get me wrong, plain ol’ table salt is a perfectly acceptable seasoning, but sometimes we want a little more. With a few simple spices you probably have in your pantry, you can elevate your french fry game. No longer will you be wondering why the fast food fries taste so much better. Now you will be able to properly curb those cravings. All it takes is a pinch of magic… or in this case some french fry seasoning.
Is there a difference between deep fried and air fried seasonings?
Absolutely not! The same seasoning will be great whether you use the deep fryer or an air fryer. That being said, the air fried seasoning will be cooked and this can change the flavor profile. Experiment and explore if you like different ingredients with one vs the other.
Best way to use french fry seasoning
There are two processes to follow when using french fry seasoning and it depends on how you make your fries. What we need to consider is the method and how to best get the seasoning to stick to the fries. When deep frying, the seasoning will fall off the fries during the frying. This means we need to season afterwards. This works out perfectly as the oil on the outside of the fries will help the seasoning to stick.
When cooking with an air fryer or oven, we have other factors to consider. Since the fries come out “dry” on the exterior afterwards, the seasoning will just fall right off. In this case, we need to season before cooking. This works because the moisture and oil on the fries will adhere to the seasoning. We are essentially using the oil as a binder. This ensures that the seasoning will stick and remain throughout the cooking process.
When to Add Fry Seasoning
- Deep Frying – Apply immediately after cooking and straining the oil off the fries
- Air Frying or Oven Baking – Apply before cooking with oil
What is in French Fry Seasoning?
As with everything in cooking, there is not only one recipe. However there are base ingredients that you will find in most all french fry recipes. Typically, recipes include the base, then additional flavor enhancers on top. When experimenting, I recommend starting with the base ingredients then adding a few of the flavor enhancements. Experiment and see what your specific palate enjoys.
French Fry Seasoning – Base
Salt – Fine ground table salt is best. Oftentimes, the larger grains of kosher salt will leave some bites with too much salt and others with none.
Garlic Powder – Adds a standard and simple depth.
Onion Powder – This is what gives french fries their signature taste, in my opinion.
Paprika – Both standard and smoked paprika work great.
French Fry Seasoning – Additional Flavors
Black Pepper – Adds a simple and subtly sharp flavor. Wonderful addition, just don’t go crazy as it can be overpowering.
Parsley – One of my personal favorites. Adds a subtle freshness. Think burger and french fries.
Oregano – Similar to parsley but more of an Italian profile.
Thyme – Wonderful herbaceous depth of flavor.
Chili Powder – Experiment with different kinds of chili powder for different flavor profiles. Try adobo or chipotle chili powder for a smoky flavor. Try Kashmiri chili powder for a mild earthiness and pop of color.
Sugar – Granulated sugar to give a subtle hint of sweetness.
Celery salt – Paired with garlic and onion powder it gives a very balanced flavor. Definitely try it with buffalo chicken wings and fries.
Cayenne pepper – Give your fries a subtle kick.
Storage for Your Fry Seasoning
My preferred method of storage is in an airtight jar. These mason jars are perfect for spice storage. In fact, this is how I store my spices. The important thing is the airtight nature of these containers. Any airtight container will work just fine. If you leave the french fry seasoning open to the air, it will begin to oxidize. This will cause the spices to lose their potency. Not to mention if you live in a humid environment, the mixture will begin to clump due the the spices soaking up moisture. To prevent this, store all spices in airtight containers. The added bonus is you can actually just mix the spices together in the container. This way you don’t need to dirty another dish.
Add all spices to a mason jar and give it a good shake, then you’re good to go and ready to keep stored in a cool dry place for up to a month.