master-cooks | How Do You Even Cut Waffle Fries, Anyway?

Cutting waffle fries involves a specific technique that requires both a crinkle cutter and a bit of skill. The process begins with selecting the right potato, usually a large, firm variety like a russet. After washing and peeling the potatoes, use a mandoline slicer equipped with a crinkle-cut blade. The key to achieving the waffle pattern lies in the slicing technique. Start by slicing the potato at a 90-degree angle, then rotate it 90 degrees and slice again. This rotation is crucial as it creates the signature holes and ridges that define waffle fries. It's important to maintain a consistent thickness with each slice to ensure even cooking. Practice helps in mastering the angle and pressure needed to create uniform cuts. Once sliced, the waffle fries can be seasoned and cooked to your liking, whether that's frying, baking, or air frying. The result should be crispy, golden fries with a unique texture that holds onto dips and seasonings beautifully. While the technique may seem intimidating at first, with patience and practice, anyone can learn to make delicious waffle fries at home.

Other easy methods for cutting waffle fries

If you don’t own a waffle-blade mandoline (and aren’t keen on purchasing one), there are several alternatives you can consider. One option is to use a crinkle cutter. This handheld device has a broad, ridged blade on one side and a handle on the other. Similar to the mandoline, you can manually slice a potato with a crinkle cutter, rotating the potato 90 degrees after each cut to achieve that crisscross design. A ridged cheese knife can also work in a similar fashion.

Another idea is to repurpose those takeout chopsticks you have lying around in your kitchen! Start by cutting your potatoes into ½-inch thick slices. Then, lay a slice flat, positioning one chopstick along the top edge and another along the bottom. Use a knife to score the slice across the surface; the chopsticks will prevent you from cutting all the way through. After that, flip the slice and repeat the process with perpendicular cuts.

Lastly, you can make waffle fries using a waffle maker—something you might not have realized was possible! Peel and grate a potato as you would for hash browns. Mix in a bit of melted butter, form a patty with the grated potato, and place it on a hot waffle iron until it turns crispy. You can even reheat leftover shoestring fries in the waffle iron to transform them into waffle fries.

How Do You Even Cut Waffle Fries, Anyway?

Other easy methods for cutting waffle fries

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