This French Fry Seasoning instantly transforms fries from your very own kitchen into your favorite drive-thru indulgence. It's salty, savory, and well-equipped with that addictive fast-food edge. If you love seasoned fries, this is going to be your new favorite spice blend to use on frozen fries or hand-cut, homemade fries.
Burger night is set in stone in our house — burgers piled high with all the fixings (including burger sauce), a house salad, and always without fail, a batch of homemade fries. After a hundred burger nights, we've learned one thing: salt, all on its lonesome, just doesn't cut it. That's why this fry seasoning has a permanent spot in our pantry.
Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Works
Get ready to make a restaurant-level batch of French fries at home thanks to this carefully balanced (and thoroughly tested) fry seasoning recipe.
- Savory Foundation | It comes equipped with the basics: garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
- Fast-Food Magic | What makes this blend truly special is the fast-food secret ingredient additions like celery salt and sugar.
- Looks Matter | Paprika and dried parsley add a pop of color, giving your fries that gorgeous seasoned-fry glow.
- Balanced Heat | Black pepper and a touch of cayenne = a gentle kick without overpowering spice levels.
This homemade fry seasoning is the perfect way to upgrade any potato — not just fries! Use it any time you're cooking frozen fries, hearty wedge-shaped steak fries, tots, or even the crispiest roasted potatoes. This recipe even works on sweet potato fries — the savory-spicy blend balances their natural sweetness which makes every bite as addictive as the last!
And if you're making it for burger night, don't forget a batch of our homemade burger seasoning too!
When to Season Fries
For fry seasoning to stick and lock in flavor, it needs to be applied the moment oil and heat are at their peak. When to season your fries depends on two things: the cooking method and whether or not your fries are frozen or fresh.
Fresh Fries | Season fresh, lightly oiled French fries before cooking if using the air fryer or oven. If deep frying, season the fries the moment they come out of the oil.
Frozen Fries | Whether baking, air frying, or deep-frying, your best option is to season frozen fries after (or in the midst of) cooking. More on that below.
French Fry Seasoning Ingredients & Substitutions
Salt | Fine-grained salt is the best choice for fry seasoning. It clings to fries better than coarse or flaky varieties.
Paprika | Similar to elote seasoning, paprika adds color and an earthy sweetness. Swap for smoked paprika if you want a smoky note.
Garlic + Onion Powder | These two savory super-stars bring the umami flavor (and star in our homemade meatloaf seasoning too). Avoid granulated garlic and onion powder because the granulated form won't cling to the fries as well. Also take care to avoid garlic salt; it will make your fries too salty.
Black Pepper | Adds a subtle peppery bite.
Dried Parsley | Brings in a fresh, herbal note and adds great color to the fry seasoning. Sub in dried oregano or even thyme for a stronger herbal flavor.
Celery Salt | Adds that nostalgic fast food vibe to your fry seasoning.
Sugar | Although it might seem strange to see sugar among a list of savory spices, trust me — it belongs. Sugar gives fast-food fries their addictive quality and helps with browning if applied before cooking. It doesn't make the fries sweet; it balances the sharper, savory spices.
Cayenne Pepper | Brings a hint of heat in a small enough quantity that doesn't overpower the blend. Swap with chili powder if you'd prefer something milder.
How to Make Fry Seasoning
Mix all of the dried spices together and store in an airtight container, preferably glass (to prevent odor absorption and protect flavor). Keep in a cool, dark cabinet. Use within 6 months for best flavor, though it's safe to keep for up to a year.
How to Season Fries
Regardless of how you plan to go about whipping up your fries, fry seasoning sticks best when oil and heat come together.
Oven-Baked Fries
- For fresh-cut oven-baked french fries, place the fries on a rimmed sheet pan lined with nonstick foil, drizzle lightly with oil, and sprinkle with seasoning. Toss until evenly coated and bake as directed.
- For frozen fries, bake as directed. About 5 minutes before the cook time is up, pull the fries from the oven and spritz with cooking spray. Sprinkle fry seasoning evenly across the fries and use a set of tongs to toss and evenly coat. Return to the oven to finish baking.
Deep-Fried Fries
As soon as the French fries finish cooking, place them on a rimmed baking sheet or plate lined with paper towels. Sprinkle right away with fry seasoning.
Air-Fried Fries
- For fresh-cut fries, place the fries in a large mixing bowl, drizzle lightly with oil, and sprinkle with seasoning. Toss until evenly coated and air fry as directed.
- For frozen fries, 2-3 minutes before the cook time is up, spritz the fries with cooking spray, and sprinkle the fry seasoning evenly across the fries. Shake the basket until the fries are evenly coated with the mix. Return to the air fryer to finish cooking.
More Recipes You’ll Love
- All-Purpose Seasoning
- Salmon Seasoning
- Pork Chop Seasoning
- Steak Seasoning
- Breakfast Sausage Seasoning
French Fry Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon fine salt or table salt
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon finely ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon celery salt
- ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, for heat
Instructions
- Add above ingredients to an airtight container (preferably glass), mix with a small whisk or fork, and store in a cool, dark place.
- Use 2-3 teaspoons of seasoning per pound. Can add more if desired.
SEASONING FRESH FRIES:
- Oven-Baked | Place cut fries on a rimmed sheet pan, drizzle lightly with oil, sprinkle with fry seasoning, toss until evenly coated, and bake as directed.Air-Fried | Place cut fries in a large mixing bowl, drizzle lightly with oil, sprinkle with fry seasoning, toss until evenly coated, and air fry as directed.Deep-Fried | Fry as directed. As soon as fries come out of the oil, transfer to a paper towel–lined sheet pan or plate and sprinkle immediately with fry seasoning.
SEASONING FROZEN FRIES:
- Oven-Baked | Bake fries as directed. About 5 minutes before the cook time is up, spritz lightly with cooking spray, sprinkle evenly with fry seasoning, toss with tongs, and return to the oven to finish baking.Air-Fried | Air fry fries as directed. About 2–3 minutes before the cook time is up, spritz fries with cooking spray, sprinkle with fry seasoning, shake the basket to coat, and return to the air fryer to finish cooking.Deep-Fried | Fry as directed. As soon as fries come out of the oil, transfer to a paper towel–lined sheet pan or plate and sprinkle immediately with fry seasoning.
Leave a Reply