Copycat Chick-fil-A Waffle Fries Recipe

Golden waffle fries with crispy edges and fluffy centers are absolutely worth making at home, especially when you are building a full copycat fast-food night. The key is not a secret ingredient. It is consistent cuts, a good rinse, thorough drying, and frying in manageable batches.

Featured image: Connie Ma, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0.

Recipe at a Glance

• Prep: 15 minutes
• Cook: 8 to 10 minutes per batch
• Bake: Not applicable for the deep-fryer method
• Chill: Not required
• Rest: 30-minute potato soak
• Total: About 55 minutes
• Servings: 4
• Difficulty: Easy

What You Need

The existing recipe did not provide measured quantities, so the ingredient list remains unchanged rather than adding unsupported measurements.

• Russet potatoes
• Neutral frying oil
• Salt

How to Make Copycat Chick-fil-A Waffle Fries

1. Wash the potatoes. Scrub the russet potatoes well under cool running water. You can peel them, but leaving the skin on gives the fries a more rustic texture.
2. Cut the waffle shapes. Use a waffle cutter or crinkle blade. Make one cut, rotate the potato, then make the next cut so the slices create the classic crosshatched waffle shape. Keep the slices as even as you can so they cook at the same rate.
3. Rinse. Put the cut potatoes in cold water and rinse until the water runs mostly clear. This removes excess surface starch that can interfere with crisping.
4. Soak. Cover the cut potatoes with cold water and let them soak for about 30 minutes.
5. Dry thoroughly. Drain the potatoes and pat them very dry with clean kitchen towels. This step matters for both safety and texture because water hitting hot oil can splatter.
6. Heat the oil. For deep frying, heat neutral oil to about 350°F. Use a thermometer so you can monitor the temperature instead of guessing.
7. Fry in batches. Carefully add a small batch of potatoes. Do not crowd the pot because too many potatoes can drop the oil temperature and leave you with greasy fries.
8. Drain and season. When the fries are golden and crisp with tender centers, move them to a wire rack to drain. Season with salt while they are still hot.

Air Fryer Method

For an air-fryer version, toss the thoroughly dried waffle-cut potatoes lightly with oil. Arrange them in a single layer with room for air to circulate. Air fry at 400°F for roughly 15 to 20 minutes, shaking or turning halfway through. Exact timing depends on slice thickness and the air fryer.

Substitutions

• Russet potatoes: Best for a fluffy center and crisp exterior, but another starchy potato can work.
• Neutral oil: Choose a frying oil with a high smoke point and mild flavor.
• Seasoning: Salt is the simple classic. Add other seasonings after cooking if desired.

Tips and Troubleshooting

• Fries are soggy: Dry the potatoes more thoroughly and avoid overcrowding the fryer.
• Fries brown before the center cooks: Lower the oil temperature slightly and give the next batch more time.
• Oil temperature drops dramatically: Fry a smaller batch.
• Oil splatters: The potatoes still contain too much water. Drain and dry them carefully before frying.
• Uneven cooking: Cut the potatoes to a consistent thickness and rotate the potato consistently while using the waffle cutter.

Storage and Reheating

These fries are best shortly after cooking. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container and reheat them in an air fryer or hot oven until crisp. Avoid microwaving when possible because it softens the crust.

Frequently Asked Questions

What potatoes work best?

Russet potatoes are the best choice here because their starch content helps create a fluffy interior and crisp exterior.

Can I make these ahead?

Yes. Cut and rinse the potatoes ahead, then keep them cold and dry them thoroughly immediately before cooking. Cooked fries are best served fresh.

Can I air fry them?

Yes. Toss the dried waffle cuts lightly with oil and air fry at 400°F, shaking or turning halfway through.

Shop This Recipe

• Shop the ThermoPro TP19H Digital Meat Thermometer for checking cooking temperatures
• Shop the Nordic Ware Cooling Rack Set for draining fries without trapping steam underneath

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Build a Chick-fil-A Copycat Meal

These fries are a natural side for the Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich and Copycat Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese. That creates a complete chicken-sandwich, fries, and mac dinner from the same restaurant cluster. For a heartier comfort-food spread, add Copycat Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole for a brunch or family-style side table. For more recipes from the same collection, browse Chick-fil-A Copycat Recipes, or explore the larger Copycat Recipes hub.