Peri Peri French Fries

Peri-peri fries are easy to make. The peri-peri seasoning gives these french fries a delicious and unique flavor with a touch of spice. These fries make the perfect side dish or snack.

If you've been eating french fries all your life like me, you know how delicious they are. But they are even more delicious when you add a little extra spice to them. These peri-peri french fries have become a favorite of mine.

The peri-peri seasoning gives the fries a slightly spicy and very unique flavor. If you love sweetness, drizzle a little honey over the top and top with fresh herbs. Or just eat the peri-peri fries as is or with your favorite dipping sauce.

Ingredients:

• French fries (frozen fries, or potatoes for making fresh)
• Peri-peri seasoning (if you can't find it, make homemade peri-peri spice)
• Oil (if making homemade fries)
• Honey (optional)
• Fresh thyme (optional)

What is peri-peri?

Peri-peri seasoning is a spice blend made with African bird's eye chili peppers (or cayenne pepper), and a bunch of other things like oregano, garlic powder, ground cardamom, paprika, etc. It's so flavorful and complex and it has a bit of heat, depending on how much pepper the spice blend has.

You can also find peri-peri sauce in bottled versions from various brands. Our post about Trader Joe's vs Nando's peri-peri sauce compares the two.

For this recipe, you'll use peri-peri seasoning, not sauce.

Customizations:

To customize, you can add more or less peri-peri seasoning as you like. You could also add additional spices if you prefer. You can sprinkle salt on your cooked fries if you feel they need it!

I also love my peri-peri french fries drizzled with honey and topped with fresh herbs.

They are also delicious with dipping sauces! I love this honey mustard bbq sauce or cumin lime ketchup.

What to serve with peri-peri fries:

Peri-peri fries are delicious served with air fryer chicken cutlets, honey harissa chicken, or alongside some pan con tomate.

Recipe tips:

• The french fries can be made with frozen fries or fresh potatoes. Read the post to find out how to make each version. With the oven-baked version, you'll toss in the peri-peri seasoning before cooking, while the other two versions have you toss in the seasoning mix after cooking.
• Make sure you're using the right amount of peri-peri seasoning based on how much spice you want in your dish. If you want your fries spicier, add additional peri-peri spice or cayenne pepper.

How to make with frozen french fries:

First, cook the frozen fries according to package directions. This can be done by baking in the oven or cooking your frozen french fries in an air fryer basket.

After the french fries are golden brown and done cooking, add to a large bowl. Add the peri peri seasoning to the bowl and toss to combine.

Plate, then top as desired. I served drizzled with honey and fresh thyme.

How to make with homemade oven-baked fries:

You don't have to use frozen fries to make peri-peri fries. You can use fresh potatoes and make oven baked fries.

To make oven-baked fries, take russet potatoes or yukon gold potatoes and cut into wedges. I typically cut each potato into 8 wedges.

Add the potatoes to a large bowl, then drizzle with olive oil, peri-peri seasoning, a sprinkling of salt and then toss to combine. Cook at 425 degrees in the oven for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through. Serve as desired.

How to make with crispy fried French fries:

To make homemade fried french fries, slice your potatoes into thin strips, as shown below. Place in a bowl of cold water for 20 minutes. Remove from the water and toss in a corn flour mix or some regular flour.

Add to hot oil and fry until crispy. Drain on paper towels.

Add the crispy fries to a large bowl, and add the peri-peri spice blend and toss to combine, then serve as desired.

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