Masala fries. Want to give your fries the gourmet touch? This recipe pairs your favorite French fries with classic spices and tomatoes to recreate mouthwatering street style snack at home. For added flavor, spice up the base masala sauce with chat masala. The final sprinkle with coriander (cilantro) leaves and a fresh squeeze of lemon completes the picture.
Who created fries, the most favorite snack on the planet? Well, I’m not planning to unravel the culinary mysteries behind its creation, but just giving it a simple addition of Indian spices to impart more flavor and taste to the classic. To be exact, the use of spices cuts right through the crispiness of the fries, and this is my favorite way to enjoy fries. These fries instantly absorb the flavors making this so addicting.
Amongst the tons of variations of fries, this street style is my favorite. It’s sort of like loaded fries but with just the spices. The crispiness of fries deliciously balances the sweet and savory flavors of the sauce. In short, there’s no shortage of deliciousness, but I’d recommend tossing fries with the masala sauce just before serving to avoid soggy fries. A total no-brainer to make!
Key Ingredients In Masala Fries
- French fries - Make from scratch or opt for frozen.
- Spices - Combination of ground cumin, red chili powder and chat masala.
- Tomato purée - It adds the beautiful red color.
- Tomato sauce or ketchup - For color and taste.
- Coriander or cilantro leaves - They add a lovely contrast to the red fries.
How To Make Masala Fries
Make French fries - You can choose from homemade or store bought. If you are after the homemade version, check out the recipe with detailed instructions on the blog. The frozen store bought fries are the easy way to go if you are short on time.
Masala sauce - Start with sauteing onions followed by frying ginger and garlic. Add the spices and fry until you get a nice aroma. Give a quick stir fry with tomato purée and ketchup to make the sauce.
Toss - Mix together fries and masala sauce, and garnish with coriander leaves. A splash of fresh lemon juice gives it a refreshing tang.
Ingredients
French fries:
- ▢ 400 g French fries, homemade or frozen
- ▢ Oil for spraying
Masala sauce:
- ▢ 2 teaspoons oil
- ▢ ½ cup chopped onions
- ▢ 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ▢ 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- ▢ ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ▢ ½ teaspoon red chili powder
- ▢ ½ teaspoon chat masala
- ▢ ½ tablespoon tomato paste
- ▢ 1 tablespoon ketchup or tomato sauce
- ▢ Salt to taste
Garnish:
- ▢ Coriander cilantro leaves, chopped
- ▢ Lemon juice
Serve (choose one):
- ▢ Garlic yogurt sauce
- ▢ Mint chutney
- ▢ Sweet chili sauce
Instructions
Cook French fries:
- To cook frozen French fries, arrange the fries on a large baking tray in a single layer.
- Preheat oven to 200 C / 400 F. Lightly spray the fries with oil and bake for about 25-30 minutes or until crisp and golden.
- Alternatively, you can deep fry the fries, or make homemade fries.
Masala fries:
- Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat.
- Add onions. Saute, stirring occasionally, for about 2-3 minutes or until soft and translucent.
- Add garlic and ginger. Saute, stirring, for about 1 minute or until fragrant.
- Add cumin, red chili powder and chat masala. Saute, stirring, for about 30 seconds or until aromatic.
- Add tomato paste and ketchup (tomato sauce). Stir to combine. Season with salt.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 1-2 minutes.
- Add cooked fries just before serving. Toss.
- Garnish with chopped coriander (cilantro) leaves.
- Drizzle with fresh lemon juice.
Video
Notes
- Make it cheesy - Add grated cheese for cheesy fries.
- Make ahead instructions - Make masala sauce and fries a few hours ahead, and just toss and garnish before serving.
- Seasoning variations - Replace chat masala and spices with your favorite like taco seasoning, cajun spices, or Italian seasoning.
Nutrition
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Ingredients
French fries:
- ▢ 400 g French fries, homemade or frozen
- ▢ Oil for spraying
Masala sauce:
- ▢ 2 teaspoons oil
- ▢ ½ cup chopped onions
- ▢ 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ▢ 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- ▢ ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ▢ ½ teaspoon red chili powder
- ▢ ½ teaspoon chat masala
- ▢ ½ tablespoon tomato paste
- ▢ 1 tablespoon ketchup or tomato sauce
- ▢ Salt to taste
Garnish:
- ▢ Coriander cilantro leaves, chopped
- ▢ Lemon juice
Serve (choose one):
- ▢ Garlic yogurt sauce
- ▢ Mint chutney
- ▢ Sweet chili sauce
Instructions
Cook French fries:
- To cook frozen French fries, arrange the fries on a large baking tray in a single layer.
- Preheat oven to 200 C / 400 F. Lightly spray the fries with oil and bake for about 25-30 minutes or until crisp and golden.
- Alternatively, you can deep fry the fries, or make homemade fries.
Masala fries:
- Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat.
- Add onions. Saute, stirring occasionally, for about 2-3 minutes or until soft and translucent.
- Add garlic and ginger. Saute, stirring, for about 1 minute or until fragrant.
- Add cumin, red chili powder and chat masala. Saute, stirring, for about 30 seconds or until aromatic.
- Add tomato paste and ketchup (tomato sauce). Stir to combine. Season with salt.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 1-2 minutes.
- Add cooked fries just before serving. Toss.
- Garnish with chopped coriander (cilantro) leaves.
- Drizzle with fresh lemon juice.
Video
Notes
- Make it cheesy - Add grated cheese for cheesy fries.
- Make ahead instructions - Make masala sauce and fries a few hours ahead, and just toss and garnish before serving.
- Seasoning variations - Replace chat masala and spices with your favorite like taco seasoning, cajun spices, or Italian seasoning.
