If there is only thing that I could pick to declare as my absolute favorite type of food, it would have to be fried food in all its forms. I already love vegetables, but I ADORE fried vegetables, particularly every shape of french fry ever! #brbwhileIstuffmyface
But seriously, after you eat it for a while, french fries can get kind of stale and boring - I may or may not know this from personal experience. Fortunately, there is a wealth of alternatives to the traditional french fry out there to help you get your fried vegetable fix. So without further ado, here are 10 fry recipes to make this weekend to celebrate FRYday!
1. Halloumi Fries
Fried cheese? Yes, please. Tender, squeaky, salty halloumi is coated and deep-fried until crisp. Serve this with your favorite yogurt dip.
2. Paneer Fries/Chips
In keeping with the fried cheese theme, here's another fry, or chip, as they say across the pond, recipe from THE one and only Chetna Makan from The Great British Bake Off. Tender fingers of paneer or Indian farmer's cheese are coated in a gently spiced batter and fried until golden brown. I've also made a baked version of these before that is AMAZING. I REPEAT, AMAZING.
3. Fake Frites
No deep fryer? No problem. This recipe, optimized by the staff at Food52, is the answer to when you crave a good deep-fried potato but want to skip the fat. I've also made a version of this recipe, and trust me when I say that it really does stand up to the OG french fry.
4. Buttercup Squash Fries
For when you want a more sweet-and-savory version of your typical frites, this recipe has got your back. Aube Giroux's farm-to-table version of the humble fry doesn't fail to disappoint in delivering big, fresh, bold flavors every time.
5. Carrot Fries
Orange you glad there's a tastier way to get your vitamin A? These carrot fries are simply irresistible, and this recipe from the BBC Good Food site does not disappoint. If there's one thing I would add to it, it would be a light dusting of parmesan over the top #drool.
6. Eggplant Fries
These fries give off some serious eggplant parmesan vibes, and as a lover of all things eggplant, I am here for it! Eggplant batons are fried until crispy and are dusted with salty parmesan cheese and served with marinara sauce.
7. Portobello Mushroom Fries
Think you don't have mushroom in your repertoire for yet another fry recipe? Open your mind to these portobello fries.
#SpoonTip: Serve these batons with a dusting of parmesan and a ramekin of marinara for dipping - you won't regret it.
8. Mixed Root Vegetable Home Fries with Balsamic Glaze
I love the simplicity of Katie Brown's recipes, and this recipe is no exception. Ok, this isn't technically a fry recipe, but it's pretty close - this medley of roasted root vegetables is perfect as a winter side to a family meal or just for snacking with a good dipping sauce on the side.
9. Zucchini Fries
Sarah Carey's recipes from Everyday Food never fail to disappoint. Crispy, crunchy, and cheesy, these zucchini fries are so good, you won't be left with a hankering for deep-fried spuds after eating these.
So from this potato lover, trust me when I say that when you're looking to switch up your fry routine, these substitutes hit the spot. You definitely won't miss the oil when you try these out for your next FRYday night soiree!
Happy cooking!