Ah, french fry seasoning. That ubiquitous orange powder that coats our hot french fries and fills the shakers on our restaurant tables. It seems like such a simple seasoning, yet it can be hard to find a consensus on what, exactly, it is. Is it just salt and pepper? Or is there something more to this magic dust? Let's take a closer look at this seasoning and see if we can't unravel the mystery once and for all.
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What is French Fry Seasoning?
It is a mixture of spices and herbs used to season fries. The components that go into making this wonderful seasoning are listed below.
The Basics: Salt, Pepper, and Paprika
Any good fries seasoning will start with the basics: salt, pepper, and paprika. Paprika is a spice made from dried red peppers and its smoky flavor pairs well with both salt and pepper. This trio forms the foundation of most fry seasonings, but there's often more to it than that.
Onion Powder and Garlic Powder
You'll often see onion powder and garlic powder listed as ingredients in french fry seasoning. These two seasonings add depth of flavor to the mix and help round out the taste. They also tend to add a bit of color, which can be helpful in creating that signature orange hue.
Other Common additions
While salt, pepper, paprika, garlic, and onion powder are the most common ingredients in this seasoning, there are a few other seasonings that you might find in the mix as well. These include parsley, basil, oregano, thyme, and cayenne powder. All of these seasonings have their own unique flavor profiles that can help to create a more complex overall taste.
Ingredients in French Fries Seasoning Powder
We're going to take a closer look at some of the most common ingredients in this seasoning and explain how they help liven up your fresh or frozen french fries.
1. Onion Powder
Onion powder is probably the most essential ingredient in any french fry seasoning. After all, what are french fries without onions? Onion powder not only adds onion flavor, but it also helps to provide a lovely savory umami flavor.
2. Garlic Powder
It is another key ingredient in french fry seasoning. Like onion powder, it helps to add both garlic flavor and savory umami flavor. In addition, it also has a bit of a kick to it which can really liven up your french fries.
3. Paprika
Paprika is a spice made from dried and ground red peppers. It's often used as a colorant in food, but it also has a mild spicy flavor that can add depth to your french fry seasoning. If you want your seasoned fries to have a bit of heat, make sure to use paprika!
4. Dried Parsley
Dried parsley is commonly used as a garnish, but it can also add a touch of freshness to your french fry seasoning mix. It is particularly good at cutting through the grease of fried foods.
5. Dried Oregano
Dried oregano is another herb that can add both flavor and freshness to your french fry seasoning. Oregano has a slightly bitter taste that helps to balance out the other flavors in the seasoning.
6. Dried Basil
Like oregano, basil also has a slightly bitter taste that helps balance out the flavors in your french fry seasoning. In addition, basil also has a slight sweetness which can add an interesting twist to your seasonings.
7. Dried Thyme
Thyme is yet another herb that can add both flavor and freshness to your french fries seasoning mix. Thyme has a slightly minty flavor which can help liven up your fries.
8. Black Pepper
Ground black pepper is often used as a finishing touch on dishes like french fries. Black pepper adds a bit of heat and spicy flavor that can really make your fries pop. Just be careful not to use too much black pepper or your fries will be too spicy!
9. Cayenne Powder
Cayenne powder is made from dried and ground chili peppers. It's very similar to paprika but with one key difference: cayenne powder is much hotter! If you want your french fry seasoning to have some real kick, make sure to use cayenne powder instead of paprika.
10. Sea Salt
Sea salt is the perfect finishing touch for any dish—including French fries! A little bit of sea salt helps to bring out all the other flavors in your dish and makes them pop. Just be careful not to use too much salt or your fries will be too salty!
French Fry Seasoning Substitutes
If you're out of french fry seasoning mix or simply want to try something new, there are plenty of other options that can give your fries a flavorful kick. Here are five substitutes for french fry seasoning that you may already have in your pantry.
1. All Purpose Seasoning: All purpose seasoning is a blend of herbs and spices that can be used on just about anything. It's the perfect substitute for french fry seasoning because it's packed with flavor but not too overpowering. Simply sprinkle it on your fries and enjoy.
2. Cajun Seasoning: Cajun seasoning is a blend of spices originating from Louisiana. It typically contains paprika, garlic powder, salt, chili powder, and pepper. This spice mix is perfect for those who like their fries with a little bit of heat.
3. Taco Seasoning: Taco seasoning is a blend of spices typically used in Mexican cuisine. It usually contains chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and salt. This spice mix is perfect for giving your fries a south-of-the-border twist.
4. Jerk Seasoning: Jerk seasoning is a blend of spices originating from Jamaica. It typically contains allspice, chili powder, thyme, ginger, and powdered garlic. This spice mix is perfect for those who like their fries with a little bit of heat.
5. Seasoned Salt: Seasoned salt is a blend of herbs and spices that can be used on just about anything. It's the perfect substitute for french fry seasoning because it's packed with flavor but not too overpowering.
People Also Ask [FAQs]
You should not season food before deep frying because salt will draw moisture to the food's surface and cause the hot oil to splatter.
There are many types of seasonings that can be put on chips. Some common seasonings are salt, pepper, vinegar, and chili powder. There are also many brands of seasoning mixes that can be used on chips. Some popular brands are Old Bay, Mrs. Dash, and Tony Chachere's.
Wrap Up: French Fry Seasoning
- This seasoning blend is a delicious way to add flavor to your fried foods. While the exact ingredients can vary depending on the brand or recipe, most french fry seasonings will include salt, pepper, paprika, garlic, and onion powder.
- Other common additions include chili powder, cumin, oregano, thyme, and cayenne powder. All of these seasonings work together to create a delicious flavor that enhances your favorite fried foods.
- We also covered the five best substitutes for french fry seasoning that you may already have in your pantry.
- This seasoning can be used for either fresh or frozen fries, skin-on potato wedges, roast or baked potatoes, sweet potato fries, veggies, burgers, steaks, and more!
- Give this french fry seasoning recipe a try and let us know what you think! We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
🍽️ Recipe
Yummy Homemade French Fry Seasoning
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons onion powder or ½ teaspoon of onion salt
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder or ½ teaspoon of garlic salt
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne powder
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together all of the ingredients.
- Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months.
- To use, sprinkle on French fries before baking or serving.
Notes
- When using this French Fry Seasoning recipe, be sure to mix it together well before using it. This will ensure that the spices are evenly distributed, and your fries will have a delicious flavor.
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