TikTok Crispy Giant French Fries Recipe

Regular-sized French fries? Sure, they're tasty and all, but when you're really craving a potato-packed snack, what you need is a giant French fry. These breadstick-like bad boys have taken TikTok by storm, and they are a surprisingly easy appetizer to whip up the next time you're having guests over. "These were so fun to make," says recipe developer Susan Olayinka of The Flexible Fridge. "Giant food just fascinates me. I really love the concept. It would make a great family-friendly meal, too. Kids would love it!"

Which, to that point, even though this recipe features standard potatoes, Olayinka says you could use other starchy vegetables as well, like sweet potatoes, butternut squash, or even pumpkin for a fun, fall-themed treat. Pairing this dish with a bowl of chili, a steak salad, or a baked pork chop could really round out the meal.

If your mouth is already watering, we can seriously relate. So, without further ado, let's get into how you can prepare this TikTok food trend right in your own kitchen.

To make seven giant French fries, all you need is three medium-sized potatoes (any type will do), cornstarch to act as a binding agent, spray oil to make the fries crispy, and seasonings to give the fries that perfect French fry flavor. While this recipe calls for nothing more than salt, onion powder, and black pepper, Olayinka says you can get creative. For instance, you could use paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, or Indian spices like curry powder and turmeric.

And, of course, don't forget your dipping sauce! Olayinka suggests serving these giant fries with standard ketchup.

Start by peeling your potatoes. Even if you're the type of person who likes French fries made with the skins still on, this recipe requires that you mold the potatoes into their long cylindrical shape, which means peeling them is a necessary step to create a smooth, moldable "putty" with the cooked potatoes.

Also, slicing the potatoes thin will help them cook quickly in the microwave. If they're too thick, they won't cook as quickly or as thoroughly, which is necessary for making the fries.

Once the potatoes are peeled and sliced, place the slices in a microwave-safe bowl, and microwave on high for 10 minutes. You want the potatoes to be completely cooked through and soft. If you remove them from the microwave and they still seem a little hard in the center, add another couple minutes of microwave time.

While you're cooking the potatoes in the microwave, go ahead and preheat the oven to 375 F. You can also use this time to prep a pan by covering it in tin foil, the shiny side up.

Once the potatoes are completely cooked, use a fork to mash them. Do this as thoroughly as possible. The goal here is to create a bowl of mashed potatoes that will be moldable into long, thin cylinders after the spices are added. This is why it's so important that you create a soft, smooth consistency when mashing them, so be sure to do exactly that. Once your potatoes are mashed, you're ready to move on to the next step.

Once the potatoes are mashed, it's time to add your seasonings and the binding agent. Pour your measured salt, pepper, onion powder, and cornstarch into the bowl. Use a fork or spoon to mix the potatoes well so the cornstarch and seasonings are thoroughly incorporated into the starchy vegetable. The end product should be more or less a single color and have a dough-like consistency.

Now comes one of the most exciting steps — molding your giant French fries! You'll start by removing a portion of the potato mixture from the bowl, aiming for a ball that's about 1 ½ inches in diameter. Use your hands to roll the ball into a long, thin cylinder shape. It will end up looking a bit like an unbaked bread stick. In total, you should be able to mold seven giant French fries.

Spray your tin foil-lined pan lightly with the oil spray to help prevent the giant French fries from sticking. Place the French fries on the pan, then use the spray to spray the tops and sides of the French fries as well. Place the pan and fries in the oven, and bake at 375 F for 20 minutes. 

After 20 minutes have passed, check the fries. They should be crispy and cooked through. If they don't seem quite done, continue baking for up to 10 more minutes, as needed.

When the giant French fries are crispy and well-done, remove them from the oven, and serve them while they're nice and hot. While ketchup is the natural dipping sauce, Olayinka says you can also try other options like mayonnaise, hummus, sriracha, mustard, or barbecue sauce.

And remember — it only took three medium-sized potatoes to make seven giant fries. If one potato is the equivalent of a single serving, that means a serving is a little more than two giant French fries, so don't be shy about digging in! And if you're having a big crowd over, you can easily double this recipe to feed more.