✔ Published · new copycat recipe with air fryer and Frings ideas
These copycat Burger King fries wear a thin, seasoned coat that keeps them crunchy long after they leave the fryer. Fry them twice for fluffy middles and golden, salty edges. Fry night just got serious!
How Do You Make Burger King-Style Fries? (Quick Answer)
Cut russets into 3/8-inch fries, soak 30 minutes and dry well. Dip them in a thin batter of flour, cornstarch, seasonings and cold water, fry at 325°F (165°C) for 4 to 5 minutes, rest, then fry again at 375°F (190°C) for 2 to 3 minutes. Salt and serve.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Keep the batter thin, about like heavy cream, and let the extra drip off. A heavy coat turns into a doughy shell; a whisper-thin one gives that light, lasting crunch you know from the drive-thru.
Why You'll Love These Fries
- Stay crisp longer than plain homemade fries, thanks to the light coating.
- Fluffy inside, from the low first fry.
- Freezer friendly: par-fry a big batch and finish from frozen.
- Seasoned all over, with onion and garlic in the coating.
- Frings ready: pair them with onion rings for a half-and-half basket.
What Makes Burger King-Style Fries Crispy?
The secret is a very thin coating. A light batter with cornstarch and a pinch of baking powder fries into a delicate shell that holds its crunch, even as the fries cool.
Double frying does the rest: a gentle first fry for fluffy centers and a hot second fry for color. More drive-thru sides are in our Burger King copycat recipes.
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Use russets. High-starch potatoes fry up fluffy inside; waxy potatoes stay dense.
- Cut evenly. Same-size fries cook at the same rate, so none burn while others stay raw. A little patience here pays off big.
- Dry before coating. Water thins the batter and makes hot oil spatter. Pat, pat, pat!
- Use a thermometer. The two temperatures, 325°F (165°C) then 375°F (190°C), are what make double frying work.
- Don't crowd the pot. Fry in batches so the oil stays hot and the fries don't clump together.
- Salt immediately. Salt sticks best to fries straight out of the oil, so have it ready and waiting.
Copycat Burger King Fries
4
servings45
minutes20
minutes330
kcal1
hour5
minutesBurger King-inspired fries: medium-cut russet potatoes, soaked, dried and dipped in a thin seasoned batter, par-fried at 325°F (165°C), rested, then fried again at 375°F (190°C) until golden. The light coating keeps them crisp longer. Serves 4.
Ingredients
- For the Fries
2 lb russet potatoes (about 4 medium), peeled
8 cups neutral oil, such as peanut or canola, for frying
1 teaspoon fine salt, for finishing
- For the Thin Batter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/3 cup ice-cold water
Directions
- Cut and Soak
- Cut the potatoes into sticks about 3/8 inch thick.
- Soak them in a bowl of cold water for 30 minutes to rinse off surface starch.
- Drain and dry the fries very well on clean kitchen towels. Any water left on them makes the oil spit and the coating slide off.
- Coat and Fry Twice
- Heat 3 inches of oil in a heavy pot or deep fryer to 325°F (165°C). Whisk the flour, cornstarch, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, baking powder and cold water into a thin batter, like heavy cream. Toss the dry fries in it and let the excess drip off.
- Fry in 3 or 4 batches for 4 to 5 minutes, until cooked through but still pale. Lift onto a wire rack.
- Rest the par-fried fries for at least 15 minutes (or freeze them on a tray for crisper results). Raise the oil to 375°F (190°C).
- Fry again in batches for 2 to 3 minutes, until golden and crisp.
- Drain on the rack, toss with salt right away and serve hot.
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Fry or Air Fry: Times and Temperatures
| Method | Temperature | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| First fry | 325°F (165°C) oil | 4 to 5 min | Cooked through, still pale |
| Second fry | 375°F (190°C) oil | 2 to 3 min | Golden and crisp |
| Second fry from frozen | 375°F (190°C) oil | 3 to 4 min | No need to thaw |
| Air fryer (coated, raw) | 380°F (195°C) | 18 to 22 min | Spray with oil, shake often |
| Reheat | 400°F (200°C) air fryer | 3 to 4 min | Single layer |
Make Frings at Home
Frings is a half-and-half basket of fries and onion rings. Bread a batch of our Burger King-style onion rings while the par-fried fries rest, fry the rings at 350°F (175°C), then give the fries their second fry at 375°F (190°C). Serve with copycat zesty sauce or Royal sauce.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Thick batter: it fries into a heavy, bready shell.
- Wet potatoes: the coating slides off and the oil spatters.
- One fry only: you can't get fluffy centers and crisp edges in one go.
- Skipping the thermometer: oil that is too cool makes greasy fries; too hot burns the coating.
More Burger King Copycat Recipes
Serve these fries with a copycat Whopper, a plant-based Impossible Whopper-style burger or chicken nuggets, with mozzarella sticks on the side. Comparing fries? Try our McDonald's fries and Five Guys Cajun fries.
Browse all our Burger King copycat recipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Burger King fries different from other fries?
They are known for a thin coating that helps them stay crisp. This copycat recreates that with a light batter of flour, cornstarch, seasonings and cold water before the fries are fried twice.
Do I have to fry them twice?
For the best texture, yes. The first fry at 325°F (165°C) cooks the inside, and the second at 375°F (190°C) crisps and browns the coating. A single fry gives either pale, soft fries or burnt edges with raw centers.
Can I make these fries in the air fryer?
Yes. After coating, spray the fries with oil and air fry in a single layer at 380°F (195°C) for 18 to 22 minutes, shaking every 5 minutes, until golden. They are less crunchy than deep-fried but still good.
Can I freeze them?
Freeze par-fried, cooled fries on a tray, then bag them for up to 3 months. Fry from frozen at 375°F (190°C) for 3 to 4 minutes, or air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10 to 14 minutes.
What are Frings?
Frings is a half-and-half basket of fries and onion rings. Make a batch of these fries and a batch of onion rings, fry the rings at 350°F (175°C), and serve them together with dipping sauce.
How do I reheat fries?
Spread them out and reheat in a 400°F (200°C) air fryer for 3 to 4 minutes or oven for 5 to 8 minutes. The microwave makes them soft.
