Homemade French Fry Seasoning
Homemade french fry seasoning is a simple blend of salt, paprika, garlic powder, pepper, parsley, cayenne, garlic salt, and celery salt that takes five minutes to mix together with pantry staples. Sprinkle it on hot fries straight out of the oven, air fryer, or deep fryer for a flavor boost that you can’t get with plain salt alone. It also works on tater tots, sweet potato fries, chicken wings, and roasted vegetables. Keeps for several months in an airtight jar.
I am a salt purist when it comes to french fries, but every now and then I want something with a little more personality, and that is exactly what this homemade fry seasoning adds.
Sprinkle it on your fries before you dip them in Fry Sauce or serve them with these Mini Chicken and Waffle Sliders. It’s also an easy seasoning swap for Garlic Parmesan Fries and Air Fryer Tater Tots when you want flavor without a big fuss.
Whatever your favorite cut of fry is, mine happens to be steak fries, a good dusting of this blend is really all you need. Five minutes, pantry spices, and you will never look at a plain fry the same way again.
What Is Fry Seasoning?
Fry seasoning is a savory spice blend made to be sprinkled directly onto hot fries right after cooking. Some “seasoned” fries you find at restaurants are actually coated in a thin breading loaded with herbs and spices before frying, but my homemade fry seasoning skips all of that.
It is simply a mix of pantry spices you sprinkle on at the end, which means it works on any cut of fry and any cooking method.
Need it salt-free? Just leave the salt out entirely and the rest of the blend still delivers plenty of flavor.
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See recipe card for complete information on ingredients and their quantities.
Ingredient Notes
Salt – the foundation of the blend. Kosher salt is the go-to here, but flaky sea salt works just as well if that is what you have on hand.
Paprika – adds color and a mild sweetness. Regular paprika keeps things classic, but smoked paprika is a great substitute if you want extra smoky flavor.
Garlic powder – the flavor backbone that makes these taste like more than just salted fries.
Pepper – adds a little heat and rounds out the blend so it does not taste one-note.
Parsley – a small touch of color and freshness that keeps the blend from tasting flat.
Cayenne pepper (optional) – leave it out if you want a milder blend, or keep it in for a subtle kick that builds with every bite.
Garlic salt – a quick boost of extra garlic flavor. If you do not have it on hand, just add a little more garlic powder instead.
Celery salt – adds a savory depth that is easy to skip if it is not your thing, but worth trying if you have never used it on fries before.
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How To Make Homemade French Fry Seasoning
- Combine all the ingredients in a bowl until thoroughly mixed.
- Store in a cool, dry, dark place in an airtight container. Sprinkle on plain hot fries and enjoy.
For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
How to Use Fry Seasoning
Use about 2 teaspoons of seasoning per 8 ounces of fries, and adjust based on how you are cooking them.
Oven-baked fries: Brush with oil or spray with cooking spray, then sprinkle on the seasoning before baking.
Air frying: Spread fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Once they start to cook, open the basket and sprinkle on the seasoning so it sticks to the hot, slightly oily surface.
Deep frying: Season the fries the moment they come out of the fryer while they are still hot and glistening with a little oil. This is what helps the seasoning cling instead of falling right off.
Storage
Store this fry seasoning in an airtight container, like a small spice jar, in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. It will keep for several months.
Make a batch and portion some out in mini jars for a thoughtful neighbor or coworker gift.
Variations
Make it smokier – swap regular paprika for smoked paprika for a deeper, more barbecue-style flavor.
Make it spicier – increase the cayenne pepper or add a pinch of red pepper flakes for more heat.
Make it salt-free – leave the salt out entirely and season your fries separately to control sodium exactly how you like it.
Recipes Using This Fry Seasoning
Air Fryer Tater Tots – currently plain, these tots are an easy candidate for a sprinkle of this seasoning right out of the air fryer.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges – uses many of the same spices already, so this blend is a simple one-jar swap instead of measuring out several.
Baked Sweet Potato Fries – same easy swap as the wedges, with the added bonus of one less spice jar to dig through.
Cajun Fries – this seasoning works as a milder substitute when you want flavor without the heat level of cajun seasoning.
Garlic Parmesan Fries – sprinkle this on before adding the garlic parm coating for an extra layer of flavor underneath.
What to Make With It
Fry Sauce – the perfect dipping companion for a basket of seasoned fries.
Mini Chicken and Waffle Sliders – a fun match for a side of seasoned fries at the same meal.
Buffalo Fries – currently unseasoned, these are an easy candidate for a flavor boost with this blend before the buffalo sauce goes on.
Cheesy Loaded Fries – another unseasoned recipe that could use a sprinkle of this underneath all that cheese.
Air Fryer Potato Chips — a crispy snack that has never been seasoned before but would be a perfect match for this blend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use about 2 teaspoons per 8 ounces of fries as a starting point, then adjust to taste depending on how bold you like the flavor.
Yes. It works great on chicken wings, tater tots, sweet potato fries, roasted or baked potatoes, burgers, chicken sandwiches, sliders, and steamed or roasted vegetables.
Toss the homemade fries in olive oil to lightly coat them. You can also spray with a light cooking spray, or brush the oil on them with a pastry brush. Sprinkle on the seasoning and it will stick to the potatoes. Then bake or fry as usual. Frozen french fries are easy to season because they have a layer of moisture on them when you remove them from the freezer.
Absolutely. It works on fresh or frozen fries, waffle fries, and potato wedges no matter how you are cooking them.
Yes. Simply leave the salt out of the blend entirely and season your fries with salt separately if needed.
Stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight, it will keep for several months.
Looking for more ways to flavor your favorite meals? Check out our full collection of Homemade Spice Mixes and Seasoning Blends.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Store this fry seasoning in small spice jars so it is easy to grab and use right when your fries come out hot.
- Make a double batch and give some away in mini jars as a simple homemade gift for a neighbor or coworker.
- Season fries immediately after cooking while they still have a little oil or moisture on them so the seasoning actually sticks instead of falling to the bottom of the basket.
This homemade fry seasoning recipe takes five minutes to make and turns plain fries into something worth getting excited about, no matter how you like to cook them.
If you love this recipe as much as I do, please leave us a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ five-star review in the comment section below. Thanks!
Homemade French Fry Seasoning Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon parsley
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic salt
- ⅛ teaspoon celery salt
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients until thoroughly mixed.
- Store in a cool, dry, dark place in an airtight container.
- Sprinkle on plain hot fries. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Store this fry seasoning in small spice jars so it is easy to grab and use right when your fries come out hot.
- Make a double batch and give some away in mini jars as a simple homemade gift for a neighbor or coworker.
- Season fries immediately after cooking while they still have a little oil or moisture on them so the seasoning actually sticks instead of falling to the bottom of the basket.
Nutrition
(Originally published 06/05/2020 – photos and recipe notes updated 04/04/24. Recipe remains the same.)
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Best ever. My hubby loves this.
I am so glad you like it!!
I have a similar recipe but add teeny bit of sugar and a little bit dry BBQ seasoning (usually it’s hickory flavored). You’re welcome
This fry seasoning was great! I was a little worried about all of the salt in the blend, but it turned out tasting great, and not too salty. I put this blend on homemade hash browns to go with our burgers, and my boyfriend said it was one of the best recipes he has tried, and I give all credit to your seasoning blend! Thank you so very much for this recipe! 10/10 will recommend!
Thank you so much! I can see why everyone is worried about salt content but salt actually enhances the flavor of the other ingredients. I love that you put it on the hash browns! So fun!
This seasoning was incredible!
We love this spice mix for fries and it’s amazing on fish too!
My youngest adores fry seasoning and I’m not a fan of storebought with the fillers, so made him a big bottle to take to college with him. He was thrilled and is enjoying it on so many things he said!
Delicious and so fun for our weekend fries!
This seasoning has the best flavor! I’m going to use it again for steak and frites for Valentine’s Day!
This is my go too seasoning that I’m using on fish too!
Made this seasoning today. Added it to my morning eggs and then the fries at dinner. Winner!
What a great way to use it! Thanks for the tip:)
I had never thought of the spices after. These were so delicious! I can’t wait to try it on other things. We are babies in the heat department so I cut the hot parts in half.
Hi Jennifer,
Whats your thoughts on smoked paprika and seasoning fresh cut fries as opposed to post seasoning? Ingredients look great.
I love adding smoked paprika to the mix. It can be a little strong for some people so if you add it I would start with a small amount and slowly increase it. In regards to the seasoning, I am fine doing it beforehand if you are air frying or baking but with deep frying the seasoning tends to burn and make the oil gross. So if deep frying I would try and season after you cook but other methods I don’t have a problem with seasoning before you cook them. Especially if you are using frozen fries. The ice crystals on them help the seasoning to stick while baking. I hope this helps!
Can you use sweet paprika instead of regular paprika?
You can but it will change the flavor profile slightly. I would start with a small amount and taste it to see before making a full batch.
Best I ever had!!!!!!
I’ve been using it, since last year.
You’re the greatest, everyone loves it.
Thanks so much!
This is the best French fry seasoning I’ve ever had. Everyone loves our homemade fries when we use this seasoning! Thanks for sharing!
Very good recipe ,my family loved it’s easy and very tasty
Why Garlic salt with Garlic & Salt separately? Just add more Salt & Garlic, forget the ‘Garlic Salt’
Garlic salt is ground pretty fine and I like to have some texture. And I use Kosher salt in the mix as well which gives it a different flavor. Feel free to just add more garlic salt if that is what you like.
a great recipe , I cut back on the salt 🙂
I love trying all kinds
Of seasonings. This now my new one and love is so much. I put it on everything
. Thank you!
Thank you so much! I am so glad you liked it!
Before making fries using this recipe, I looked to see what other thought about it. No one wrote anything just left 4 or 5 stars so I figured it must be pretty good, & it was. I made ut by the recipe given & it was enough to sprinkle on my fries 4 times. Now I don’t have to go to Bojangles or anywhere else to get great french fries. Thanks for sharing this with us.
5 stars. Very good and easy to make.
This recipe is crazy…….Waaaaaaay too much salt!
I always enjoy customizable spices because YOU control the amount of salt in them.
Great recipe! Thank you!
Didn’t have the garlic salt or celery salt, still had great flavor. I used cubed sweet potatoes, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with seasoning then roasted in the oven. YUM!
I just tried your recipe on Fresh cut French fries .. my son and I love it! Made some extra too ! Thanks
Really enjoy this recipe with my hand cut French fries. Left the cayenne out just Incase my kiddos wanted some.
So glad you liked it!!
How can I make extra crispy French fries??
The best way is to soak the potatoes, if making from scratch, or if you are using frozen french fries, make sure all the frost is off the fries before frying. I like to use my air fryer to make the extra crispy.
The absolute best fries are Fresh cut with Gold Potatoes, I cut and soak in cold water for a few hours in the fridge, then drain and dump them out on a clean big towel, dry them so they are really dry, then fry them. with golds you dont even have to Double fry just once. The best and best flavor of any potato
@Jennifer,
This was so good! I didnt have celery salt, but crushed up some celery flakes in there instead. I also didnt have garlic salt so I used california style garlic powder instead. Inwas skeptical of the cayenne, but it was the perfect amount. Thank u!
So glad you liked it! I will have to try the celery leaves!
Why use garlic powder and garlic salt? Isnt garlic salt just garlic powder and salt?
I think the garlic salt has a little more garlic flavor and I used it instead of minced garlic. Feel free to leave out some of the salt or just use a little more garlic powder. That’s the fun of making it at home:)
You didn’t put a measurement for the cumin in your French fry seasoning
I’m sorry that was a typo. I meant to write garlic salt in the ingredient list instead of cumin. I was working on a few other spice mixes that day and got them mixed up. I have corrected it:) Thank you!