Oh yes, waffle fries are totally a thing! A variation of french fries, waffle fries are a great way to liven up any meal and make it a bit more enjoyable. After all, we see french fries all the time, yet waffle fries are still a bit of a novelty item for many.
This is a bit of a subjective question. If you're wondering whether waffle fries are healthier than regular fries, the answer would be no. They are, after all, the exact same thing just shaped differently. Usually fried in vegetable oil, these fries have about the same calorie count.
If you, however, are wondering about the taste, that's also the same. The only difference is the shape. However, that shape makes these fries a bit more exciting and fun to eat than regular fries, so on that alone we'd say that, yes, waffle fries might be a bit better than regular fries!
The specific waffle shape of these fries is made using a special cutter. Even though we don't exactly know who invented these lovely things, we know when the patents for the cutters were filed.
It may come as a surprise, but these fries are actually a European invention. Some say they originated in Belgium, although we really can't know for sure. The first known pattern for the waffle fry machine is known to have been submitted in 1979, while the second, in 1983.
Even though we're not sure where these tasty treats came from or why invented them, we're pretty certain they're extremely tasty, and that's all that truly matters!
As we said before, waffle fries are made out of potatoes, just like regular fries are! Fried in cooking oil or sometimes even baked on baking sheets, waffle fries are usually crispy with a softer inside.
The recipe for waffle fries is a simple one: potatoes are cut in a waffle shape, then they're fried. Baked waffle fries aren't usually served in restaurants, but can be made at home, if you're looking for a slightly healthier version of the dish.
After the cooking is done, various seasonings are added to the fries, coating them in delicious flavors and making them ready to eat. Waffle fries are usually eaten with ketchup or another sauce on the side, something for which they are perfect.
Since they're basically disk-shaped, waffle fries hold much more sauce than a regular french fry, making them a fan-favorite.
As we said in a previous chapter, no, waffle fries really aren't any healthier than regular french fries. There are about 300 calories in a serving of 10 waffle fries. In the same size serving of french fries, the calorie amount is the same.
If you're looking to cut down on calories, we'd recommend requesting baked waffle fries instead of fried ones, as most of the calories in fries come from the fat used to make them. Some additions will also spike the calorie count in your fries, like for example if you want to enjoy your waffle fries with cheese or a heavy sauce.
However, if you maintain a healthy daily caloric intake of about 2000 calories a day, a serving or two of fries won't make any damage, so you can enjoy your fries guilt-free!
Here are the raw nutritional facts for a serving of these fun fries:
256 calories, 12g fat, 172mg sodium, 475mg potassium, 34g carbs, 2,8g protein. Some calcium, iron, and vitamins are also present in a serving.
If you're looking for a waffle fries restaurant near you, we have some suggestions!
If you're in Boston, Felcaro Pizzeria has some amazing fries you'd love. Crispy and always fresh, they're a great option for a fun meal.
In Baltimore, a great place is Hilltop Carryout. With a super fun menu and great fries, we're sure you'll be able to create the meal of your dreams. Plus, you can eat it wherever you want to, which is always great!
In New York, we'd like to highlight Gracie's Corner Diner. A cute, generational space, this diner serves incredibly tasty food. They have a vast menu and are extremely friendly.
You can find these and many more restaurants on the Slice website. They all usually have both pickup and delivery as well as in-house dining, so take your pick and plan out your night!