What are the ingredients in crinkle cut fries?

November 9, 2025 •

3 min read

According to McCain, a leading producer, their crinkle cut fries are primarily made from potatoes, vegetable oil, and a small amount of coloring. While the basic components are simple, the exact recipe for crinkle cut fries can vary significantly between homemade versions and commercially processed products.

Quick Summary

This article explores the core ingredients found in crinkle cut fries, examining the differences between simple homemade recipes and complex commercial formulations. It details the essential components like potatoes and cooking oil, as well as the additives used for color, texture, and flavor in frozen varieties.

Key Points

Basic Ingredients: The core components are potatoes, vegetable oil, and salt.
Additives in Frozen Fries: Commercial frozen fries often contain dextrose, SAPP, and coloring for consistent appearance and texture.
Soaking is Key for Homemade: Soaking cut potatoes in cold water removes excess starch, which is crucial for achieving maximum crispiness.
Oil Matters: The type of oil—whether a vegetable blend in commercial fries or olive/avocado oil at home—influences flavor and texture.
Crinkle Cut's Function: The wavy shape is created by a special knife and increases surface area, leading to more crispiness and better sauce retention.

Core ingredients of crinkle cut fries

At its heart, a crinkle cut fry is just a potato cut with a special wavy slicer and cooked. The defining ingredients are straightforward, but the preparation method and any added extras can change the final product entirely.

The potato: Foundation of the fry

For many fries, including crinkle cuts, the Russet potato is the top choice due to its high starch content.

High starch: Creates a fluffy interior and crisp exterior.
Low moisture: Minimizes sogginess during cooking.
Consistency: Provides a uniform texture, which is vital for the crinkle cut's shape. Other potatoes like Yukon Gold are sometimes used for a creamier texture, though they may produce a less crispy result.

The cooking medium: Oil choices

The type of oil used can dramatically affect the flavor and texture of the fries. For homemade versions, olive oil or avocado oil are popular choices. In commercial settings, a blend of vegetable oils is common.

Vegetable oils: Blends of canola, soybean, cottonseed, and sunflower oil are widely used in commercial frozen fries.
Avocado oil: A good option for high-heat cooking and baking homemade fries due to its high smoke point.

Understanding additives in commercial crinkle cut fries

While a homemade recipe might use only potatoes, oil, and salt, frozen crinkle cut fries from the grocery store contain a more complex list of ingredients to ensure consistency, shelf stability, and a perfect cook every time. These additives are what make the fries so reliable and easy to prepare.

List of common additives

Dextrose: A simple sugar used to promote browning during the final cooking process.
Disodium Dihydrogen Pyrophosphate (SAPP): An additive that maintains the potato's natural color and prevents graying.
Leavening agents: Ingredients like Glucono Delta-Lactone and Sodium Bicarbonate, used in some products to help create a light, crispy texture.
Coloring: Annatto extract, caramel color, and turmeric are sometimes added to provide a more golden-brown appearance.
Thickeners and starches: Modified food starch and xanthan gum may be used to enhance texture and crispiness.

Homemade vs. frozen crinkle cut fries: A comparison

While the goal of both homemade and frozen crinkle cut fries is a delicious result, the process and ingredients used to achieve that differ substantially.


Feature	Homemade Crinkle Cut Fries	Frozen Crinkle Cut Fries
Core Ingredients	Potatoes, olive oil, salt, seasoning.	Potatoes, vegetable oil blend, dextrose, SAPP, salt, thickeners, colorings.
Preparation	Requires washing, cutting with a crinkle cutter, and often soaking to remove starch for crispiness.	Potatoes are commercially processed, blanched, par-fried, and then flash-frozen.
Flavor Profile	Natural, potato-forward taste, highly customizable with seasonings.	Often includes seasoning blends and may have a more processed taste. Consistency is the main feature.
Cooking Method	Baked or air-fried, often from scratch.	Final cooking is typically done via deep-frying, baking, or air-frying from the frozen state.
Shelf Life	Best when prepared and eaten fresh.	Designed for long-term freezer storage.

Making your own crinkle cut fries

Creating delicious crinkle cut fries at home is a rewarding process that gives you complete control over the ingredients.

Step-by-step process

Select the right potato: Start with high-starch potatoes like Russets.
Cut the fries: Use a specialized crinkle cutter knife to create the signature wavy shape.
Soak for crispiness: Place the cut fries in a bowl of cold, salted water for at least 20-30 minutes to draw out excess starch. This is a crucial step for achieving a crispy exterior.
Dry thoroughly: Pat the fries completely dry with paper towels. Any residual moisture will create steam and prevent crisping.
Season generously: Toss the dried potatoes with your oil of choice and seasonings like salt, paprika, garlic powder, or black pepper.
Cook to perfection: Bake in the oven or use an air fryer until golden brown and crispy.

Conclusion: The simple vs. the complex

The ingredients in crinkle cut fries vary based on whether they are homemade or commercially prepared. While a simple homemade version relies on potatoes, oil, and seasoning, frozen varieties include a more extensive list of additives for consistency, color, and preservation. Both methods produce delicious fries, with the choice coming down to convenience versus ingredient control. Understanding what goes into each type allows you to make an informed decision and appreciate the science behind this beloved snack. To dive deeper into the food processing side, you can explore the technical steps on sites like Lonkia Machinery.

Keywords: Crinkle cut fries, ingredients, homemade, frozen, potatoes, additives, cooking oil, recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions

High-starch potatoes like Russets are most commonly used for crinkle cut fries, as they produce a fluffy interior and a crispy exterior.

Frozen fries have additional ingredients like dextrose for browning, SAPP for color retention, and other additives to ensure a consistent, crispy texture after being frozen and reheated.

Yes, homemade crinkle cut fries typically only use potatoes, oil, and seasoning. Frozen versions are pre-processed and contain extra additives for color, stability, and texture.

Crinkle cut fries are cut using a serrated or corrugated knife, often called a crinkle cutter, to create their distinctive wavy shape.

SAPP, or Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, is an additive commonly used in frozen fries to maintain the potato's original color and prevent it from turning gray or dark.

Most crinkle cut fries are vegan, but it is important to check the ingredients list, as some fast-food versions may contain milk or beef flavoring.

The wavy shape increases the surface area, which leads to more crispy ridges when cooked and also helps the fries hold onto more seasoning and dipping sauce.