You don’t want to miss these addicting buttermilk ranch french fries, which can be prepared entirely from scratch or using frozen, pre-cut fries! Buttermilk powder, which is sold in the baking aisle of most grocery stores, adds tons of savory flavor. Serve these at your next party!
People often think that because I work with food for a living and have trained professionally, it means I’m going to be some sort of food elitist. That couldn’t be further from the truth.
While I believe that cooking and baking are incredibly important skills, and even though I love working with good quality ingredients when they make a difference, I think that taste is very subjective.
We all love what we love. I’m not going to argue with you about where to get the best pizza.
People are often shocked to find out that I love Cool Ranch Doritos. Listen, I loved them in high school, and to this day I consider them a guilty (but not so guilty) pleasure. They’re not something I eat every day; I save junk food for special occasions for obvious reasons.
But holy umami bomb!
These buttermilk ranch french fries give me a similar satisfaction on the savory scale, but I feel better about serving them to guests. You’re looking at some serious party grub.
They’re coated with powdered buttermilk, which I discovered a few years ago. When you want to add tanginess and/or savoriness to a recipe, buttermilk powder is often a great option.
The sour note sometimes gets lost in baked goods like buttermilk cake. If you’re missing that tang, adding a little bit of this powder brings it right back.
Freshly coated on french fries, it melts in your mouth along with the other spices, creating a savory, mouth-watering flavor that will have you licking your fingers.
You can make these using either regular potatoes or frozen, pre-cut, unseasoned french fries. Using frozen fries is obviously a huge time saver, and might be a better choice for novice cooks. Either option will give you great results!
Looking for more ways to experiment with spice?
You might also enjoy my Baked Chai Spiced French Toast, Pumpkin Spiced Dinner Rolls, and Cardamom Vanilla Cream Scones!
Buttermilk Ranch French Fries
Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons buttermilk powder
- 2 teaspoons dried dill
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons dried minced onion
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (see notes)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- optional: 4 teaspoons fresh chives, minced
- optional: 3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped finely
- 4 (12-ounce) russet potatoes, peeled (see notes about using frozen pre-cut fries)
- 2-3 quarts neutral, high heat oil for frying (vegetable, peanut or canola are all options)
Instructions
- In a very large bowl, combine the dried buttermilk powder, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, dried minced onion, sugar, cayenne, salt and pepper. Do not add the fresh herbs if using or the mixture will potentially clump from moisture.
- Prepare a bowl of ice water and set aside. Using a mandoline with the French fry attachment, slice the potatoes into fries. Place the potatoes into the ice water. Cover and chill for at least 50 minutes.
- Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy bottom saucepan. Using a thermometer, bring the oil to 325 degrees F. Make sure there's at least 3 inches between the oil and the top of the pan to avoid splatter.
- Drain the potatoes and dry very thoroughly. Line a sheet pan with paper towels.
- Add 1/4 of the fries to the hot oil and cook for 6 minutes. Adjust the flame as needed to maintain the temperature. (Note: you might be able to cook the fries in 2 batches instead of 4 depending on the size of your pot.)
- Carefully remove the fries and transfer to the prepared sheet pan. Repeat with the remaining fries.
- Increase the oil temperature to 350 degrees F.
- Add 1/4 of the fries to the oil and cook until golden brown. Remove and allow to drain on fresh paper towels while you cook the remaining potatoes.
- Toss the fries with the reserved spice mixture, tossing in the fresh herbs last.
- Serve hot.
Notes
Please read my full post for additional recipe notes, tips, and serving suggestions!
Nutrition
Recipe Troubleshooting
For immediate help troubleshooting a recipe, please email me using the form on my contact page. I’ll try to respond to urgent questions as quickly as possible! For all general questions, please leave a comment here :)
Deanna Segrave-Daly says
You had me at the title and the awesome photos and then it was so fun to read that these are part of the EWR Amazing Apps contest! I’ll be there, too, so looking forward to meeting you :)
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
I want to reach through my screen and grab a fistful of these fries, then proceed to lick my fingers clean. Yum!
Erika-Southern Souffle says
Those fries are seriously perfect!!!
Tieghan Gerard says
These look amazing!! Fries are summers best friend and I need to make these!
David says
Look, I don’t need any encouragement to eat fries. They are just about my favorite food, but these pictures look SO good. I am practically drooling. Fantastic shots.
carrian says
I have been seeing these everywhere since last night. PINNING. THIS. NOW
Jessica says
Jen – these look incredible! Random unrelated story – you were in my dream last night. I was walking through a house (not sure whose house it was) and saw a table set up with some plates and food – realized it was YOURS and you were taking photos of your food. So then I wanted to see how you did it, and I started picking apart your props and seeing where the light came from, what food you’d made, etc. Talk about random! Your photography haunts my dreams, apparently! lol But back to the fries – yes, please. I’m going to need to buy some powdered buttermilk the next time I’m at the store (i.e. later today).
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
LOVE this!!! I can taste these through your photos. . beautiful!
Emily says
Beautiful photos! I am excited that you are coming to EWR this year. I have enjoyed following your blog from Triberr and am looking forward to meeting you.
Carol | a cup of mascarpone says
Jen, these look so incredible! My fingers are trying desperately to take one out of my computer screen, but it won’t happen! That’s such a gift when a blog makes one want to do that!
Colleen (Souffle Bombay) says
I see we both had potatoes…yum! Your fries look gorgeous and I want to eat 3 dozen immediately! I’m so excited to be able to say hi in person and thank you for all your efforts for TLC! See you in 2 1/2 weeks and best of luck in the challenge!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
This looks incredible, Jen! I’ve never heard of dried buttermilk powder before. Need to try this soon!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
Potatoes=awesome
French Fries=super awesome. These look soo gorgeous and perfect, I could eat a billion(ish :P)
Arthur in the Garden! says
A restaurant in Downtown Raleigh makes these
Arthur in the Garden! says
The Borough
Mama B @ My Edible Journey says
I love seasoning potatoes of all kinds with great flavours. I’ve been known to add popcorn seasonings to fries or even mashed potatoes (your ranch twist would be awesome in mashed potatoes). Thanks for sharing.