French Fry Board
Looking for a fun appetizer for watching sports or hosting a game night? A French Fry Board is the answer! Lots of fries, lots of sauces, lots of fun!
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I’m not exactly the trendiest guy in the world. I can’t tell you the last time we went to the movies. Heck, I can barely tell you the last time we sat down and watched a full movie on Netflix. We watched the Sopranos 10 years after the series ended. I even record my college football and basketball games so that I can watch them later that night once Robbie goes to bed. (It’s a real challenge to avoid the scores – I usually end up turning my phone off on those afternoons.)
I typically sail in the mainstream when it comes to food trends, too. Kale? No, thanks. I tried it, and I didn’t care for it. Beyond meat burgers? Haha. Yeah, right. French Fry Board? Wait. What did you say? In case you missed it, the French Fry Board is gaining some serious social love lately. You could even call it ‘viral,’ although that term is super vague and imprecise.
What is a French Fry Board?
What is a French Fry Board?A French Fry Board is just that. A large platter or plate loaded with french fries. Now that is a trend I can get behind! Typically, the board includes a variety of different types of fries – crinkle cut, waffle, sweet potato, battered. Even tater tots would be appropriate on a french fry board…even though they aren’t exactly fries. (Are you going to blow the whistle on the tater tots trying to sneak their way onto the fry board? I didn’t think so.) Basically just go down the french fry section at the grocery store and pick up a bag of each type.
But there’s more to a French Fry Board that just fries. You need dipping sauces. And while ketchup (or is it catsup?) is a classic, here’s your chance to really get creative. The Dutch have mastered french fry dipping sauces, and I’m still in shock that this trend hasn’t jumped over to the States. Various types of aioli are perfect dipping options for your fry board. After all, aioli is just a fancy term for when you really want to dip your fries in mayo.
Sauces for Fry Board
Once I decided to jump on the bandwagon with the fry board, I then had some tough decisions to make. What sauces should I include on our version? The list is long, and I’ve included a bunch of additional ideas in the recipe below. However, for the homemade sauces, I stuck with several of our favorites. And the best part? Each of these sauces takes less than 5 minutes to make. That means you can whip up a whole variety of sauces while the fries are in the oven. (Oh, and since we’re talking about a bunch of different sauces, you’ll need a bunch of different sauce containers. I ordered these several years ago, and they’ve come in super handy!)
Roasted Garlic Aioli
This one is a classic. The sweet, garlicky taste combined with the creamy aioli is enough to make you come back again…and again…and again. Seriously. If you like roasted garlic, then this sauce should be the centerpiece of your french fry board. And thanks to a tip I read a while back, aioli can be made in less than 5 minutes. All you need is an immersion blender. (This is the immersion blender we use – it’s perfect for soups as well as aioli.)
Sriracha Aioli
Leave out the roasted garlic. Add some sriracha. Now you’ve got sriracha aioli. The spiciness of this one is delicious…just be sure to warn your guests that it’s on the hotter side!
Spicy Cajun Dip
This Cajun dip is also in the spicy category. However, it’s entirely different that the sriracha aioli. The spice in this one comes from the horseradish as well as the pinch of cayenne. It’s creamy, delicious and addicting. It also goes really well with grilled shrimp.
Creamy Buffalo Dip
If you like buffalo wings, then this buffalo dip is a must! Imagine that – buffalo french fries. Sign me up for that combination all day long!
Don’t forget the garnishes!
Don’t forget the garnishes!At this point, your fry board is almost complete. You’ve got several types of fries (and maybe some tots). You’ve got some fun dipping sauces. You just need to add some garnishes for that ‘wow factor’ when you carry the board into the room. For this fry board, I sprinkled the tops of the fries with chopped cilantro. Chopped Italian parsley would be fine, too. Sprinkle some crumbled feta cheese on top. Perhaps add some pickled jalapeno peppers or banana peppers. Grate some Parmesan cheese on top. Bada-bing-bada-boom. You’re done.
A French Fry Board is an easy and fun appetizer for entertaining. You can have the whole thing done in about 20-25 minutes. Now if only it lasted longer than that once you set it on the table. Enjoy!
Did you make a French Fry Board at home? Leave a comment or snap a photo and tag me on Instagram (@Spicedblog). I’d love to see your version of this trendy appetizer!
French Fry Board
Ingredients
For the Roasted Garlic Aioli
- 6-8 cloves roasted garlic chopped
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ½ cup vegetable oil
For the Sriracha Aioli
- 1½ Tbsp sriracha
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ½ cup vegetable oil
For the Spicy Cajun Dip
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp cream-style horseradish sauce
- 1 Tbsp ketchup
- ½ Tbsp dill pickle juice
- ½ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
For the Creamy Buffalo Dip
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- 3 Tbsp hot sauce
- 1 Tbsp ketchup
- ½ Tbsp apple cider vinegar
Other sauces and garnishes
- Ranch dressing
- Ketchup
- chopped cilantro or parsley
- chopped chives
- limes
- pico de gallo
- crumbled feta cheese
- pickled jalapeno peppers
- shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
For the Roasted Garlic Aioli
- Using a medium bowl, add all ingredients.
- Blend with an immersion blender, starting at the bottom of the bowl and slowly lifting the immersion blender until a smooth sauce forms. (Note: If the aioli is too thick, add in another 1-2 tsp of lemon juice.)
For the Sriracha Aioli
- Using a medium bowl, add all ingredients.
- Blend with an immersion blender, starting at the bottom of the bowl and slowly lifting the immersion blender until a smooth sauce forms. (Note: If the aioli is too thick, add in another 1-2 tsp of lemon juice.)
For the Creamy Buffalo Dip
- Using a small bowl, add all ingredients; whisk together until well combined.
For the Spicy Cajun Dip
- Using a small bowl, add all ingredients; whisk together until well combined.
Notes
Looking for more French fry recipes? Check out these other fun ideas, too:
No one would ever mistake me for trendy either–I haven’t even heard of French fry boards until now :). But this is one trend I can get behind! French fries are everything! Especially with lots of tasty dipping sauces. I’m coming over for game night asap!
Ok, so you and I can celebrate our non-trendiness together, Kelsie. You bring the cupcakes. I’ll bring the fries. It’ll be a party! 🙂
Okay – this is just pure fun! And deliciousness! And geniusness!!! What a fun board and one I’m certain would disappear quickly. Yep, I’m with you on this trend! 🙂
Exactly! There’s nothing hard about making a fry board…but it sure is fun. Plus, the sky is the limit in terms of ways to make these. I almost added tater tots. Maybe next time! I also almost added queso, but then I had the challenge of keeping said queso warm. Either way, I highly recommend this idea for game night! Thanks, Kathy!
When it comes to food, I love some unusual combinations (like sweet & savoury) and twists, but generally, I am not the trendiest guy either. A donut burger or charcoal ice cream won’t be my choice, and these ae not the weirdest examples yet. But I love this French Fry Board trend – that’s my kind of game. My favourite sauce would be sriracha aioli even though I’m not into too spicy things; imagine it with sweet potato fries. By the way, have you ever tried a combo of mayo and ketchup as a dipping sauce? It might sound strange, but it’s so good! (In some versions it’s also flavoured with a little bit of strong alcohol like cognac)
Yeah, I’m with ya, Ben. I remember seeing the donut burger at a famous Atlanta burger place. I couldn’t go for it then…and I still can’t go for it now. But tons of fries on a large board? That I can do! I have indeed heard of a similar mix to mayo + ketchup. I think it’s called ‘fry sauce.’ However, I’ve never heard of mixing in cognac. What a different idea!
Great idea, especially for a spud fry fan like me. Now your spot on regarding the Dutch and their sauces for fries, but we have a unique one here in Scandinavia as well. It’s actually Danish but enjoyed all over Sweden. We call it Dansk Remoulade and just Remoulade in Denmark. Don’t be fooled by the name have a look here. https://www.copenhagenet.dk/CPH-Map/CPH-Recipes-Remoulade.asp
We like it on fried anything, but my fav is dipping fries in it.
Enjoy those fries…
Dansk Remoulade, eh? I love fries, and I love fry sauces. That one sounds super interesting. It starts like a traditional aioli, but the add-ins of onions, capers and curry powder are different. I think I’d like it! I guess there’s only one way to find out, huh? That’s right – another fry board!
What a fun idea for game day, David! Love the variety of fries and dipping sauces. I bet they would all disappear in a flash!
Hope you have a terrific week!
Oh, these did disappear in a flash. Hah! Thanks so much, Marissa. Hope your week is going well, too!
This is my kind of appetizer, David! Or maybe I should say, My kind of meal! I love French fries, and each of these sauces sounds so tasty! I wouldn’t know where to start! That’s not a bad problem to have, is it?
You said it, Laura. This fry board could totally serve as a meal. In fact, we may have just done that the other night. Our secret, ok? And the sauces are all delicious in their own right, but the roasted garlic is my favorite!
I think a French fry board is truly brilliant. A trend I’m happy to get on board with, for sure. I just posted a French fry recipe today and it’s very similar to your Chipotle Sweet Potato Fries. (I’m so with you on the kale and Beyond meat!!) Super Bowl or not, I’m in on this board. 🙂 ~Valentina
Hah! I’m glad I’m not the only food blogger who questions kale and beyond meat. No thank you!!
Also, cheers to fry boards! I think I need to make this one again with your chipotle fries on it. Thanks, Valentina!
Oh my goodness YES!!!! How have I never heard of french fry boards?!!!! This is amazing! And every one of your aiolis is making my mouth water! I am particularly intrigued by the Sriracha Aioli, what a fabulous idea! And I totally agree about the dipping sauces being so much more varied and amazing overseas! I spent a few months in the Czech Republic summer of 2018, and didn’t want to come home after experiencing all the innovative fry sauces they had! Totally making this, thank you David!
Tell me about it, Shannon! My wife actually introduced me to the concept of fry boards when one of her friends shared something similar on Facebook. It took all of 3.4 seconds for me to get on board with the idea!
Oh my gosh, I’m so jealous that you spent a whole summer in the Czech Republic. We went to Prague for several days last year, and I loved that city!
This is one delicious idea – who doesn’t love fries? And with options and sauces – perfect! This is perfect for entertaining!
You said it, Alexandra! I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who doesn’t like fries. So put a bunch of different types of fries on a plate, and you’ve got a party appetizer for a crowd…or maybe a meal for 2. Hah!
Well this is fun! I’m not a huge French fry fan (i know, that’s crazy) but I am a fan of sticking stuff into condiments, so this would be heaven to me!!! I love all of the options!
Well I think you might be the first non-fry fan I’ve ever met, Mimi! But at least you like sauces, so you can still jump in on the fun here. That roasted garlic aioli is my favorite – and I can think of 100 ways to use it. But first, more fries. 🙂
I’ve only recently heard about this foodie trend and I can totally get behind it for sure! I mean, lots of fries with lots of dips? What’s not to love?? Sriracha aioli is always a go-to for hubby and I. There’s no way this is lasting very long when placed in front of me! Love it and now I’m totally craving fries so thanks a lot of that, lol 😉
Oh, this fry board didn’t last long at all! It’s literally impossible to stand around the kitchen counter and ignore the fry board and all of the sauces. I speak from experience! I say pour yourself a glass of wine and make a fry board this weekend. Deal?
This is right up my alley. I love French fries. I have actually seen these French fried boards on the web. I have to make one for myself.
Yes! You should jump on the trend, Dawn. I can say with 100% certainty that it’s a good trend to follow. 🙂
Ah, fatherhood, when you get halfway through a movie on Netflix only to realise you watched it a year ago! What a great party idea, I’ve not heard of a fry board. It’s kinda like when you order fry at a bar and get a curly one thrown in by accident, except you have three other types to try too. Love the dipping sauces, I’m thinking the next get together I have with our friends with kids they would love these!
Hahaha. Oh yes, I have done that. All of a sudden, you’re like, “Wait, I know what happens next.” I’ve also done it with books.
A Fry Board would be a great idea for any sort of get-together…and even more so if the kids are involved. Just make extra fries because they’ll disappear faster than you think! 🙂
This is the first time I’m hearing about this phenomenon! I used to never eat fries but nowadays I like them when they’re seasoned well… and for the record, kale can be really tasty if it’s massaged well, has a flavorful dressing, and is paired with yummy ingredients! 😉
I hear ya on the kale, Nicole. Maybe I just need someone that knows how to make it whip something up for me. Perhaps you could drop it by on your next NY vacation? HAH!
Also, fries are delicious. 🙂
Your French Fry Board is a great idea for entertaining and snacking on during sporting events David. We’ve just started our annual 6 Nations Rugby Tournament here so this is ideal timing. Thanks!
Ah, yes, I remember the 6 Nations Tournament from last year. Perfect timing as it coincides with not only NFL playoffs here but March Madness, too. Break out a fry board to celebrate Scotland’s win! 🙂
oh yes we love fries/chips in this household. sweet potato fries are simply wonderful. i love that your aioli has roasted garlic, and lots of it It’s so hard to get a decent aioli anywhere unless you make it yourself:) I must give it a go sometime. my only attempt at mayo was a dismal failure… cheers sherry