Loaded Up Spring Fries - The Perfect Snack for Any Season

Loaded Up Spring Fries - The Perfect Snack for Any Season

When the weather starts warming up and the first signs of spring begin to emerge, it's natural to crave fresher, lighter foods. Heavier comfort dishes that satisfied us all winter suddenly feel too heavy. Salads, grilled vegetables, and brighter, acidic flavors tend to replace the richer, heartier recipes of winter. However, one hearty dish that still feels perfectly at home on a spring menu is loaded fries.

Loaded fries are basically french fries piled high with fun and flavorful toppings. While baked potatoes let you customize your fillings, fries are their portable, snackable cousin. By choosing lighter, brighter ingredients, loaded fries can bridge the gap between winter and summer eating. This recipe for Chicken Loaded Spring Fries is the perfect springtime appetizer or side, marrying crispy fries with fresh flavors like lemon and herbs.

Adaptable Base of Crispy Fries

The base of any loaded fry recipe has got to be perfectly crisp, golden fries. Frozen fries can work in a pinch, but starting from scratch yields the best results. Cut Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes into thick matchsticks, soak briefly in cold water to rinse off excess starch, pat dry, and coat with a little oil, salt, and pepper. Then simply spread them out on a baking sheet and bake at 425°F, flipping once, until browned and tender.

For extra crispiness, try double frying the potatoes. Par-cook them once in advance until barely tender, let cool completely, then fry again right before serving. An air fryer also does a great job of crisping up fries without the mess and added calories of deep frying.

Pick Fun, Fresh Toppings

The toppings are where you can really let your creativity shine with loaded fries. For a spring twist, ingredients like lemon, parsley, dill, and chili flakes are your friends. Start with a protein - pulled roasted chicken is amazing on fries but you could also do shrimp, pork, or a plant-based protein like chickpeas.

Next add lots of bright, fresh veggies. Thinly sliced radishes, cucumber, bell peppers, and scallions all work nicely. They add crunch and plenty of color. For creaminess, don’t overlook sauces like tzatziki, ranch, lemon aioli, or avocado crema. A sprinkling of crumbled feta or cotija cheese also adds a creamy, salty bite.

Chopped fresh herbs are a must for a true spring loaded fry. Parsley, dill, chives, basil, and cilantro all pair well with the other ingredients. The options for toppings and flavors are endless, so have fun mixing and matching your favorites!

Build a Shareable Snack

When constructing your loaded fries, start with the protein. Shred or chop it into small pieces and sprinkle it evenly over the fries. Next add any vegetables or herbs. Drizzle or dollop any sauces or creams over the top. Finally, garnish with a sprinkle of cheese if desired.

Serve the loaded fries right away while still hot and crispy. The ingredients also hold up well for several hours, so they can be assembled in advance for parties or picnics. Just wait to add more delicate herbs like cilantro right before eating.

Loaded fries are the ideal shareable snack or appetizer for gatherings. They please both kids and adults, can be easily customized for different tastes and diets, and feed a crowd. Enjoy them on their own, or pair them with lighter dishes like salads and grilled meats or veggies.

Loaded Chicken Fries with Lemony Tzatziki

Ingredients:

• 3 russet potatoes, cut into 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick fries
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded or chopped
• 1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced
• 4 radishes, thinly sliced
• 2 scallions, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup dill, chopped
• 1 lemon, zested and juiced
• 1/2 cup tzatziki
• 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss potato fries with oil, salt, and pepper. Arrange in single layer on baking sheets.
2. Bake 25 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy and browned. Remove from oven.
3. In a small bowl, combine chicken, cucumber, radishes, scallions, parsley, dill, and lemon zest.
4. Pile fries onto serving plates. Top with chicken mixture, tzatziki, feta, and a squeeze of lemon juice.
5. Serve immediately while fries are still warm and crispy.

Welcome Spring with Loaded Fries

Loaded fries are a fun and tasty way to celebrate the start of spring. The combination of hot crispy fries, lemon-herb chicken, cool cucumbers, and creamy tzatziki sauce evokes fresh spring flavors. Adapt the toppings to use whatever ingredients inspire you.

Served as an appetizer or snack, these Chicken Loaded Spring Fries will please a crowd. The recipe also scales up easily for parties by simply baking more fries. Let this loaded fry recipe kick off a season of lighter, brighter eating!

FAQs

What type of potatoes work best for fries?

Russet and Yukon Gold potatoes are ideal for fries because they have the right balance of starch and moisture content to get crispy on the outside while staying fluffy inside. Avoid red or white potatoes.

How thick should I cut the fries?

Cut fries between 1/4-1/2 inch thick for the best results. Thinner fries may burn while thicker ones won't cook through. Aim for thick matchsticks.

Is double frying necessary?

Double frying isn't required but does result in extra crispy fries. Par-cook once to soften inside, let cool completely, then fry again to crisp up the exterior.

What are good vegetarian alternatives to chicken?

Chickpeas, lentils, roasted veggies like cauliflower or eggplant, and marinated tofu all make tasty substitutes for chicken in loaded fries.

How do I reheat leftover loaded fries?

Spread fries on a baking sheet and reheat in a 400°F oven until warmed through and starting to crisp, 5-10 minutes usually does the trick.