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Air Fryer Garlic-Nori Fries

5.0

(1)

GarlicNori Fries in a blue bowl on a pinstriped fabric
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Judy Kim, prop styling by Gözde Eker

Inspired by the fries at Wenwen, chef Eric Sze’s Taiwanese restaurant in New York City, this recipe shows off the air fryer’s best trait: reheating frozen snacks. Only textured fries—like crinkle- or waffle-cut—will do. Their grooves and ridges turn exceptionally crisp in the fryer and expertly hold on to the spirited, salty seaweed seasoning and unapologetically garlicky mayonnaise.

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What you’ll need

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    25 minutes

  • Yield

    6 servings

Ingredients

1 32-oz. bag frozen crinkle-cut or waffle-cut fries
2 .35-oz. packages seasoned toasted seaweed snacks
1 chicken bouillon cube (preferably Knorr)
1 Tbsp. sugar
1½ tsp. garlic powder
½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt
½ cup mayonnaise
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped, divided
1 Tbsp. (or more) vegetable oil

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat air fryer to 400°. Working in 2 batches, spread out one 32-oz. bag frozen crinkle-cut or waffle-cut fries on fryer tray in an even layer and cook, tossing halfway through, until golden brown and crisp, 6–12 minutes.

    Step 2

    Meanwhile, using your fingers, mix two .35-oz. packages seasoned toasted seaweed snacks, 1 chicken bouillon cube, 1 Tbsp. sugar, 1½ tsp. garlic powder, and ½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt in a small bowl, crushing seaweed into small shards and rubbing bouillon into sugar and salt, until well combined. Stir ½ cup mayonnaise and 1 garlic clove, finely chopped, in another small bowl.

    Step 3

    Transfer fries to a large bowl. Drizzle with 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil (this will help the toppings adhere), then scatter seaweed mixture and remaining 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped, over. Toss to coat, adding up to 1 Tbsp. more oil if needed.

    Step 4

    Pile fries in a shallow bowl; top with any seaweed mixture and garlic left in bowl. Serve with garlic mayonnaise for dipping.

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