Easy Copycat Arby’s Curly Fries® Recipe (Crispy, Spiced, Oven or Air Fryer!)
If you’ve ever pulled away from the Arby’s drive-thru with a hot bag of curly fries, you know that first fry is magic. Crispy edges, soft potato inside, and that bold, peppery seasoning that’s a little smoky and a little salty. Today I’m sharing an easy copycat Arby’s Curly Fries® recipe you can make at home with simple ingredients and basic kitchen tools. No special fryer needed—your oven or air fryer will do the job. This is my own home-style version inspired by the classic. It’s not the original formula, but it gets you very close in flavor and texture, with ingredients you can actually pronounce.About Arby’s and Their Iconic Curly Fries®
Arby’s has been around since the 1960s, famous first for roast beef sandwiches and later for a menu full of bold, savory flavors. But for many of us, the real star of the meal is that side of Curly Fries®. These fries are:- Twisty and fun – a playful spiral shape that makes them extra crispy.
- Deep golden-brown – with crackly edges that crunch when you bite in.
- Soft and fluffy inside – tender potato that soaks up seasoning.
- Boldly seasoned – a blend of paprika, onion, garlic, and pepper that hits your nose before you even taste it.
Why You’ll Love This Copycat Arby’s Curly Fries Recipe
- Simple pantry ingredients – no hard-to-find powders or additives.
- Oven or air fryer friendly – you don’t need a deep fryer.
- Customizable heat – keep it mild for kids or spice it up for adults.
- Make-ahead friendly – par-cook and freeze your own curly fries.
Tools You’ll Need
You don’t need a commercial kitchen. Here’s what helps:- Spiralizer or curly fry cutter (optional but ideal)
- Sharp knife (if you don’t have a spiralizer)
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Baking sheet and wire rack or air fryer basket
- Parchment paper or nonstick spray
Copycat Arby’s Curly Fries® Recipe
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| These homemade copycat Arby’s curly fries are crispy on the outside, tender inside, and packed with classic seasoned flavor |
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 20–25 minutes (oven) or 14–18 minutes (air fryer)
Total Time: 45–50 minutes
Ingredients
For the potatoes:- 2 large russet potatoes (about 1½–2 pounds total), scrubbed and peeled if desired
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or canola/avocado oil)
- 2 teaspoons paprika (regular)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional but adds that fast-food aroma)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt (plus more to taste after cooking)
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (use ¼ teaspoon for milder fries)
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano (crumbled between your fingers)
- ½ teaspoon sugar (helps browning and balances the spice)
- Cold water and 1 teaspoon salt (for soaking cut potatoes)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep and Cut the Potatoes
1. Scrub the russet potatoes well. You can peel them for a classic fast-food look, or leave the skins on for a more rustic style.2. Using a spiralizer with a thick noodle or curly fry blade, spiral-cut the potatoes into long curls.
3. If you don’t have a spiralizer, cut the potatoes into ¼-inch thick wedges or long thin strips; the seasoning will still give you that Arby’s vibe.
2. Soak to Remove Excess Starch (Optional but Recommended)
1. Place the cut potatoes in a large bowl and cover with cold water.2. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and stir.
3. Let soak for at least 20 minutes (up to 1 hour). This helps remove extra starch, which keeps your curly fries crisp instead of gummy.
4. Drain the potatoes in a colander, then pat them very dry with clean kitchen towels or paper towels. The drier they are, the crispier they’ll get and the safer they are to cook (less splattering).
3. Make the Curly Fry Seasoning
1. In a small bowl, mix together:- paprika
- smoked paprika (if using)
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- salt
- black pepper
- cayenne
- oregano
- sugar
4. Coat the Potatoes
1. In a large bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and flour.2. Add the well-dried potato curls to the bowl and toss to lightly coat. This thin starch layer helps mimic that light commercial batter.
3. Drizzle the potatoes with the vegetable oil.
4. Sprinkle on the seasoning blend. Toss gently until every curl is well coated. The potatoes should look evenly orange-red and lightly glossy.
How to Cook Curly Fries in the Oven
Oven Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 425°F. Place a rack in the upper-middle position.2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly oil it. For extra crispiness, place a wire rack on top of the baking sheet and spray it with nonstick spray.
3. Spread the seasoned potato curls out in a single layer. Avoid crowding; use two trays if needed.
4. Bake for 10–12 minutes.
5. Carefully flip the fries with tongs or a spatula, turning any that are browning too quickly toward the center of the pan.
6. Bake for another 8–12 minutes, or until:
- Edges are deeply golden brown
- Centers are tender when pierced with a fork
Food safety note: Potatoes themselves don’t have a required internal temp like meat, but always cook them until they’re piping hot in the center and no longer firm or raw. If you’re also baking protein on the same tray, be sure meats reach their own safe temperatures (for example: 165°F for chicken).
How to Cook Curly Fries in the Air Fryer
Air Fryer Instructions
1. Preheat your air fryer to 380–400°F for 3–5 minutes (follow your model’s directions).2. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil.
3. Add the curly fries in a single layer. A few overlapping curls are fine, but don’t pack the basket solid.
4. Air fry for 7–9 minutes.
5. Shake the basket or flip the fries, then cook another 7–9 minutes, until crisp and golden-brown.
6. Remove, taste, and sprinkle with a bit more salt if needed.
The air fryer tends to cook faster and darker than the oven, so start checking a few minutes early.
Approximate Nutrition (Per Serving)
Servings: 4 These numbers are estimates and will vary based on potato size, oil type, and exact amounts used.- Calories: ~230
- Carbohydrates: ~34 g
- Protein: ~3 g
- Fat: ~9 g
- Saturated Fat: ~1 g
- Fiber: ~3 g
- Sodium: ~420 mg (before any extra salting)
Simple Shortcut Version (No Spiralizer, Minimal Ingredients)
If you don’t have a spiralizer or a long list of spices, you can still get very close: Use frozen fries:- Grab a bag of frozen curly fries or even regular frozen fries.
- Toss them with 1–2 teaspoons each of paprika and garlic powder, plus a pinch of cayenne and onion powder before baking.
- Cut potatoes into thin wedges or shoestring fries.
- Skip the cornstarch and flour if you’re in a hurry.
- Toss with oil and seasoning blend, then bake or air fry as above.
- Use pre-cut frozen curly fries.
- Spray lightly with oil, sprinkle with extra paprika and garlic powder.
- Air fry at 400°F for 10–15 minutes, shaking halfway.
Allergy-Friendly & Special Diet Swaps
Gluten-Free Option
- Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free all-purpose blend or simply use all cornstarch.
- Double-check your spices and cornstarch are labeled gluten-free (most are, but it’s smart to read labels).
Dairy-Free
- This recipe is naturally dairy-free as written, as long as your spices don’t contain additives with dairy.
Vegan
- The recipe is also naturally vegan. No eggs, dairy, or animal products are used.
Paleo / Whole30-Inspired
- Use all arrowroot starch or tapioca starch instead of cornstarch and flour.
- Skip the sugar or replace with a pinch of coconut sugar.
- Use avocado oil or another oil that fits your plan.
Tips for Perfect Crispy Curly Fries at Home
- Dry, dry, dry: After soaking, remove as much moisture as possible before adding oil and seasoning.
- Don’t overcrowd: Give fries room to breathe so hot air can circulate and crisp them.
- Watch the last few minutes: They go from golden to too dark pretty quickly, especially in an air fryer.
- Season to taste: Fast food fries are usually a touch saltier than homemade. Taste one hot out of the oven and adjust.
Serving Ideas
Wondering what to serve with your homemade curly fries?- Classic: Roast beef sandwiches, burgers, or grilled chicken.
- Dipping sauces: Ketchup, spicy mayo, ranch, BBQ sauce, or cheese sauce.
- Loaded fries: Top with shredded cheese, green onions, crumbled bacon, and a drizzle of ranch.
Share Your Copycat Curly Fries Creations!
Did you try this copycat Arby’s Curly Fries® recipe at home?- Did you bake them or use an air fryer?
- Did you go spicy with the cayenne or keep it mild?
Disclaimers
Copycat Recipe Disclaimer: This recipe is a homemade copycat-style version created for educational and entertainment purposes. Arby’s® and Curly Fries® are registered trademarks of Arby’s Restaurant Group, Inc. This recipe is not the original restaurant recipe, and no affiliation, endorsement, or sponsorship by Arby’s is implied. All opinions and interpretations are my own, and no proprietary information or secret recipes were used.
Affiliate Disclosure: Simply Copycat Recipes is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This means that if you click on certain links in this post and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we personally use or genuinely believe will be helpful for home cooks.
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