Smiley Fries

If you ate hot cafeteria lunches as a kid, then you can probably recall smiley fries. Looking to recreate all the iconic school lunch recipes from your childhood? Skip the fries from the freezer section and transport yourself back in time with the homemade version instead.

Seasoned with garlic, onion, salt and pepper, our homemade smiley face French fries are perfect to serve alongside a platter of cheeseburgers, bratwursts or homemade corn dogs. Kids and adults will love the happy-looking smiley face fries, especially when they bite into the delightfully crisp exterior and find soft and fluffy potato inside.

If your family loves french fries and tater tots, smiley fries are sure to be an instant hit at your dinner table. Be sure to grab the ketchup (or whip up some of the world’s best french fry dips), because you won’t want to leave the table once these smiley face fries are served.

Ingredients for Smiley Fries

• Mashed potatoes: The secret to the soft and fluffy texture of these smiley fries is using mashed potatoes. We find that traditional mashed potatoes without added butter or cream make the best dough for smiley fries. In terms of the best types of potatoes for mashing and french frying, opt for russets.
• Dry bread crumbs: The bread crumbs help soak up any excess moisture in the potatoes, making the potato dough easier to work with and helping it to hold its shape once rolled and cut. To make homemade bread crumbs, dry out your bread in the oven, then use a box grater to break it into crumbs.
• Cornstarch: Cornstarch helps the smiley face fries crisp in the fryer.
• Spices: A simple blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder seasons the fries, so they’re busting with flavor in every bite.
• Oil for frying: The best oil for frying smiley face potatoes is one with neutral flavor and a high smoke point. Avocado oil, canola oil and peanut oil are just a few of our Test Kitchen’s favorite oils for frying.
• Dipping sauces: Serve these fries warm with the dipping sauces of your choice. May we suggest a Wendy’s copycat Frosty or copycat Chick-fil-A sauce?

Directions

Step 1: Make the dough

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In a large bowl, stir together potatoes, bread crumbs, cornstarch and seasonings until they form a smooth dough.

Editor’s Tip: If the dough feels sticky, chill it in the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes to firm it up and allow the bread crumbs to soak up some of the excess moisture in the dough. It’s the same science behind why you should chill cookie dough.

Step 2: Roll, cut and smile

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On a lightly floured surface, roll out the potato dough to 1/4-inch thickness.

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Cut it with a floured 2-inch round cookie cutter, rerolling the scraps.

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Next, use a drinking straw to poke two circles into each round for the eyes.

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Then, use a spoon to make a mouth (preferably a happy one).

Editor’s Tip: You can also use a small glass to cut out the rounds if you don’t have a small circle cookie cutter.

Step 3: Fry until golden

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In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat 1/2 inch of oil to 350°F. Fry the smileys, a few at a time, until golden brown, one to two minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with additional salt to taste. Serve warm, with sauces as desired.

Editor’s Tip: To deep-fry at home with confidence, follow the tips in our guide. Some important takeaways include keeping safety in mind, using the right oil and amount of oil, and keeping the temperature up.

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Smiley Fries Variations

• Add herbs to the seasoning: You can flavor your smiley fries with your favorite dried or fresh herbs. Try rosemary, thyme and sage for a big burst of aroma and flavor.
• Flavor with roasted garlic: Add 2 tablespoons of mashed roasted garlic to the potato dough before shaping.
• Make Parmesan chive smiley fries: Mix 1 tablespoon of fresh chives and 1/4 cup of shredded Parmesan into the dough. Garnish the smiley fries with additional Parmesan and chives before serving.

How to Store Smiley Fries

Leftover smiley fries should be kept refrigerated in an airtight food storage container.

How long do smiley fries last?

Smiley fries will stay fresh for up to four days in the refrigerator.

Can you freeze smiley fries?

Just like frozen french fries, smiley fries may be kept in a gallon-sized resealable plastic freezer bag or airtight food storage container in the freezer for up to three months. Reheat them directly from the freezer; there’s no need to thaw them.

How do you reheat smiley fries?

Smiley fries are best reheated in the oven to bring their crisp exterior back to life. Warm them in a 400° oven until they’re heated through and crisp on the outside.

Smiley Fries Tips

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Can you bake homemade smiley fries?

Yes! To make baked smiley fries, arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, smile side up, and brush them lightly with canola oil. Bake the smiley face fries in a preheated 425° oven for 20 to 30 minutes until they’re golden and crispy.

Can you make smiley fries in an air fryer?

To make air-fryer smiley fries, prepare them as directed, then arrange a few smileys in a single layer in your air fryer’s basket. Spritz them with cooking spray and cook them for seven minutes at 400°. Then, flip each smiley face french fry over, spray them with a little more cooking spray and cook them for an additional five to seven minutes until they’re golden and crisp. Remove the fries promptly and repeat with additional batches.

What can you serve with smiley fries?

Smiley fries can be enjoyed with ketchup, honey mustard, ranch dressing, queso dip or marinara. The possibilities are truly endless. Smiley fries make a great appetizer or snack alongside other favorite game-day recipes. They also make a great side dish to serve with some of our favorite kid-friendly dinner ideas, like homemade chicken nuggets or cheeseburger cups.