This Kimchi Fries recipe is loaded with layers of bulgogi, caramelized kimchi, and easy but epic sauces that will change up your snack time!
If people are to ask me, Kimchi Fries is not really an authentic Korean recipe. This is almost like a fusion of Western and Korean flavors. I don’t do this often, but this is probably one of the best recipes I’ve ever made.
Air-fried Crispy French Fries
Disclaimer: I get a small commission at no additional cost to you when you make a qualified purchase under the affiliate links.
With the growing fame of air fryers, it has honestly changed the game for frying. Less oil for the same crisp, awesome! But even as a chef for many years, I’m still trying to get a hang of my own air fryer.
To make crispy french fries, you gotta follow every step as they are all very essential.
- For the potatoes, feel free to leave the skin on. Whether peeled or unpeeled, it’s okay either way. What’s important is to cut them in even sizes so they cook up at the same time.
- Soak the potatoes in water for 30 minutes to remove the starch then pat them dry so there will be no moisture. This way, the faster they get crispy!
- Season them according to your preferred seasoning, but you can never go wrong with simply putting salt, pepper, and olive oil. With the flavors that we are topping this with, it’s best to keep the potatoes mellow.
- Only put half the potatoes at a time, evenly spaced, in the air fryer so that it cooks evenly and perfectly. If you don’t have an air fryer, you can double fry this in medium heat for 2 minutes, rest until cooled, then fry again for 4-6 minutes.
The Toppings: Kimchi
Is your Kimchi store-bought or homemade? What’s the best store-bought Kimchi?
I often get asked these questions whenever I use kimchi in a recipe. And of course, as a full-blooded Korean, you know we have our own secret Kimchi recipe. All Koreans take pride in their very own. With that said, I rarely try out the kimchi from the store because we’ve always had it at home.
If you’re wondering which kimchi to buy, you may need to try out different brands in the beginning until you find one you like the most. Try each of them out or you can also try my Fresh Kimchi recipe!
Does Kimchi have to be cooked?
For this recipe, yes! While kimchi is already good right out of the fridge, sauteing it in some sesame oil, sugar, and gochujang will definitely turn down the funk and turn up the flavor. It will become this spicy, sweet, and savory caramelized cabbage. Oooh!
The Toppings: Bulgogi
Can the protein be swapped?? While this recipe is a freestyle, I’ve seen many variations of protein used in kimchi fries. Personally, I think ground beef with bulgogi marinade is the best. But you can also use spicy pork, carnitas, rotisserie chicken, etc.
The Kimchi Fries Sauce: Cheez Whiz & Spicy Mayo
Much like salsa with guac and sour cream, cheez whiz and spicy mayo give the creamy and tangy balance for the sweet and savory flavors of the Kimchi Fries. Keep it simple by microwaving cheese whiz or melting any cheese you have at home, then top it with a mix of mayonnaise and sriracha. Easy peasy!
Assembly and Serving of Kimchi Fries
On a flat plate, evenly space the french fries and top them one by one with the kimchi, bulgogi, onion (which you can caramelize too!), cheese, and spicy mayo. Garnish this with some cilantro and sesame seeds.
With this homemade recipe, you definitely won’t have to look for kimchi fries near you. It’s loaded and built with so many complementing flavors perfect for appetizers, snacks, or game-day munchies!! Serve and down this immediately. No leftovers, non-negotiable. Kakaka~
Other snacks and appetizers you might like:
- Tteokbokki
- Kimchi Pancake
- Chives Pancake
- Sweet Potato Pancake
- Classic Potato Pancake
- Candied Sweet Potatoes
Make sure to leave a rating, a comment, or tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Tiktok when you chop them up! Yeobosayo!
Loaded Kimchi Fries
Ingredients
- 3 pcs Yukon or Idaho Potatoes
- Olive Oil Enough to coat potatoes
- Salt and Pepper To taste
Kimchi
- 1 cup Kimchi
- 1 tbsp Sesame Oil
- 1/2 tbsp Sugar
- 1/2 tbsp Gochujang or Korean Red Pepper Paste
Ground Beef Bulgogi
- 1/2 cup Ground Beef
- 1 1/2 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 tbsp Sesame Oil
- 1 tbsp Sugar
- Pepper To taste
- 1/2 tbsp Garlic
Kimchi Fries Sauce
- 1 cup Cheez Whiz
- 1/2 cup Japanese Mayo
- 2 tbsp Sriracha Sauce
Garnish
- 1/2 Onion Minced
- Cilantro Optional
- Sesame Seeds Optional
Instructions
French Fries
- Slice the potatoes in french fries shape, evenly.
- Soak them in water for 30 minutes, drain, then pat dry.
- Season with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Place half the potatoes in the air fryer with spaces between each others.
- Fry at 380F for 12 minutes, flip, then fry for another 12 minutes.
- Do the same for the next batch of potatoes.
Kimchi Fries Topping
- Saute the Kimchi with sesame oil, sugar, and gochujang until all the sauce are caramelized beautifully.
- Stir fry the ground beef with soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, pepper, and garlic until cooked evenly.
Kimchi Fries Sauce
- Microwave cheez whiz until melted, set aside.
- Combine mayonaise and sriracha, mix thoroughly, and set aside.
Assembly
- Layer potatoes, kimchi, ground beef, onion. Drizzle cheez whiz and spicy mayo. Garnish with cilantro and sesame seeds.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Leave a Reply