Smiley Fries | Crispy Potato Smiles Recipe - Cook with Kushi (2024)

Thesehomemade smiley friesare a crispy and addictive snack recipe prepared using only three ingredients. These fries taste similar to McCain® Smiles. It is best to serve as a time snack or party snack.

Recipe card

Smiley face French fries

• Smiley face French fries are a crispy, deep-fried snack made using potatoes. This frozen snack from the Mccain brand is one of my childhood favorites.
• Making it at home is fun and super easy. You can serve it as a snack with a cup of coffee or tea, for birthday or dinner parties with sandwiches, chicken nuggets, etc.
• If you have leftover mashed potatoes, then try this simple recipe.
• This smiley potato recipe is made using only three ingredients: potato, rice flour, and salt. You can make it flavorful with the addition of herbs, spices, and cheese to the dough.
• If you are looking for a quick snack for a Super Bowl or football party or Easter, then try this style of emoji fries. You can even bake or air fry them instead of deep frying.

Check out the list of evening snack recipes and quick and easy recipes with potatoes.

Ingredients

Potatoes: Use russet or yukon golden potatoes.
Rice flour: It is vegan and gluten-free and makes it crispy. You can use corn flour, all-purpose flour, or plain bread crumbs instead. Mainly used for binding.
Salt: to taste
Oil: Use neutral oil like vegetable or canola for frying.

Check out the recipe card for full list of ingredients

Step-by-step instructions

Boil the potatoes

• Peel the skin of potatoes, cut them into cubes, and wash them.
• Cook the potatoes in any way desired. I have just sprinkled water, covered it with a lid, and microwaved the potatoes for 5 minutes.
• Alternatively, cook potato cubes in boiling water for 15 to 20 minutes or pressure cook it for two whistles.

Mash the potatoes and make a dough

• Mash the potato cubes. Add rice flour, little by little, salt, and mix well to form a soft dough. It should be like a playdough and not crumble. (You may have to adjust the flour accordingly based on moisture in potatoes)

Cut into smileys or any emojis

• Place a sheet of parchment paper or plastic wrap on the working surface. You can either sprinkle some flour or grease with oil. I have greased it with oil as I find it much more manageable.
• Place the dough on it, and now place another parchment paper or plastic sheet on top of the dough.
• Using a rolling pin, roll it to a desired thickness, about ¼ inch thick. If you want it crispier, roll it thin.(Thick smileys will be chewy, while thinner ones will be crispier)
• Using a round cutter, cut them into circles.
• Use a straw to pop out eyes and a spoon to create lips.( Roll put the scraps into a ball and repeat the process)
• You can keep this in the freezer for 30 minutes and then fry or store it in a ziplock bag once it becomes hard. Fry as needed for a party or for a tea-time snack.

Crispy smiley fries

• Heat oil in a pan for frying on a medium heat. (Oil should reach approx 350 degrees F).
• Once the oil is hot, drop a few smiles and fry them till they become golden and crispy on both sides by flipping them once or twice. Flipping too much may cause it to break during frying. Do not overcrowd the pan.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer them to a paper towel to absorb any excess oil. Repeat the process for remaining smiles.
• Serve with ketchup, mayonnaise, or mustard, and enjoy.

Chef Tips

• Flour is used mainly for binding. Depending on the size of the potatoes, you may have to add the fl ur. If it becomes dry, it may break during rolling.
• Grease your parchment paper with oil to work smoothly.
• Do not overcrowd the pan. This will not make your smiles crispy.
• See that the frying pan is filled halfway through with oil. I have used a 9-inch deep pan.
• You can use onion powder, garlic powder, pepper powder, or pepper flakes for extra flavor.
• Cheese and herbs can also be added while making the dough.
• I have rolled it a little thinner than mccain as we love crispy fries. Roll the dough a little thick if you want it crispy on the outside with a chewy texture inside.

Air fryer

• Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F.
• Place the fries on a single layer in an air fryer basket.
• Fry for 6 to 10 minutes or until golden brown, depending on the thickness of your fries, flipping it halfway through.

Oven

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place the fries on a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through, flipping halfway through.

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Note: We originally posted this crispy potato smiley face french fries in Sept 2016. It has now been modified in Jan 2024 with Expert Chef Tips, FAQs, Storage Instructions, etc.

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