Crinkle-cutting facts for kids

Have you ever seen potato chips or French fries with a cool, wavy shape? That's called crinkle-cutting! It's a special way of slicing food that leaves a bumpy, corrugated surface. This unique cut isn't just for looks; it can also make your food taste even better.

Waffle Fries: A Crispy Treat

Cross-cut waffle fries with a hamburger

One super popular type of crinkle-cut food is the pommes gaufrettes, also known as grid fries, waffle fries, or criss-cross fries. These fries are made from potatoes sliced in a special way. To get their unique look, you turn the potato a quarter-turn before each slice. This is done using a tool called a mandoline, which has a wavy blade.

After slicing, these fries are deep-fried. The wavy shape is really clever! It creates more surface area compared to a regular straight-cut fry. This means more of the potato gets exposed to the hot oil. More water vapor can escape, making the fries extra crispy. Plus, more of the surface can get that yummy golden-brown color. This browning happens because of something called the Maillard reaction, which adds lots of flavor during cooking.

Gallery

Ruffled potato chips
Sweet potato fries or "wavy fries"

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Crinkle-cutting Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.