Togarashi Fries Recipe

Ever met someone who doesn’t like fries?

Neither have we.

Light and crispy, finger chips are among the most popular appetizers and snacks globally.

They are also highly versatile, getting along with nearly every dish.

If you have a last-minute dinner party and can’t come up with any other ideas, togarashi fries, a quick, delicious appetizer, are the way to go.

Togarashi, the famous Japanese spice blend, will add a unique touch to your regular salty fries.

Not only have we simplified the recipe for you, but we also made it healthy.

How to Make Togarashi Fries

Let’s take a look at this recipe for delicious homemade togarashi fries. Do it right, and you may never have to snack out again.

Togarashi is the Japanese word for chili or pepper. 

The Shichimi togarashi spice mix is a blend of seven exotic spices that belong on your fries.

Here, you will find the secret to creating a chef-like togarashi mix.

Just sprinkle the spice mix on your fries, and the dish is ready to serve.

The dish also uses minimal ingredients and equipment, which is always a relief if you do not want a mess.

Ingredients

For the togarashi spice mix

● ½ tsp ginger powder

● 1 tsp black sesame seeds

● 1 tsp white sesame seeds

● 1 tsp Japanese Sichuan peppercorns/Sancho peppercorns

● 2 tsp Nori seaweed

● 1 tbsp dried orange peel

● 1 ½ tbsp chili flakes (Since the togarashi mix is spicy, you can increase or decrease the chili flakes according to your tolerance.)

For the french fries — four servings

● 500g potatoes, peeled and chopped into matchsticks

● 1 ½ tbsp cornflour

● 3 tbsp water

● 2-3 tbsp olive oil

● Salt to taste

Instructions

Before beginning, please note that it is vital to use the exact measurements. 

Shichimi Togarashi Spice Mix:

Step 1

All you need to prepare the spice mix is a pan and a grinder. So, grab your equipment.

Place the pan on the stove and heat it on low flame before adding any ingredients.

Step 2

Once the pan or skillet is slightly warm, add black and white sesame seeds to it.

Mix in the peppercorns and orange peel when the sesame seeds are a little toasty.

Stir the mix till it grows aromatic.

Step 3

Once the mixture heats, wait for it to cool before transferring it to the grinder.

Take the Nori seaweed, gently tear it up, and crumble it with your hands.

Add the crushed Nori along with the remaining ingredients and grind it.

Crush the mix until it gains a coarse or rough texture and looks like the image above.

Store the togarashi powder in a bowl and save it for the end before you start making your fries.

French Fries:

Step 1

Take your chopped potatoes and carefully spread them out on a baking sheet.

Mix the cornflour and water to make a loose paste, and cover the potatoes. 

Step 2

Next, preheat your microwave oven for 5-7 minutes on low while you coat your fries with some olive oil.

Once the oil is spread nicely on the potatoes, season them with salt and half of your togarashi mix.

Put the plate in the oven and let it bake for 10 minutes.

Step 3

Once done, serve the fries in a bowl and sprinkle them with the rest of the togarashi spice mix.

Alternatively, you can also deep-fry your fries. 

To do that, you must follow the same process but instead of placing them in the oven in step three, fry them.

However, baking ensures a healthier snack and fewer calories.

Ingredient Substitution

The best way to make a dish is to add your personal touch. 

So, when you follow any recipe, you can swap a few ingredients to fit your taste better.

Here are a few ingredients in this togarashi fries recipe that you can substitute for the following:

Rice Flour

You can use rice flour instead of cornstarch or corn flour. 

While most people find cornstarch the handiest ingredient, it is often not readily available.

So, rice flour is a good option when you want that crisp crunch but can’t get corn flour.

Corn Oil or Sunflower Oil

Various cooking oils are available in the market, and we all have different preferences.

Olive oil is one of the more popular options, but you can substitute it with other oils like corn oil and sunflower oil.

Allspice, Nutmeg, or Cinnamon

Some people are less fond of ginger than others.

In such cases, you can substitute the ginger powder in the spice mix for allspice, nutmeg, or cinnamon.

While it won’t taste exactly the same, it is a good alternative for the ingredient. 

What to Serve With Togarashi Fries

Togarashi fries make great appetizers and side dishes. 

You can serve them with various dips or burgers and sandwiches.

Here is a list of some dips you can use with togarashi fries:

Garlic Sauce

The Pizza Hut garlic dip is togarashi fries’ best buddy.

It offers a unique Italian flavor to the Japanese spice blend.

Sweet and Sour Sauce

This McDonald’s Sweet and Sour sauce copycat recipe will add a tangy twist to your fries.

Avocado Dip

Avocado dips are both healthy and tasty.

Use this avocado dip as an excuse to add some greens to your meal.

How to Store Togarashi Fries

Togarashi fries have a lower shelf life than regular fries due to exposure to other spices. 

It is crucial to ensure that they remain in a tightly sealed box however you store them.

Here are how long they’ll last in different environments:

In the Fridge

They will likely last a few days if you store them in a fridge.

In the Freezer

Freezing any food item decreases its rotting period. 

You can deep freeze these fries and use them for one week to ten days.

In Room Temperature

The fries will quickly start turning soggy when you leave them outside.

So, if you do not want to reheat them, do not leave them out for more than an hour.

How to Reheat Togarashi Fries 

You should avoid using your microwave as much as possible to reheat your fries, as this will only make them soggy or dry inside. Instead, use an oven.

Oven

To reheat your fries, you should preheat your oven to 425 degrees. After that, place your togarashi fries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and heat for about ten minutes. Give them a quick toss and a couple more minutes in the oven for even more crunch.