These Spicy Garlic and Sesame Fries are an irresistible fusion of bold, savory flavors. Crispy golden fries are tossed in a fragrant mix of garlic, gochujang, soy, vinegar, and a generous amount of toasted sesame seeds. Topped with spring onions and a drizzle of 5-spice mayo, they’re a fiery, umami-packed party snack or side dish that’s both addictive and vegan-friendly.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

Fries:

• 500g frozen fries

• 2 tbsp white sesame seeds

• 2 tbsp black sesame seeds

• 2 tbsp neutral oil (e.g., sunflower, vegetable)

• 8 garlic cloves, minced

• 2 tbsp gochujang (or sriracha as substitute)

• 2 tbsp light soy sauce

• 1 tbsp rice vinegar

• 1 tsp sugar

• ½ tsp white pepper

• 2 tsp toasted sesame oil

• Handful of spring onion greens, finely sliced

5-Spice Mayonnaise:

• 2 tbsp mayo or vegan mayo

• 1 tsp toasted sesame oil

• ¼ tsp Chinese 5-spice powder

• 1–2 tsp water (to thin into pourable consistency)

Directions

1. Toast sesame seeds: Toast both white and black sesame seeds in a dry pan over low heat, stirring every 2–3 minutes until fragrant and golden.

2. Cook fries: Air-fry or bake the frozen fries according to package instructions until golden and crispy.

3. Prepare sauce: In a pan, heat neutral oil and sauté minced garlic until golden and fragrant (about 1 minute).

4. Add gochujang, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and white pepper. Stir to combine and simmer gently.

5. Add the toasted sesame seeds and mix well. Turn off heat and finish the sauce with toasted sesame oil.

6. Toss fries: Combine the cooked fries with the sauce and spring onion greens. Toss until evenly coated.

7. Prepare mayo: Mix all ingredients for the 5-spice mayo and thin with water until pourable.

8. Serve: Serve fries hot, drizzled with 5-spice mayo or with it on the side for dipping. Optional: top with extra chili oil for more heat.

Nutrients

Estimated per serving (serves 5):

• Calories: ~300–350 kcal

• Fat: ~18–20g

• Carbohydrates: ~35–40g

• Protein: ~3–5g

• Fiber: ~3g

• Sugar: ~2–3g

• Sodium: Moderate–High (due to soy sauce and gochujang)

Fries as a Global Canvas

French fries have long moved beyond their fast-food origins and become a global comfort food, serving as a neutral canvas for endless reinvention. This recipe draws inspiration from Korean and Chinese flavors, leaning into spicy, nutty, and tangy elements that create serious depth. The result is a fusion dish that’s bold but balanced, with heat from gochujang, pungency from garlic, tang from vinegar, and a finishing note of warm sesame richness.

The base of the dish—crispy fries—is a familiar favorite, but once tossed in this punchy sauce and finished with vibrant garnishes, they’re completely transformed. Whether served at a dinner party, game night, or casual brunch, these fries feel exciting, elevated, and utterly craveable.

Building the Sauce: Garlic, Gochujang, and Umami

At the heart of this dish is the spicy garlic sesame sauce, a fiery umami bomb that coats the fries without making them soggy. It begins with minced garlic, sautéed in neutral oil until golden and aromatic. This quick sauté sets the stage for the other ingredients—gochujang (Korean fermented chili paste), light soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and white pepper—to meld together in a sweet, savory, and spicy glaze.

Gochujang is the key here. Its fermented complexity adds depth beyond mere chili heat, bringing a slight sweetness and tang that balances beautifully with the saltiness of soy sauce and the brightness of rice vinegar. A touch of sugar and white pepper round out the flavor profile, enhancing both the spicy and savory components.

The sauce is finished with a drizzle of toasted sesame oil, which adds a rich, nutty aroma and ties all the elements together. This layering of flavors results in a sauce that clings to every fry, delivering punch and nuance in every bite.

Sesame Seeds: A Crunchy, Aromatic Boost

The addition of white and black sesame seeds, toasted separately before being added to the sauce, brings a double benefit: texture and flavor. Toasting the seeds unlocks their oils, releasing a nutty aroma that deepens the dish’s overall complexity. The crunch they provide offers a satisfying contrast to the soft interior and crispy exterior of the fries.

Using both black and white sesame seeds also creates visual appeal, adding contrast and dimension that makes the dish look as good as it tastes. These seeds do more than garnish—they’re integral to the flavor experience.

The Creamy Counterpoint: 5-Spice Mayo

Balancing the bold, spicy glaze is a 5-spice mayo drizzle, a creamy element that softens the heat and adds its own layer of interest. Chinese 5-spice powder—a blend typically including star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorn, and fennel—brings a warm, slightly sweet aromatic quality that’s unexpected and delightful when combined with mayonnaise and sesame oil.

Thinned with a splash of water, the mayo becomes a pourable drizzle that can be spooned over the fries or served on the side as a dip. It not only tempers the heat of the gochujang glaze but also adds a richness that makes the dish feel indulgent without being overwhelming.

For vegan preparation, vegan mayo is a seamless substitute, allowing the dish to remain 100% plant-based without sacrificing any flavor or texture.

Crisp and Contrast: The Perfect Fry

Though the sauce is packed with bold flavors, the fries themselves are kept simple to allow the glaze to shine. Using frozen fries, air-fried or baked until golden and crisp, ensures convenience without compromising on crunch. The key is cooking them until they’re firm enough to hold up to the sauce—no soggy fries allowed.

Once the fries are hot and crispy, they’re tossed immediately in the prepared sauce and finished with fresh spring onion greens. These add a sharp, herbal edge that cuts through the richness of the glaze and complements the sesame and garlic beautifully.

Serving Ideas and Occasions

These fries are versatile enough to serve at a wide range of gatherings:

• Party appetizers: Serve in a large platter with the mayo on the side for dipping.

• Game day snacks: Perfect with chilled drinks and finger food.

• Asian-inspired meals: Pair with bao buns, stir-fried greens, or grilled tofu.

• Brunch twist: Top with a crispy fried egg or tofu scramble for a bold breakfast.

You can also scale the spice level to suit your audience by adjusting the gochujang or substituting sriracha for a milder kick. Want even more heat? A drizzle of chili oil or a few slices of fresh chili will do the trick.

Customizations and Variations

This recipe is ripe for creative adaptation:

• Sweet potato fries: Use sweet potato fries for a deeper, sweeter contrast.

• Toppings: Add crushed peanuts, crispy shallots, or nori flakes for extra umami.

• Protein add-ons: Toss in cubes of crispy tofu or seared tempeh for a more filling dish.

• Gluten-free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce to make it gluten-free.

• Mayo alternatives: Try a tahini drizzle or vegan yogurt sauce if you prefer to skip the mayo.

Conclusion

Spicy Garlic and Sesame Fries aren’t just fries—they’re a full-blown culinary experience. Packed with punchy garlic, smoky heat, nutty crunch, and creamy depth, they bring layers of flavor and texture in a dish that’s easy to prepare, incredibly customizable, and completely satisfying. Whether served as a side, a snack, or the main event, they deliver that perfect balance of bold and comforting—just the kind of dish that keeps people coming back for more.

From casual gatherings to adventurous weeknight dinners, these fries prove that with a few pantry staples and a little creativity, comfort food can be as exciting as it is delicious.