{{Short description|Variation of french fries}}

{{Globalize|1=article|2=US|date=January 2026}} {{Infobox food | name = Curly fries | image = Curly fries, Moonstar Buffet.JPG | caption = | alternate_name = | national_cuisine = United States | creator = | course = | type = French fry | served = | main_ingredient = Potatoes, paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder | variations = Tornado Fries | calories = }}

'''Curly fries''', or '''twisted fries''' or '''spiral fries''', are french fries cut into a spiral shape. Though they are sometimes said to have been invented by the Arby's restaurant chain, their actual origins are more complex; their existence can be traced back to the 19th century. The curly fry shape can also be produced with a spiralizer, spiral scissors, or industrial means.

== Description == Curly fries are french fries cut into a spiral shape.<ref name="grubstreet">{{Cite web |last=Crowley |first=Chris |date=October 4, 2016 |title=In Praise of Curly Fries, the Least Hip, Most Perfect Fry Ever |url=https://www.grubstreet.com/2016/10/in-praise-of-curly-fries.html |website=Grub Street}}</ref> In New York, they are typically seasoned with a distinct spice mix composed primarily of paprika, black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder.<ref name="grubstreet" />

== Origins == Though they are sometimes said to have been invented by the Arby's restaurant chain, their actual origins are more complex.<ref name="mashed1">{{Cite web |date=October 7, 2020 |title=Here's How Arby's Fries Get Their Iconic Shape |url=https://www.mashed.com/258199/heres-how-arbys-fries-get-their-iconic-shape/ |website=Mashed}}</ref> The creation date of the curly fry has not been pinpointed, but its existence can be traced back to the 19th century.<ref name="grubstreet" /> Oklahoma City's Dolores Restaurant and Inn served curly fries as "Suzi-Q potatoes" in 1938.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://idahopotato.com/dr-potato/whats-the-history-on-those-curly-q-style-french-fries-that-chains-like-arbys-sell|title=What's the history on those curly Q style French Fries that chains like Arby's sell? &#124; Idaho Potato Commission|website=Idaho® Potato Commission}}</ref>

In the 1980s, Washington company TaterBoy debuted industrial "Curley Fries".<ref name="grubstreet" /> The first company to produce curly fries in mass quantities is Simplot, which used the specific blend of spices that became popular.<ref name="mashed1" />

Arby's is well known for curly fries, but they did not introduce them until 1988.<ref name="grubstreet" /> However, Arby's may have been the first company to utilize Cajun-style seasoning on their "Curly-Q Fries".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mashed.com/1280850/no-arbys-didnt-invent-iconic-curly-fry/|title=No, Arby's Didn't Invent The Iconic Curly Fry|date=May 9, 2023|website=Mashed}}</ref> thumb|right|Arby's curly fries

== Preparation == The curly fry shape can also be produced with a spiralizer or spiral scissors.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-01-23 |title=Dish of the Day: Curly Fries {{!}} foodpanda Magazine MY |url=https://magazine.foodpanda.my/dish-of-the-day-curly-fries/ |access-date=2023-07-05 |website=foodpanda MY Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>

ConAgra Foods, the company which produces Arby's curly fries, uses powerful industrial machinery such as spiralizers to turn whole potatoes into the curly fry shape. For the spiralizers, the potatoes are cleaned, then are propelled through a set of pipes at 60 miles per hour by water.<ref name="mashed1" /> In the pipes, the potatoes are held in place and sliced by rotating blades, producing a spiral that has been found to go over two and a half feet long when stretched out.<ref name="mashed1" /> The fries are then blanched, dried, battered with a mixture with the seasoning inside, fried, frozen, and refried at the restaurant.<ref name="mashed1" />

== References ==

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{{Potato dishes}}

Category:French fries Category:American cuisine Category:Fast food