Pesto Fries

Want a french fry recipe for when you’re craving salty and crunchy? Pesto fries are drizzled with a buttery pesto sauce and make a great snack or side dish. 

Who doesn’t love a big pile of hot, crispy french fries?  They are like a really great little black dress, they go with everything and can be dressed up with a few accessories.  The ‘accessories’ for these fries happen to be a delicious parmesan pesto sauce that is drizzled on then baked in.  Sprinkle with more cheese and you’ve got a great dish for this Mitten Movie Night.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• What movie or TV show pairs well with fries and beer?
• What beer pairs well with pesto fries?
• How to make this recipe
• FAQ’s
• Looking for a dish to serve with these parmesan pesto fries?
• Pesto Fries

This pesto fries recipe is inspired by a hot dog food truck that we had dinner from at our local energy cooperative customer appreciation day.  I was sad that I didn’t get the name of it because if I had, I probably would be following it like a Grateful Dead groupie.

While waiting in line to order the smell coming out of the food truck was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.  Once I was up to the window I ordered a bacon-wrapped hot dog and for the side, pesto fries.  They came out piping hot and loaded with pesto, cheese and tasted even better than I expected.

I locked the flavors away in my mind and knew that like most wonderful things I eat, I had to come home and recreate this Pesto Fries recipe and pair it with some great craft beer.

Ingredients

This french fries recipe has-

• Frozen French fries that have been baked until crispy
• An easy parmesan and basil pesto sauce for drizzling on the French fries

What movie or TV show pairs well with fries and beer?

I’m sure you have probably heard of a little show that is sweeping the horror scene called, The Haunting of Hill House.  While Halloween is over, this show will keep you in the creeps for a long time.  My recommendation when you start watching is to plan for a binge session because you will NOT be able to turn away.

What beer pairs well with pesto fries?

The beer: Little Sumpin’ Sumpin from Lagunitas. 

Lagunitas is a brand that we have on hand at our house fairly regularly. This beer, in particular, is one of my husband’s favorites and can usually be found in a mixed case at Costco with other ones, like Hazy Wonder.

How to make this recipe

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees or to the temperature that is on the package of fries.

On a sheet pan, place parchment paper.  Spread the whole bag of frozen french fries to the pan in a single layer.

Cook according to package directions, mine took about 30 minutes flipping halfway through.

In the last 5 minutes of cooking, make the pesto sauce that goes on top.

In a heatproof cup or glass measuring cup, melt the butter.

To the melted butter add the minced garlic and Parmesan cheese.

Then the prepared pesto sauce.

Finally, pour in the olive oil.  Stir to combine completely.

Take the French fries out of the oven and pour the pesto sauce over the fries.  Put back into the oven for 5 minutes.

Take out and serve individually with parmesan-Romano cheese sprinkled on it.

FAQ’s

Can you make the French fries in the air fryer instead of the oven?

Yes. Cook at 400 degrees for 15 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes so that the fries don’t stick to the bottom.

Can I use homemade pesto in this recipe?

Yes. There is a great recipe from Love and Lemons that is one of my favorites to make.

Looking for a dish to serve with these parmesan pesto fries?

• Dry Rub Chicken Wings
• Michigan Hot Dogs
• Jerk Chicken Sandwiches

And here you are……

From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!

Originally published in November of 2018. Updated post in June of 2021. 

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Last Updated on February 22, 2022 by [email protected]