Your Potato Salad Will Taste Irresistible With One Spud Swap

The general view on potato salad variability is on whether to swap a mayonnaise-based dressing for an oil-based one. The type of potato used seems to be an agreed-upon waxy variety like Yukon gold or new potato because they maintain their shape when boiled and tossed in dressing. However, the spud swap that'll make your potato salad irresistible isn't boiled at all, but fried!

Curly fries are the potato salad protagonist that'll save you time and provide a major flavor and texture upgrade. They're among our top ranked types of fries, with a crunchy, seasoned coating and that spiraled shape that make them fun to eat. While you can make them from scratch using our clever hack to get curly fries without a spiralizer, you can also save yourself time and energy by buying frozen curly fries, like these seasoned fries from Arby's. Give them a quick spray with cooking oil and throw them into the air fryer preheated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 7 to 8 minutes.

While they cook, you can whip up a creamy dressing with plenty of diced aromatics, herbs, and even pickles to toss the fries in fresh out of the air fryer. Unlike loaded fries or poutine, the goal is for the curly fries to retain their shape and crispy bite even after being coated with potato salad dressing. Plus, the seasoning that's on them will be a spicy, savory complement to the tangy, creamy profile of the dressing and mix-ins.

Similar to rotini or fusilli pasta, curly fries have a spiral shape that will effectively catch sauce in its creases. If you want the most even coating and distribution of other garnishes, incorporate all additional seasonings like herbs, pickles, and aromatics into the dressing before pouring it over the fries. A super fine dice for pickles, onions, and herbs will also ensure that they'll stick to the curly fries like a second breading.

We have numerous potato salad recipes to try this swap, from an herbaceous creamy dill potato salad to this bacon and egg ranch potato salad; however, instead of adding the ingredients to a bowl of potatoes, you'll first stir them into the liquid dressing before combining them with the curly fries in a serving bowl. A blend of fresh and dried seasonings will enhance the flavors of your dressing while saving you the prep time. For example, you could add fresh chopped dill, parsley, and diced onions, throwing in a packet of this maggi season-up blend featuring MSG, powdered garlic, onion, and coriander. If you can't imagine eating a batch of fries without ketchup, you can use a ketchup and mayo-based sauce similar to the special sauce that comes on burgers. A spicier comeback sauce with chili sauce and spicy smoky seasonings like cayenne and paprika would also work well.