Forget The Air Fryer: The Cooking Method Bobby Flay Recommends To Give Fries Better Flavor

If you've spent any amount of time watching celebrity chef and Food Network star Bobby Flay on TV, you already know where this article is going: Skip the air fryer and toss potatoes on the grill for better flavor. Flay is known for his love of cooking over an open flame, and potatoes are no exception. In a video clip from one of his many grill-focused cooking shows, "Boy Meets Grill," Flay shares how he grills potato wedges to char-marked perfection.

In the video, Flay says that while you don't have to use Yukon Gold potatoes for grilled fries, they're his go-to choice because they're naturally creamy. He cuts them into wedges, which are easier to maneuver on grill grates than thin-cut fries. From there, Flay recommends brushing your wedges with a neutral oil (he uses canola) and adding some salt and pepper before grilling them over medium-high heat for a couple of minutes on each side. Let's take a look at a few things you'll need to know to grill your fries to crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside perfection, Bobby Flay-style.

Before you slice up your potatoes — Yukon Gold or otherwise — Flay recommends parboiling them so that they're almost completely tender before you toss them on the grill (parboiling is actually the secret for crispy, restaurant-quality roast potatoes, so we're not surprised Flay employs this idea before tossing potatoes on the grill). Doing so means that the grill adds a crisp texture and smoky flavor to the exterior of your potatoes, rather than trying to do the job of cooking them through. 

When it comes to ramping up the flavor of your grilled fries, Flay recommends making a spice rub (you might want to add the secret ingredient that the best store-bought fry seasonings have to take it to the next level) and adding it to your fries once you pull them off the grill. Grilled fries would be great with whatever condiments you're using on your burger — for example, if you're whipping up an at-home Big Mac-style burger, serve some of your homemade McDonald's Big Mac sauce on the side as a dipping sauce for your fries. No matter how you decide to season your fries — or what dippers you serve — tossing them on the grill a la Flay is a smart way to infuse unexpected flavor into every bite.