Manchurian Fries is a Indo Chinese appetizer where crispy Fries are coated in a sweet, spicy and tangy sauce that is finger licking good.
If you love Gobi Manchurian, then you will equally love these French Fries Manchurian.
What is Manchurian Fries?
Manchurian Fries is my take on the Popular Gobi Manchurian ( fried cauliflower tossed in a sweet, spicy sauce). Fries are tossed in a sauce made with green chili, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, chili sauce, ketchup, and vinegar. This flavorful umami rich sauce when tossed with crispy fries creates one of the amazing appetizers.
Indo Chinese dishes are very popular in Indian sub continent. What makes these dishes a favorite among Indians is the Chinese cooking techniques adapted to satisfy the Indian taste buds.
Some of our favorite Indo- Chinese dishes are – Burnt Garlic Fried Rice, Soya Chunks Manchurian, and Sweet Corn Vegetable Soup.
Deep fry or air fry/bake the fries?
For the best texture I recommend deep frying. But if you are not interested in deep frying, you can air fry or bake them. To maintain the crunch serve them immediately.
I often make these for my kids and prefer air frying.
Step by Step Instructions:
Manchurian Sauce-
In a bowl whisk together 2 tablespoons of water, 4 tablespoons of ketchup, 2 tablespoons of Maggi sweet and spicy chili sauce ( or use any chili sauce + 1 teaspoon brown sugar), 1 ½ tablespoons soy sauce, 2 teaspoons vinegar and 1 teaspoon sesame oil.
Heat a flat or a wok and add one tablespoon oil. Add 2 green chili, 1 tablespooon ginger and 4 large garlic cloves. Stir fry for 30-45 seconds in low flame. Do not brown the garlic.
Add 1 small finely chopped red onion and 2 shallots (white part) and a pinch of salt. cook for 5-7 minutes till onion turn light brown.
Reduce the heat to low, and pour the Manchurain sauce. cook for 2 minutes stirring frequently. Taste the sauce and adjust any seasoning to your taste. It should be sweet, spicy and tangy. Turn off the heat.
Making the Fries:
You can either deep fry the fries, or use ready available fries from your favorite fast food place or use frozen fries (which can be deep fried, baked or air fried).
Today I am sharing the Air Fry method. If you are looking for Indian style, try my Masala French Fries.
Air Fried Fries:
Wash and peel the potatoes. Cut them to medium sticks and add them to a large bowl of water. Mix them lightly so they release some starch. Drain the water, add more water and soak the potatoes for 20 minutes.
After 20 minutes drain all the water and transfer the potatoes to a clean kitchen towel. Wipe them till they are completely dry.
Preheat the Air Fryer to 380 F for 3 minutes. Transfer the dried potatoes to a clean bowl and add one tablespoon of oil and ¾th teaspoon of salt. Mix it well.
Add them to the air fryer in single layer, do not over crowd. Air Fry at 380F ( 190 C ) for 18-20 minutes, shake the basket half way through.
Mixing the Fries and Manchurian Sauce:
Add the fries to the Manchurian Sauce and toss well. Just warm them for 30-45 seconds. Add the green part of the scallions and finely chopped coriander and serve them immediately.
Tips & Notes:
For the best texture enjoy them immediately. If you have left overs, you can warm the up. They still taste good but will be soft.
Adjust the sauces according to your taste. My measurements are moderately spiced.
French Fries Manchurian
Ingredients
Manchurian Sauce
- 4 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons maggi sweet and spicy chili sauce ( or use sambal olek or any chili sauce + 1-2 teaspoons brown sugar)
- 1 ½ tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoon water
- 2 green chili, finely chopped
- 1 inch ginger, finely chopped
- 4 medium garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 small red onion, finely chopped
- 2 green onions ( white and greens separated)
- 1 tablespoon coriander leaves, finely chopped
Fries
- 3 medium russet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon oil
- ¾ teaspoon salt
Instructions
Manchurian Sauce
- In a bowl whisk together 2 tablespoons of water, 4 tablespoons of ketchup, 2 tablespoons of Maggi sweet and spicy chili sauce ( or use any chili sauce + 1-2 teaspoons brown sugar), 1 ½ tablespoons soy sauce, 2 teaspoons vinegar and 1 teaspoon sesame oil.
- Heat a flat pan or a wok and add one tablespoon oil. Add 2 green chili, 1 tablespoon ginger and 4 large garlic cloves. Stir fry for 30-45 seconds in low flame. Do not brown the garlic.
- Add 1 small finely chopped red onion and 2 shallots (white part) and a pinch of salt. Cook for 5-7 minutes till onion turn light brown.
- Reduce the heat to low, and pour the Manchurian sauce. cook for 2 minutes stirring frequently. Taste the sauce and adjust any seasoning to your taste. It should be sweet, spicy and tangy. Turn off the heat.
Fries
- You can either deep fry them, or use readily available fries from your favorite fast food place or use frozen fries (which can be deep fried, baked or air fried). Today I am sharing the Air Fryer method.
- Wash and peel the potatoes. Cut them to medium sticks and add them to a large bowl of water. Mix them lightly so they release some starch. Drain the water, add more water and soak the potatoes for 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes drain all the water and transfer the potatoes to a clean kitchen towel. Wipe them till they are completely dry.
- Preheat the Air Fryer to 380 F for 3 minutes. Transfer the dried potatoes to a clean bowl and add one tablespoon of oil and ¾th teaspoon of salt. Mix it well.
- Add them to the air fryer in single layer, do not over crowd. Air Fry at 380F ( 190 C ) for 18-20 minutes, shake the basket half way through.
MIXING THE FRIES AND MANCHURIAN SAUCE:
- Add the fries to the Manchurian Sauce and toss well. Just warm them for 30-45 seconds. Add the green part of the scallions and finely chopped coriander and serve them immediately.
Madhavi
Thank you!