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Crab Fries with Beer-Cheese Sauce

February 25, 2015 by Molly 7 Comments

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Crab Fries with Beer-Cheese Sauce

Are crab fries a thing everywhere? I know they’re offered at most casual food joints in Jersey down to Maryland, but do people eat french fries doused in Old Bay spice and dipped in melty cheese anywhere else? I’m really not sure.

If you’ve never heard of this, then I’m here to introduce you to something awesome. If you DO know what I’m talking about, here’s how you make them at home (with a twist, of course). You can just skip down to the recipe and ignore my explanation of this delectable snack. You know what’s up.

Crab Fries with Beer-Cheese Sauce

Crab fries are one of my favorite things to order out as a shared munch. My husband and I adore them. All our friends love them. My sisters and I have been known to kill many a basket of said fries in our day. In fact, I don’t know that I’ve ever come across anyone who DIDN’T like crab fries.

Crab Fries with Beer-Cheese Sauce

They’re a shared staple at most social gatherings taking place in bars and restaurants. A pub food must, if you will. They’re called crab fries because they are seasoned with Old Bay spice, which is basically a requirement when cooking/eating fresh crabs on the East coast. If you eat at any of the awesome waterfront places on the Chesapeake Bay, I wouldn’t attempt to order my crabs without it. I don’t know what they would do with such a request.

Crab Fries with Beer-Cheese Sauce

I’m not sure making such a request would be smart anyway. It is SO good. Peppery, lemony, bold, and just a touch spicy, Old Bay is a unique spice, and it pairs perfectly with buttery seafood. And french fries, apparently. As we all know, french fries are one of those foods that work beautifully as a vehicle for other foods. Melted cheese. Chili. Gravy.

Crab Fries with Beer-Cheese Sauce

I am a huge fan (I inherited this from my mother, who to this day, still steals as many fries off other people’s plates as she possibly can because she tries to be virtuous and not order her own. We’ve had many an argument over this). I love them plain, dipped in ketchup, or smothered in cheese. I’ve never met a fry I didn’t like. Well, that’s not true. I’ve never met a WELL-SEASONED, CRISPY fry I didn’t like. There’s nothing worse than an unsalted or soggy fry, am I right?

Crab Fries with Beer-Cheese Sauce

These fries, like many a restaurant version, are crisped up and then seasoned thoroughly with salt, pepper, and Old Bay and THEN dunked in warm, gooey beer cheese. Yup. BEER cheese. It’s to die for. I mean, how could it not be?

Crab Fries with Beer-Cheese Sauce

The beer is my twist on the classic dipping sauce, which is just melted American cheese. It’s perfect in its own right, but my addition of beer adds even more flavor to the situation. And also makes these the perfect accompaniment to an ice cold glass of your favorite brew. Or to a burger (like these I shared earlier this week).

Crab Fries with Beer-Cheese Sauce

You really can’t go wrong here.

 

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Crab Fries with Beer-Cheese Sauce

Crab Fries with Beer-Cheese Sauce


  • Author: Molly
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
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Description

These Crab Fries with Beer-Cheese Sauce are a homage to an East Coast bar and restaurant staple. Hot, crispy fries tossed in Old Bay spice and served with a gooey, melty beer cheese sauce that will make you go weak in the knees!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 bag of frozen french fries**
  • Old Bay spice, to taste
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Beer-Cheese Sauce:

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 1 garlic clove, pressed or grated
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ½ cup beer (I used a standard lager)
  • 2 cups shredded American cheese (cheddar or jack work well too!)
  • Dash of hot sauce
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Spread the fries out on a baking sheet and drizzle lightly with canola or olive oil. Season liberally with salt and pepper and toss with hands to evenly coat all the fries.
  2. Bake according to the package directions, or until golden and crispy. As soon as they come out of the oven, place in a large bowl and douse with Old Bay spice (this is definitely a “to taste” ingredient, so add as much or as little as you like). If needed, sprinkle with more salt. Transfer the seasoned fries to a serving dish and eat while hot.

For the Beer-Cheese Sauce:

  1. While the fries are baking, make the sauce by melting the butter over medium heat in a small saucepot.
  2. Grate the garlic into the butter and cook for 30 seconds. Add the flour, stir to combine, and cook for 1 minute. Add the beer and cook until mostly reduced. Slowly whisk in the milk, stirring constantly, and cook until the milk has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon.
  3. Whisk in the cheese, hot sauce, and season with salt and pepper. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Keep warm until ready to serve with the fries.

Notes

NOTE:

You can definitely make your own fries. I love this no-fry method for super crispy oven fries. Bake and then toss with the Old Bay once they come out of the oven.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: appetizers

Keywords: old bay french fries, homemade crab fries with cheese sauce, homemade french fries, beer cheese sauce

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @yestoyolks on Instagram and hashtag it #yestoyolks

 

Crab Fries with Beer-Cheese Sauce

Related

Filed Under: Appetizers & Snacks, Recipes, Seafood, Side Dishes, Vegetarian Tagged With: beer, cheese, french fries, Old Bay spice, sides, snacks

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Comments

  1. Jillian @ Yoga Pants Kitchen says

    February 25, 2015 at 6:19 pm

    I love this recipe! It makes me feel like summer is on the horizon!

    Jillian

    Reply
  2. Lokness @ The Missing Lokness says

    February 26, 2015 at 12:41 pm

    Never heard of crab fries before! But they sure sounds tasty! Now, I know they are old-bay seasoned fries! And that cheese sauce… Heavenly!

    Reply
  3. Cecilia says

    March 2, 2015 at 11:35 am

    Hi Molly, what a great idea, I feel like summer is here …!

    Reply
  4. Martha K says

    March 27, 2015 at 5:36 pm

    We call them Old Bay Fries here in South Florida. Original right? But none come with Beer Cheese Dip…Umm hello! Yum!

    Reply
  5. Zayna @Measuring Cups Optional says

    August 16, 2015 at 8:22 pm

    I think I’m in love … The Beer Cheese dip, that just seals the deal

    Reply
  6. Allison says

    August 1, 2020 at 6:27 pm

    Since the cheese dip contains beer, is it still safe to consume for younger individuals? Or would you just leave out the beer for a family recipe?

    Reply
    • Molly says

      August 2, 2020 at 1:33 pm

      If you’re concerned about it, I would just leave it out. Some of the alcohol will cook out of the beer, but not all of it. Totally your call!

      Reply

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