Signature Sweet Bay Fries Recipe

Bake or Fry the Fries

Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) for baking, or heat a deep-fryer or heavy pot with 1–2 inches of oil to 350°F (175°C) for frying. If baking: toss the frozen crinkle-cut fries with 2 tbs neutral oil and spread in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment, leaving space between fries. Bake 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy. If frying: working in batches so oil temperature remains steady, fry the frozen fries 3–4 minutes until golden and crisp. Drain on paper towels. Immediately after cooking, sprinkle 1/2 tsp kosher salt evenly over fries.

Keep fries warm on a sheet in a 200°F (95°C) oven if making multiple batches.

While fries cook, combine smoked paprika, brown sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, ground bay leaf, smoked sea salt, black pepper and cayenne in a small bowl. Stir or whisk until evenly blended. Taste and adjust: add more brown sugar for sweetness, more bay for herbal note, or a pinch extra cayenne for heat.

When fries are hot and just salted, toss them in a large bowl with 1/2–1 tsp of the seasoning (start with 1/2 tsp for 1 lb fries). Use tongs to gently but thoroughly coat so seasoning sticks to the hot oil on the fries. Reserve extra seasoning for garnish or future use.

Soak Cashews

If you haven't pre-soaked cashews, place them in a bowl and cover with very hot water for 20–30 minutes, then drain. This softens them for a smooth sauce.

Blend the Sauce

Add drained cashews, plant milk, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, smoked paprika, turmeric, salt and olive oil to a high-speed blender. Blend on high until completely smooth, about 1–2 minutes. If the sauce is too thick to blend, add up to 2 tbs warm water, 1 tbs at a time, to reach a pourable but coating consistency.

Taste and adjust seasoning—more salt for bite, more lemon for brightness, or extra nutritional yeast for cheesiness. Transfer to a small saucepan and warm gently over low heat for 3–5 minutes, stirring constantly. Do not boil; warming will thicken slightly and meld flavors.

Place seasoned fries on a serving plate or in a shallow basket. Drizzle the warm vegan cheese sauce over the fries or serve on the side for dipping.

Sprinkle an additional 1/2 tsp sweet bay seasoning over the sauced fries for an extra layer of flavor, and finish with a light scattering of chopped parsley if using.

Serve immediately so fries remain crisp and sauce remains warm. Leftover sauce can be refrigerated up to 4 days; rewarm gently with a splash of plant milk.