Crab fries are a popular snack item that puts a unique spin on classic french fries. They have become especially beloved in the Philadelphia area, where they were invented in the late 1970s. Keep reading to learn all about the history prep, and best dipping sauces for crab fries!
A Brief History of Crab Fries
Crab fries were created by Pete Ciarrocchi, founder of the famous Philadelphia-area restaurant chain Chickie’s & Pete’s. The story goes that Pete experimented with seasoning mixtures for fries during the off-season when crabs weren’t available. He tried out different spice blends on fries and asked for feedback from the regular bar customers. After two years of tweaking, he settled on a seasoning blend that everyone loved.
That blend came to be known as the crab fries seasoning. It’s kept secret to this day! Once Pete perfected his crab fries, they quickly became a staple menu item at his first restaurant on Robbins Avenue in Philadelphia. Crab fries propelled Chickie’s & Pete’s to local fame and set them on a path of expansion across the Philly region.
Nowadays, you can find crab fries at Chickie’s & Pete’s locations as well as sports stadiums, boardwalks, and amusement parks. They’re a signature Philadelphia food!
How Are Crab Fries Made?
The base of crab fries is simple – fresh crinkle cut french fries. The crinkle cut helps the seasoning adhere. The fries are tossed in a proprietary blend of spices that likely contains Old Bay seasoning. The spice blend infuses the fries with robust, crab-like flavors.
In addition to seasoning, another key component of crab fries is the dipping sauce. Chickie’s & Pete’s offers a creamy white cheese sauce. Copycat recipes suggest using a smooth sauce made with melted white American cheese and warm milk. The creamy, cheesy dipping sauce perfectly complements the zesty fries.
What Do Crab Fries Taste Like?
Crab fries offer a triple punch of texture, spice, and creaminess The crinkle cut fries offer a crispy outside and fluffy interior The seasoning provides notes of seafood, garlic, paprika, and other herbs and spices. When dipped in the white cheese sauce, you get a cool, tangy creaminess.
Overall, the taste is addictive! The blend of flavors and textures is hard to stop eating. Crab fries have a robust, indulgent taste that’s satisfying yet leaves you craving more. They strike the perfect balance between savory and spicy.
Top Tips for Making Crab Fries at Home
Want to recreate the magic of crab fries at home? Here are some tips:
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Use crinkle cut fries – this potato shape really soaks up the spices. Bake or air fry instead of frying for a healthier option.
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Season generously with Old Bay seasoning or experiment with blends containing paprika, garlic powder, cayenne, and oregano.
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Allow the fries to cool slightly after cooking before seasoning so the spices stick better.
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Dip in a homemade cheese sauce made with melted white American cheese and warm milk. Aim for a creamy, tangy flavor.
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Serve the fries hot and the cheese sauce warm for optimum texture and flavor.
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Offer additional dipping sauces like ranch, marinara, or malt vinegar for more flavor options.
With the right prep, you can make restaurant-quality crab fries at home! It just takes quality crinkle cut fries, liberal use of seasoning, and a smooth, creamy cheese sauce.
Creative Dipping Sauces for Crab Fries
One of the joys of crab fries is pairing them with fun dipping sauces beyond the classic white cheese sauce. Here are some delicious sauce ideas:
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Ranch – Cool and creamy, ranch makes a lighter dipping sauce. Use homemade or high-quality store-bought.
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Marinara – For an Italian flair, opt for tangy, herb-infused marinara sauce.
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Malt vinegar – Tart malt vinegar brightens up the fries’ spice. Perfect for fish and chips lovers!
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Honey mustard – For a blend of sweet and savory, try zingy honey mustard.
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Sriracha aioli – Mix sriracha sauce into creamy aioli for a spicy dipping sauce.
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Queso – Smooth and cheesy queso is always a crowd-pleaser for dipping fries.
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Guacamole – Cool, fresh guacamole balances the hot spice of the crab fries.
Don’t limit yourself to just cheese sauce – get creative with fun flavor combinations! The seasonings in crab fries pair well with a wide range of sauces.
Why Crab Fries Are So Popular
There are several reasons why crab fries have achieved their iconic status:
Unique flavor – The Old Bay-inspired seasoning gives the fries a distinctive crab and seafood taste you don’t find with typical French fries. The flavor really hooks people.
Perfect bar food – Crab fries are the ideal bar snack. The zesty seasonings and indulgent cheese sauce make them perfect for pairing with beers or cocktails.
Philadelphia tradition – Local Philly pride helps drive the popularity of crab fries, a food invented in the city. Eating them is part of the Philadelphia sports tradition.
Addictive texture – The crispy exterior and fluffy interior of the fries makes them irresistible. The crinkle cut soaks up maximum seasoning.
Customizable – You can tweak crab fries to suit your tastes with different seasonings and dipping sauces. The possibilities are endless!
Crab fries have earned a place in Philadelphia’s culinary hall of fame. Their iconic status continues to grow as they expand across the region and beyond. Once people try this addictive snack, they’re hooked!
Where to Enjoy the Best Crab Fries
For authentic crab fries in Philadelphia, you can’t beat heading to one of the 18 Chickie’s & Pete’s locations in the city and surrounding area. The original restaurant on Robbins Avenue still serves up the crabfries that started it all back in the late 1970s.
In addition to the restaurants, you can find Chickie’s & Pete’s crab fries at many spots around Philly:
- Citizens Bank Park and Wells Fargo Center – home to the Phillies and Flyers
- Lincoln Financial Field – where the Eagles play
- Xfinity Live! and the Sports Complex – part of the stadium area
- The Philadelphia Zoo and Sesame Place theme park
Beyond Philly, crab fries are now served at destinations like MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the Shore towns along the Jersey boardwalk, Hersheypark in Pennsylvania, and as far away as Las Vegas!
Crab Fries Copycat Recipes to Try at Home
If you can’t make it to Philadelphia for the real thing, try one of these copycat recipes to experience crab fries at home:
Easy Crab Fries
- Crinkle cut fries
- Old Bay seasoning
- White American cheese sauce
Toss hot fries in Old Bay. Serve with melted American cheese mixed with milk.
“Fried” Crab Fries
- Air fried crinkle fries
- Old Bay + paprika + garlic powder
- Ranch dressing
Toss air fried fries in seasoning blend. Serve with ranch dressing for dipping.
Spicy Crab Fries
- Oven baked crinkle fries
- Old Bay + cayenne + black pepper
- Sriracha mayo
Coat baked fries in spicy seasoning. Mix sriracha into mayo for dipping.
With the right ingredients and a dash of creativity, you can make your own versions of crab fries to enjoy anytime!
Crab Fries – A Unique Twist on an American Classic
Crab fries combine the comforting taste of French fries with zesty crab seasoning and creamy cheese sauce. This Philadelphia specialty has earned national acclaim over the past 40+ years. The unique flavor and addictive texture make crab fries a go-to bar food and game day snack. Fans can’t get enough of this craveable treat!
While the original Chickie’s & Pete’s crab fries are hard to beat, the recipe can be adapted at home too. All you need are quality crinkle cut fries, liberal seasoning, and a smooth cheese dipping sauce. Crab fries are a perfect appetizer to enjoy anywhere – from Baltimore to Los Angeles. Give this iconic regional snack a try to taste why they have such devoted fans.
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- Ready in no time: From start to finish, it won’t take you more than 30 minutes to get these crab fries on the table.
- Flavor party: Seasoned to perfection and incredibly cheesy, this savory dish is definitely satisfying when it comes to the flavor factor!
- Great for crowds: This fun finger food is great for serving guests, family, friends, or any group of people! I always get so many compliments on this recipe.
- Simple but impressive: This is one of the easiest appetizers you can make but also the most impressive!
Ingredients You Will Need
- Crab meat: I recommend jumbo lump crab meat for this recipe but I know it can be pricy so you can use lump crab if you like but I don’t recommend anything smaller than that.
- French fries: I use frozen waffle fries for convenience but feel free to swap them with your favorite fast food fries or even some homemade Crispy Air Fryer French Fries.
- Cream cheese: I prefer to use whipped cream cheese since it’s nice and airy which makes it easy to mix, but you can also use a softened cream cheese block.
- Old Bay seasoning: When it comes to seasonings, Old Bay and crab go together better than anything! This is all you’ll need to pull the flavors together.
- Shredded cheese: For best results, I recommend buying blocks of cheese and shredding them yourself, but pre-shredded cheese is a convenient option as well!
*For a detailed list of instructions, ingredients and measurements, please reference the recipe card down below.
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FAQ
What are Crabfries made of?
Crab fries are typically made with french fries tossed in a seafood seasoning, often Old Bay, and then topped with a warm cheese sauce or served with it on the side for dipping.
What are Crabfries at Chickie and Pete’s?
PSA: Chickie’s & Pete’s Crab Fries do not contain crab. For those Marylanders coming up to Philly for the O’s Phillies series. Chickie’s & Pete’s Crab Fries do not contain crab. It’s just imitation Old Bay on crinkle fries with a side of cheese. No actual crab meat. Archived post.
What do Crabfries taste like?
crab chips are seasoned with old bay or some knockoff thereof which mostly tastes like paprika, salt and pepper and celery salt. they aren’t flavored with the taste of the actual crustacean – at all.
Do Crabfries have seafood?
Although a standard Crabfries order doesn’t contain crabs, the dish was inspired by the crabby seasoning blend. It took Ciarrocchi two years to build the perfect Crabfries seasoning mixture, which he often asked restaurant regulars to taste-test.