Crispy, golden, salty — what is better than a french fry?! My beef tallow fries are delicious and a beautiful alternative to your usual seed oil, drive through french fries. If you’ve never cooked with beef tallow before, this is the perfect recipe to start with. It doesn’t add extra flavor to the fries but enhances their crispiness, thanks to its high smoke point. Plus, air frying makes the process easy and cost-effective—using just a tablespoon or two of tallow for incredible results.
Why Beef Tallow? What is the hype?
Beef tallow is rendered beef fat. Unprocessed, naturally high in good, saturated fat, and hold up well to high heat cooking – making it ideal for frying, searing and general cooking. Other oils like peanut, vegetable, etc are high in unsaturated fat. It is also INCREDIBLY versatile. Like coconut oil, it’s packed with fat-soluble vitamins and has been used historically in everything from skincare to candle-making. Whether you’re looking for a healthier frying fat or a multi-purpose kitchen staple, beef tallow is a game-changer.
These are my favorite beef tallows: Traditional Nutrients (my go to & favorite, no smell) & Epic Beef Tallow (this is a little cheaper, but has a much beefier smell). Both are great and I use them regularly so choose what fits your taste and budget!
Whether you’re looking for a healthier frying fat or a multi-purpose kitchen staple, beef tallow is a game-changer. Plus, beef tallow is reusable! If you ever decide to deep-fry, you can strain and store it after cooking, getting multiple uses out of it. Compared to constantly buying bottles of high-priced oils, tallow is an incredibly smart and flavorful choice for home cooking.
Cost-Effective & Delicious
One of the best things about using beef tallow in the air fryer is that you don’t need a whole pot of oil. Traditional deep frying requires cups of fat, but here, just a tablespoon or two gives you perfectly crisp fries.
Can I Bake Beef Tallow Fries
Absolutely! If you don’t have an air fryer, baking them in the oven is another great option. Here’s how:
- Preheat your oven to 450°F – A hot oven mimics the high heat of frying.
- Prepare the fries the same way – Toss with melted beef tallow, a little cornstarch, and salt.
- Spread them out – Use a parchment-lined baking sheet and arrange the fries in a single layer without overcrowding.
- Bake for 20-30 minutes – Flip halfway through, and keep an eye on them until they’re crispy and golden brown.
While they won’t get quite as crisp as in an air fryer, the oven method still delivers incredible flavor with that signature tallow richness.
From the Kitchen
Connect with Me
When you make these Beef Tallow Fries, please let me know your thoughts! Tag me on Instagram @homecooksnotes or comment below to share your thoughts. I LOVE making fries this way. Do you use beef tallow or have any beef tallow questions?
Beef Tallow Fries in Air Fryer
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 russet potatoes
- kosher salt
- ½ tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp beef tallow
Instructions
- Cut Potatoes Into Fries: Trim the ends to create a uniform shape for even fries. Cut them into planks by slicing 1/4 inch thick slabs or "planks" from top to bottom. You should have 4-5 slabs per potato depending on its size. Cut slabs into sticks. Stack 2-3 at a time and slice lengthwise into 1/4 inch sticks. If some are very uneven, trim them slightly so they cook evenly!
- Melt your Tallow: Add tallow to dish and microwave in 20-30 second increments until melted enough to toss over fries.
- Prep Fries for Air Fryer: Add cut fries to a mixing bowl. Drizzle tallow and add cornstarch and pinch of salt. Toss until no cornstarch is visible.
- Air Fry Fries: Preheat air fryer to 425°. Place fries on basket, try to line up not touching each other to start. Depending on the size of your basket, you may have to do 2 batches. Air fry 15-25 minutes. Shake basket every 5 minutes until fries are golden brown and crisp! Carefully remove and add to clean bowl or plate. Let cool 5 minutes, they will crisp up a little more as they cool. Toss in more salt if that's how you like them! Serve hot with ketchup or your favorite sauce.
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