Who Invented French Fries? A Crispy Innovation

French fries—those golden, crispy potato slices loved around the world—have a history as rich and debated as their flavor. Though no single person can be credited with inventing them, several countries lay claim to their creation. Let’s explore the tasty trail that led to the birth of this iconic food.

Belgium: A Crispy Claim

One of the strongest contenders in the “who invented French fries” debate is Belgium. Historian Jo Gerard claimed that Belgians were frying thin strips of potatoes as early as the 1680s. According to his research, when rivers froze during winter and fresh fish was unavailable, locals sliced potatoes lengthwise and fried them in oil as a substitute for fried fish.

This tale gained further traction from a World War I legend: American or British soldiers stationed in Belgium discovered the dish and named it “French” fries because the Belgian army spoke French—leading to a linguistic mix-up that stuck.

France: Pommes Frites and Culinary Prestige

France is another nation with strong ties to fried potatoes, known locally as pommes frites. A cookbook published in 1755, Les Soupers de la Cour by Menon, includes recipes for deep-fried potato slices, suggesting the French were frying potatoes at least by the mid-18th century.

The influential Frenchman Antoine-Augustin Parmentier, a passionate advocate for potato consumption in Europe, played a crucial role in popularizing the tuber. While there’s no direct evidence he invented fries, he certainly paved the way for their widespread use in French cuisine.

Even Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States, referenced “pommes de terre frites à cru, en petites tranches” (“raw potatoes cut small and deep-fried”) in early 1800s White House menus, hinting at French culinary influence.

Spain: The Forgotten Fry Origin?

Spain also enters the fry-fight, with claims that Galicia was the birthplace of deep-fried potatoes. Spaniards, having brought potatoes from the New World, began frying them as early as the 16th century. The custom reportedly spread from Spain to the Spanish Netherlands, which included present-day Belgium.

Whether or not Spain actually invented fries, its role in bringing potatoes to Europe and establishing early frying traditions is undeniable.

A Shared Culinary Legacy

Trying to pin the invention of French fries on one country may be as slippery as a freshly fried spud. Each nation—Belgium, France, and Spain—played a part in shaping the beloved fry. What truly matters is how each culture contributed to turning a humble potato into one of the world’s most popular foods.

Who invented French fries?

No one person can be credited, but Belgium, France, and Spain all played key roles in the development and popularization of French fries.

The name “French fries” is believed to have come about during World War I when Allied soldiers were stationed in Belgium. These soldiers were introduced to thinly sliced, deep-fried potatoes prepared by locals. Since the Belgian military primarily spoke French, the soldiers mistakenly assumed the dish was of French origin. The label “French fries” stuck, especially among Americans, despite the dish’s deeper ties to Belgian culinary traditions.

Yes. Thomas Jefferson referenced “potatoes deep-fried while raw, in small cuttings” in documents from the early 1800s, making him one of the first Americans to serve a version of French fries.

French fries gained popularity in the United States in the early 20th century, especially after being served in diners and fast-food restaurants.

France popularized the concept of fried potatoes through cookbooks and culinary influence, but it’s debated whether the French actually invented the dish.

Spain may have been the first European country to fry potatoes, starting in Galicia before the method spread to France and Belgium.