Now if we must, at all, for the sake of health, cheat on our loyal potato fries it will have to be for a good enough reason! Can’t be for anything short of...well...fries!! After all, haven’t we banked on them through thick and thin? Psst, here are some healthy options to swap those yummy fries with.
 

Avocado Fries

Avocado Fries

Avocados have the perfect texture to suit the fries and while they are tasty, they also make for an apt side dish to go with your low carb lunches. All you need is to cut your avocados, julienne style (matchstick style) and then do as follows.

Recipe: In a bowl, combine 3/4 cup breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons of ground flax and 1 teaspoon mild chili powder. In another bowl, whisk 1 egg. Cut 2 peeled avocados into 16 wedges, dip wedges in egg, press into breadcrumb mixture and transfer to a baking sheet. Coat it the with vegetable oil, cooking spray. Bake until outside is crispy, 10 to 12 minutes. Season it with salt and drizzle with hot sauce.

 

Banana fries

Banana fries

Go for raw banana (kachcha kela) and treat yourself to solid fries with an earthy flavor.

Recipe: Cut the raw banana julienne style that is in the shape of fries. Spread fries on a baking sheet. Brush fries with olive oil. Combine salt, garlic powder, ground coriander, and cayenne pepper; sprinkle mixture on fries. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes, turning them over about after 10 minutes.

 

Zucchini Fries

Zucchini Fries

In case you are craving the hot and spicy chili fries but want to make do with a healthier alternative; Zucchini fries sprinkled with enough chilis flakes will serve your taste buds just as much. This might seem a little unlikely but Zucchini actually makes for some tasty fries that are also healthy. Not only is it firm in texture but fries well too.

Recipe: Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray. Stir bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese together in a shallow bowl. Whisk eggs in a separate shallow bowl. Working in batches, dip zucchini strips into egg mixture, shake to remove any excess and roll strips in bread crumb mixture to coat. Transfer coated zucchini strips to the prepared baking sheet. Bake zucchini fries in the preheated oven, turn once when golden and crisp for 20 to 24 minutes.

 

Baked Carrot Fries

Baked Carrot Fries

Clearly this is the healthiest possible version of fries. Plus, when served as a side dish with a carb heavy dish like a paste or lasagna it works very well for the taste buds.

Recipe: Peel and slice carrots into french fries. Toss carrots with olive oil, salt and pepper. Arrange carrots in a single layer on baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes then flip each carrot fry. Continue to bake until fully cooked and slightly crispy, about an additional 10 minutes. Serve immediately.

 

French toast fries

French toast fries

French toast fries are as much of an indulgence as the French toast itself, so this weekend go right ahead and treat yourself to some.

Recipe: Cut each slice into 4 sticks. Combine the eggs, milk and a pinch of salt in a bowl large enough to roll the bread sticks in. Combine the cinnamon and sugar on a plate. Heat half the butter in a large pan over medium high heat. Roll the sticks in the egg mixture quickly (do not soak them), shake off excess and place in pan. In my pan I can fit 8 sticks so I cook them in 2 batches. Turn to cook each side until golden. Immediately transfer to the plate with the cinnamon sugar and roll to coat. It's important to do this quickly while they are hot straight out of the pan so it sticks. Melt remaining batter and cook the remaining French toast sticks. Serve immediately with either caramel sauce or maple syrup to dunk the sticks in.

 

Apple fries

Apple fries

Apple fries are possibly the best dessert for when you are having your friends over for the weekend. Serve these with cinnamon, sugar and melted vanilla icecream as a dip for a yumm treat!

Recipe: In deep fryer, use cooking oil in abundance and heat on the highest flame. Add vanilla extract to whipping cream & whip. Add powdered sugar to taste. Now skin the apples & remove those cores. Cut them to desired shape slices. Coat apple slices entirely in cornstarch, shake off excess amount. Place them in the fryer, a few at a time. Remove and allow it to rest on the paper towel. Mix sugar and cinnamon and toss the fried apple slices in it. Serve immediately with whipped cream.