5 Healthy (But Just as Addictive) Alternatives to French Fries

I've never met a person who doesn't love French fries. And, to be frank, I have no desire to meet such a person.

I know traditionalists who love their fries with ketchup; European folk who love theirs with mayonnaise; gourmet eaters who prefer truffle oil; and some, like my girlfriend, who just want to eat them plain (I prefer a combination of ketchup, Tabasco, and malt vinegar, for what it's worth).

5 Healthy (But Just as Addictive) Alternatives to French Fries — *Image by Robyn Lee/Flickr*

The Point Is: I Don't Know You, but I Know You Love French Fries

But fries come at a cost. They are, to put it politely, not the healthiest dog at the park. They're also the rare food that McDonald's can make a lot better than you can, meaning they're a nearly impossible snack to acquire if you don't want to make a trek to a fast food joint.

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My solution is French fry alternatives: snacks that are just as tasty and addictive, but easy to make at home and much healthier than deep-fried potatoes. Here are my five favorite alternatives, which work as a snack, or alongside a juicy burger.

1. Seasoned Pepper Sticks

I'm a huge bell pepper fan, but let's be honest: they can be a little bland. Because bell peppers are so sweet, however, they can take heavy flavors very well. I like to cut mine into strips and coat them in a large amount of seasoning for a crunchy, fresh taste.

You can use whatever flavors you like, including premade rubs and spice blends, but I prefer a simple mixture of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne. Serve them as is, or with hummus, ranch, or blue cheese dressing.

2. Baked Green Bean Sticks

Green beans have a reputation for being boring, but they don't have to fit their stereotype. You can extract a lot of flavor from the beans by baking them until they start to char and get a little crispy. I toss mine in olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and freshly grated parmesan cheese, and then pop them in an oven at 375°F until they're nice and crisp.

3. Heirloom Carrot Fries

Carrots are a perfect potato substitute. They're hearty like potatoes, and they do well with aggressive seasoning. I coat mine with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and then bake them at 450°F; the super-hot oven ensures that they develop a crisp exterior, just like a French fry. I even think they're perfect dipped in ketchup!

And while you can make carrot fries with standard carrots, heirloom carrots (which come in amazing colors) add fun presentation value, and bring a stronger array of flavors to the table.

4. Zucchini Chips

Cut a zucchini into small rounds, toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and bake at 425°F until crisp. What could be easier? A word of warning: cook more than one zucchini at a time, as these chips are as addictive as they are easy to make.

Or, if you want something a little more luxurious, you can make breaded zucchini fries.

5. Kale Chips

You may think that kale chips sound like something for hipsters and hippies. And while everyone I know who fits into those two categories does indeed enjoy a good kale chip or seven, so will you. I am definitely not on the kale bandwagon, but dang... these chips sure are something else!

I make mine with olive oil, salt, white pepper, garlic powder, and lemon zest, but a simple salt and pepper mixture works brilliantly as well. After seasoning (only use the leaves, no stalks), cook kale chips at a low temperature (preferably 300°F), as that lets them crisp up without burning. Then, eat them all!

Do you have any other great French fry alternatives for happy snacking?