Air Fryer New Jersey Disco Fries Recipe – with Homemade Gravy
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Disco fries are the ultimate comfort food—a classic New Jersey diner dish featuring a delicious combination of crispy fries, savory brown gravy, and gooey melted cheese. This healthier version keeps all the indulgent flavors you love while using air-fried fresh potatoes instead of frozen french fries and a homemade gravy that takes minutes to make; they are perfect for a late-night snack or side dish.
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What you’ll love about this recipe
Here is what you will need
Ingredient List
How to make healthy Jersey disco fries
Prepare the ingredients:
- Rinse the potatoes and pat them dry
- Chop the onion
- Shred the cheese
STEP 1: Use a sharp knife or a crinkle cutter to cut the potatoes into uniform-sized pieces shaped like french fries.
STEP 2: Place the cut french fries into a bowl of cold water and let them soak for at least one hour.
STEP 3: While the potatoes are soaking, make the disco fries gravy. Heat olive in a pan over medium-high heat; cook the onions for a few minutes until they begin to soften. Reduce the heat to medium heat and whisk in the flour until it forms a thick paste.
STEP 4: Reduce to low heat, and gradually add the broth stirring constantly until the gravy thickens. Stir in the tamari sauce. Turn the heat to low to keep warm.
STEP 5: Drain the potatoes and pat them dry. Toss them in olive oil. Arrange them on an air fryer tray or basket in an even layer. Air fry for 15 minutes.
STEP 6: Flip the air-fried potatoes over and cook for five minutes longer. Assemble the disco fries: pile the cooked potatoes on a plate, pour the gravy over the potatoes, add shredded cheese or curds.
NOTE: Cooking time can vary depending on your air fryer and the size of the potatoes. The fries are done when they are golden brown and crispy.
Tips & Tricks
- For the best results assemble the disco fries just before serving.
- To keep the gravy from becoming thick while the potatoes are cooking, give it a stir every few minutes.
- If your air fryer is small, you may need to make the fries in two batches. Keep the first batch warm in a 300-degree f. oven on a baking rack so that the air can circulate around them.
- Be sure to thoroughly dry the potatoes before adding the oil so that the oil adheres to the potatoes.
- If you are using shredded cheese, shred the cheese yourself. Pre-shredded cheeses have additives that keep the cheese from clumping, which also prevents the cheese from melting nicely.
What are disco fries?
Disco fries, New Jersey’s take on Canadian poutine, are a diner favorite that’s been around since the early ’80s. Also known as gravy fries, gravy cheese fries, or New Jersey diner fries, this tasty dish holds a special place in local food culture.
I am from New Jersey, and I enjoy sharing regional recipes that highlight my state’s flavors—like chicken murphy or the iconic Jersey burger. Since disco fries were one of my go-to snacks before I paid attention to healthier eating, I decided to recreate this classic with a lighter twist. Now you can enjoy a healthier version of this New Jersey diner staple!
Serving suggestions
Serve disco fries as an appetizer (they are perfect for game day) or as a side dish with burgers, or grilled meat.
Another fun idea would be to make a disco fries bar. Serve plain fries on a platter and set out a station with gravy, cheese sauce, salsa, different cheeses, and toppings, and let everyone make their own disco fries.
How to store and use leftovers
This is a recipe that really doesn’t do well leftover. The fries get soggy, but the flavor is still there. If you don’t mind soggy fries and you have leftover disco fries, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days.
Reheat leftover jersey fries in the oven or microwave.
Variations
These fries really are a blank slate. You can add any combination of ingredients to come up with your own version. Here are some suggestions.
Mushroom – Add sliced sauteed mushrooms to make mushroom gravy for the fries, and top with freshly shredded Gruyere cheese or swiss cheese.
Blue Cheese– Top the fries with crumbles of blue cheese and beef gravy or hot sauce.
Vegan – Use vegan cheese or sprinkle a tablespoon or two of nutritional yeast on top of the fries.
Chicken – Add shredded chicken, chicken gravy, and provolone or swiss cheese, and top with sliced green onions.
Jalapeno and Bacon – Top with cheddar, cotija, or pepper jack cheese, bacon crumbles, and jalapeno peppers – the gravy is optional.
Recipe FAQs
Soaking the potatoes before cooking them in an air fryer will draw out some of the starch, which will help make the fries crispy.
That is up to you. Potato skins are the most nutritious and flavorful part of the potato, so it’s okay to not peel them.
Yes, they can. Arrange the potatoes in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and don’t overcrowd the pan. Place them into a preheated 425-degree f oven and bake for 10 minutes. Flip the potatoes over and bake until the fries are golden and crispy; about 8 to 12 minutes longer.
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Air Fryer Disco Fries
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 russet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 1 tablespoon onion chopped
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth low sodium
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1/4 cup cheese shredded mozzarella or cheese curds
- 1 teaspoon tamari sauce Optional
Instructions
- Use a sharp knife or a crinkle cutter to cut the potatoes lengthwise into uniformly sized french fries.
- Add the french fry slices to a bowl of cold water and soak for at least one hour.
- While the fries are soaking, make the gravy. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chopped onion and cook for few minutes until it begins to soften.
- Reduce the heat to medium heat and whisk in the flour until it forms a thick paste. Reduce the heat to low heat and gradually add the broth stirring constantly until the gravy thickens. Stir in the tamari sauce and turn the heat to low to keep the gravy warm.
- Drain and dry the potatoes thoroughly and place them into a shallow bowl. Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and toss making sure all of the potatoes are covered with oil
- Arrange the prepared potatoes in an even layer in an air fryer basket leaving enough space between the potatoes to allow the air to circulate between them.
- Place the potatoes into a a preheated at 400 degree f air fryer. Air fry the potatoes for approximately 15 minutes. Flip them over or give them a shake and air fry until crispy up to another 5 minutes longer.
- Remove the fries from the air fryer and place them on a plate. Pour the gravy over the top of the fries and top with cheese.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and can vary based on cooking methods and ingredients used
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