The Secret to Perfect Homemade French Fries
Getting Started
With just a few simple ingredients and some planning ahead, you can create crispy, mouth-watering French fries in the comfort of your own home. No need to rely on fast food chains or takeout spots – you’re just a few steps away from a delicious, customizable snack.
Choosing the Right Potatoes
For the perfect French fries, you’ll need potatoes that are high in starch, like russet or Idaho potatoes. These will yield a crispy exterior and a fluffy interior. Avoid waxy potatoes, and if you’re in a pinch, Yukon Golds can be used as a substitute.
Gathering Your Ingredients
- 3 pounds russet potatoes
- Ice
- Juice of 1 lemon
- About 3 quarts peanut or canola oil (do not use olive oil or any other oil with a low smoke point)
- Kosher salt
Special Equipment
- A chef’s knife or French fry cutter
- A frying vessel (like a Dutch oven) or a deep fryer
- Baking sheets
- Tongs or a spider strainer
- A deep-fat thermometer
The Double-Fry Technique
To achieve that perfect crispiness, you’ll need to fry your potatoes twice. First, blanch them in hot oil to reinforce their surface crispiness, then fry them again to cook them through. Here’s how:
- Cut your potatoes into sticks and soak them in cold water for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Drain and dry the potatoes, then heat the oil to 325°F.
- Fry the potatoes in small batches until they’re tender and lightly golden brown, about 4-6 minutes.
- Let the fries cool for 20 minutes, then raise the heat to 375°F.
- Fry the potatoes again in small batches until they’re evenly crisp and golden brown, about 2-3 minutes.
- Drain the fries and sprinkle with salt. Serve immediately!
Flavor Variations
Take your French fries to the next level with some creative seasoning options:
- Trader Joe’s Everything Bagel Seasoning
- Curry powder
- Old Bay
- Aioli or other dipping sauces
Exploring Different Fry Shapes
Why stick to traditional straight-cut fries? Try these unique shapes and styles:
- Curly Fries: Invest in a curly fry cutter for a fun, springy shape.
- Shoestring Fries: Use a julienne peeler or mandoline to create thin, crunchy strands.
- Steak Fries: Cut your potatoes into hefty wedges for a fluffy, spudsy snack.
- Cottage Fries: Slice your potatoes into round medallions for a crispy, chewy treat.
- Home Fries: Whip up a batch of oiled-up potatoes for a breakfast twist.
- Oven Fries: Bake your potatoes for a healthier, grease-free option.
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