Classic Homemade French Fries: A Crispy Delight
There’s nothing quite like a batch of fresh, homemade French fries — crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside. This classic recipe for homemade French fries is perfect for a family snack, a side dish at your next barbecue, or just whenever you feel the urge for some comfort food. Here’s how to make these delicious fries, along with a few tips to ensure they come out perfectly every time.
Ingredients
- 10 large russet potatoes, peeled and rinsed
- 2 quarts vegetable oil, can substitute with canola oil
- Salt, for seasoning
Directions
- Prepare the Potatoes:
- Slice the potatoes into ½ inch thick sticks. For uniformity, using a French fry cutter is highly recommended.
- Soak the Potatoes:
- Soak the sliced potatoes in cold water for at least one hour, or overnight. This step is crucial as it removes excess starch, which is key to achieving that desirable crispy texture.
- Rinse and Dry:
- Rinse the potato sticks twice with cold water and then dry them thoroughly using paper towels or a clean kitchen towel.
- First Fry:
- Heat the oil in a deep fryer or a large Dutch oven to 300° F. Fry the potatoes in batches to avoid overcrowding, which can reduce crispiness. Each batch should cook for 5-6 minutes at 300° F until just cooked but not browned.
- Second Fry:
- Increase the heat to 400° F and re-fry each batch until golden brown and crispy, about 5 minutes.
- Season and Serve:
- Remove the fries and drain on paper towels. Season with salt immediately and serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
Nutritional Information
- Calories: 290 per serving
- Servings: 6
Prep & Cooking Time
- Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Tips for Perfect French Fries
- Consistent Cut: Ensure your potato sticks are uniformly cut to promote even cooking.
- Double Fry Technique: This technique of frying the potatoes twice, first at a lower temperature, then at a higher temperature, is the secret to achieving fries that are soft inside and crispy on the outside.
- Proper Drying: Make sure the potatoes are thoroughly dried after rinsing to prevent splattering and to help achieve a better crisp.
Homemade French fries are a simple pleasure that are worth the effort. Perfect as a side dish or just by themselves with a tangy dipping sauce, these fries will be a hit whatever the occasion. Happy frying!
Classic Homemade French Fries
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
There’s something undeniably comforting about a plate of hot, crispy French fries. This timeless snack, often relegated to the side dish category, deserves a spotlight of its own. Made from scratch with russet potatoes, these fries aren’t just golden; they’re a golden opportunity to elevate your home cooking. Whether it’s a casual family dinner or a friendly get-together, these fries promise to be a hit.
Crafting the perfect French fry is an art that involves more than just slicing and frying potatoes. It’s about patience—soaking them long enough to shed the starch, drying them meticulously, and mastering the double-fry technique for that ultimate crispy exterior and fluffy interior. Serve them up with a classic ketchup or your favorite gourmet dipping sauce, and watch them disappear faster than you can make them.
Ingredients
10 large russet potatoes, peeled and rinsed
2 quarts vegetable oil, can substitute with canola oil
Salt for seasoning
Instructions
Slice the potatoes into ½ inch thick sticks. Using a French fry cutter is highly recommended for uniformity.
Soak the sliced potatoes in cold water for at least one hour, or overnight, to remove excess starch, which aids in achieving a crispy texture.
Rinse the potato sticks twice with cold water and then dry them thoroughly using paper towels or a clean kitchen towel.
Heat the oil in a deep fryer or Dutch oven to 300° F. Fry the potatoes in batches to avoid overcrowding, which reduces crispiness.
Fry each batch for 5-6 minutes at 300° F until they are just cooked but not browned.
Increase the heat to 400° F and re-fry each batch until golden brown and crispy, about 5 minutes.
Remove the fries and drain on paper towels. Season with salt immediately and serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 290 kcal