French Fried Potatoes Recipe

Russet potatoes: These are large, starchy potatoes that become crispy when fried and are perfect for making fries.

Vegetable oil: Used for frying, this oil has a high smoke point, which helps the potatoes cook evenly and get golden brown.

Salt: A simple seasoning that brings out the flavor of the fries.

One of the most important steps in making perfect French fried potatoes is soaking the potatoes in cold water before frying. Here’s how to do it right:

1. After you peel and cut your potatoes into strips, place them in a big bowl.
2. Fill the bowl with cold water until the potato strips are fully covered.
3. Let them sit there for at least 30 minutes. You can even leave them longer if you want.

Why do this? Soaking helps get rid of extra starch on the surface of the potatoes. If you skip this step, your fries might stick together or turn out gummy instead of crispy. The cold water also keeps the potatoes from turning brown while you wait to fry them.

When I first tried frying potatoes, I didn’t soak them, and my fries stuck in clumps and weren’t as crunchy as I wanted. After I started soaking, everything got better—the fries cooked more evenly and had that nice golden color. Plus, soaking makes frying less messy because the oil doesn’t bubble up as much from the starch.

If you’re short on time, even 30 minutes works great, but if you can soak them longer, like an hour or two, that’s even better. Just remember to dry the potatoes well with a clean towel before frying so the oil doesn’t splatter.

Soaking might seem like an extra step, but it really makes a difference in how your French fried potatoes turn out—crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and totally delicious.

• russet potatoes - Substitute with sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes offer a different flavor profile and are slightly healthier due to their higher vitamin content.

• russet potatoes - Substitute with yukon gold potatoes: Yukon gold potatoes have a buttery flavor and creamy texture that can make for a delicious variation of fries.

• vegetable oil - Substitute with canola oil: Canola oil has a high smoke point and neutral flavor, making it a good alternative for frying.

• vegetable oil - Substitute with peanut oil: Peanut oil also has a high smoke point and adds a subtle nutty flavor to the fries.

• salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can provide a more complex flavor and a slightly different texture.

• salt - Substitute with garlic salt: Garlic salt adds an extra layer of flavor, combining the saltiness with a hint of garlic.

• Allow the potatoes to cool completely after frying. This prevents condensation, which can make them soggy.
• Transfer the cooled potatoes to an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. For best results, use a vacuum sealer to remove as much air as possible.
• If you plan to freeze the potatoes, lay them out in a single layer on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer for about an hour. This flash-freezing step ensures they don't stick together.
• Once the potatoes are frozen solid, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date to keep track of freshness.
• When ready to reheat, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Spread the frozen potatoes on a baking sheet in a single layer.
• Bake for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through, until they are crispy and heated through.
• For a quicker option, you can also reheat the potatoes in an air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally.
• Season with additional salt or your favorite spices after reheating to enhance the flavor.

• Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Spread the leftover French fried potatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for about 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are crispy and heated through.

• Air Fryer Method: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place the French fried potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until they are hot and crispy.

• Stovetop Method: Heat a small amount of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the French fried potatoes in a single layer. Cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are heated through and crispy.

• Microwave Method: Place the French fried potatoes on a microwave-safe plate lined with a paper towel. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through. Note that this method may not retain the crispiness as well as other methods.

• Toaster Oven Method: Preheat your toaster oven to 400°F (200°C). Spread the French fried potatoes on the toaster oven tray in a single layer. Bake for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are crispy and hot.

• Peeler: Used to remove the skin from the potatoes.

• Knife: Essential for cutting the peeled potatoes into strips.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe and stable surface for cutting the potatoes.

• Large bowl: Used to soak the potato strips in cold water.

• Deep fryer: Heats the oil to the required temperature for frying the potatoes.

• Thermometer: Ensures the oil reaches and maintains the correct temperature of 350°F (175°C).

• Slotted spoon: Helps to remove the fried potatoes from the oil.

• Paper towels: Used to drain excess oil from the fried potatoes.

• Tongs: Handy for handling the hot potatoes safely.

• Salt shaker: Used to season the fried potatoes with salt.

Pre-cut potatoes: Peel and cut the potatoes in advance, then store them in water in the fridge to save time on prep.

Use a mandoline: A mandoline slicer can quickly and uniformly cut potatoes into strips, speeding up the process.

Double fry method: Fry the potatoes once at a lower temperature, let them cool, and then fry again at a higher temperature for a quicker final fry.

Preheat oil: Ensure the oil is preheated to the correct temperature before frying to reduce cooking time.

Season immediately: Sprinkle salt on the fries as soon as they come out of the fryer to save time and enhance flavor.