Last Updated on January 5, 2024 by Carne Diem
Sides, Appetizers and Sharables
Jump to RecipeThese homemade French Fries come out perfectly crispy every time. These double fried fries are a great appetizer or side for you burgers or BBQ.
A few years ago we learned the secret to cooking perfectly crispy French fries, every time. No more sad, soggy fries here. From this basic fry recipe the possibilities are endless. Truffle fries, poutine, lomo saltado: they work perfectly with any dish. We know they are not the healthiest food around, but hey we are not a health food blog! This may be the best crispy French Fry recipe you have ever tried.
Table of contents
Making Always Crispy French Fries
Preparing the Potatoes for the crispy homemade fries
What potatoes are best for crispy French Fries?
When it comes to French fries, Idaho potatoes such as russet work best. They are denser and lower in moisture, with is key to making a nice crispy fry.
Cut the fries
To prepare the homemade French fries, first peel the potatoes, if desired. We don't mind having some potato skin on our homemade fries so we typically peel half and leave half unpeeled, but the choice is completely up to you. Next, cut the potatoes into ½ inch thick sticks. This can be done by hand or with a mandolin. We are in love with our Swissmar Mandolin, but always take extra care when using a mandolin.
Soak the potatoes for the homemade fries
Once the French fries are cut, place the fries in a large bowl of ice water and soak for at least 30 minutes or overnight. This helps remove some of the starch from the potatoes, which again helps to get a perfectly crispy French fry.
After the potatoes have completed their ice bath, rinse the fries well under cold water until the water runs clear. Place on a plate and pat dry to remove excess moisture.
Cooking the Crispy French Fries
Heat your oil to 280 degrees and cook the fries in batches to avoid overcrowding. Cook for 6-8 minutes until soft and translucent. Remove the French fries from the oil and place on a baking sheet for at least 15 minutes to cool.
Next, increase the heat of the oil to 375 degrees. When the oil has reached temp, fry the potatoes a second time for 2-3 minutes until crispy and golden. Again work in batches to avoid overcrowding. These Double Fried French Fries will always come out perfectly crisp.
Shake off excess oil and place the crispy homemade fries in a large bowl lined with a towel. Generously season with salt, cover with the towel, and shake to combine. At this point you can also add things like Cajun seasoning or truffle salt to spiff up your French fries.
These always crispy fries make the prefect accompaniment to your burgers, chicken fingers, or are a match made in heaven with our beer battered cod as part of a fish and chips dinner. Also feel free to just eat a plate of them with some ketchup, we won't judge. Looking for a homemade ketchup recipe to go with the fries? Check out our Sausage Sizzle and homemade ketchup recipe.
Looking for more great potato recipes. Check out some of our favorites from around the world:
- Smoked Au Gratin Potatoes
- Smoked Jalapeno Twice Baked Potatoes
- Fried Mashed Potato Cakes with Herbes de Provence Butter
- Peruvian Papas a la Huancaina
- Pub Style Irish Nachos
Frequently Asked Questions
The secret to the best homemade French fries that are always perfectly crispy? Double frying the fries. Remove the starch from the fries by soaking the potatoes then fry at a lower temperature. Finish the perfectly crispy fries by then frying again at a higher heat.
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📖 Recipe
Always Crispy French Fries
Equipment
- Deep fryer or deep pan or pot for frying
Ingredients
- 4 Large Idaho Potatoes
- 2 quarts Peanut Oil for frying
- Coarse Salt
Instructions
- Peel the potatoes, if desired, then cut into ½ inch thick sticks. This can be done by hand or with a mandolin.
- Place the fries in a large bowl of ice water and soak for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
- Rinse the fries well under cold water and place on a plate. Pat dry to remove excess moisture.
- Heat your oil to 280 degrees and cook the fries in batches to avoid overcrowding. Cook for 6-8 minutes until soft and translucent. Remove the fries from the oil and place on a baking sheet for at least 15 minutes.
- Increase the heat of the oil to 375 degrees. Fry the potatoes a second time for 2-3 minutes until crispy and golden. Shake off excess oil and place the fries in a large bowl lined with a towel. Generously season with salt, cover with the towel and shake to combine.
Albertina
I just made French fries many times but it get spongy and soft after sometime. I tried your recipe exactly as it is written and it turned out amazing. Your French fries are very crispy and it doesn't get soft. Thank you for sharing.
Carne Diem
Thank you so much for trying the recipe and sharing your thoughts!
Stephanie
Followed the recipe exactly and turned out perfect. Made them along with the beer battered cod and it was a great meal. Thanks!
Carne Diem
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