fernanda martinez H2RzlOijhlQ unsplash fernanda martinez H2RzlOijhlQ unsplash scaled

How to Make the Perfect Homemade French Fries

“Fries before guys,” they say, and I agree. While french fries are considered a side dish, they are a divine meal that you can never have too much of. Only a true admirer of french fries would appreciate how satisfying it is to eat a platter full of them.

They’re crispy on the exterior, and soft and smooth on the inside. Everyone loves them since they’re so simple to prepare at home. French fries make for the perfect snack whether you’re craving something savory or just want them as a side dish.

Cajun French Fries Organic Ketchup
Image Source: depositphotos

Store-bought fries may not always be how you like your fries— but you can always make french fries to satisfy your craving. Through this article, we will discuss various recipes for fries. As well as talk about different ways to freeze, reheat, and serve these fries.

Steps to follow

Cutting the fries

cutting
By Simona Sergi/Unsplash.copyright.2022

When creating homemade fries, russet potatoes are the best choice. They’re quite starchy, resulting in a crispy exterior with a sensitive interior. Making them the perfect pick if you like your fries crispy.

You start by washing and peeling the potatoes. It is important to use a sharp peeler. If the potatoes are not properly peeled it can impact the taste.

The next step is to cut potatoes. Start by quartering potatoes lengthwise using a cutting board and a sharp knife. Then, cut potatoes into 1/4-inch thick sticks. To cut potatoes evenly and obtain thin fries, you can also use a french fry cutter, to cut french fries.

Soaking Potatoes

After cutting, the next step is to soak the potatoes. It’s what gives them their crispiness and flavor. Let your potatoes soak for at least an hour or up to 12 hours in a dish of icy cold water.

Then take it out of the cold water and dry it on paper towels. You may need to pat them down with a paper towel to ensure they are thoroughly dry. A good way to properly dry them is to use a paper towel-lined plate.

Cooking Method

There are three easy cooking methods through which you can make french fries at home.

Air fryer french fries

If you are air frying to make french fries, you can follow these easy steps to get the best fries.

  1. Place your potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. It’s important to make sure there is some space between each fry.
  2. Then air-fry the potatoes at 375°F for 13 minutes to get delicious homemade fries.
  3. You will have to air fry in multiple batches, so repeat these steps with the remaining potatoes.
  4. Lastly, add salt and pepper to taste and season your french fries.

Baked french fries

You can also go for healthy baked french fries at home by following some easy steps.

  1. The first step for baked fries is to reheat your oven to 375°F.
  2. Make sure to thoroughly dry your fries before you season them.
  3. Generously oil and season your fries.
  4. The next step is to spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet-lined dish.
  5. Lastly, you can do a two-temperature cook to get the best-baked fries. Cook for 20 mins at 375°F and then turn the heat up to 425°F to cook them for another 20 mins or until crisp.

Deep-fried french fries

If you don’t have an air fryer or an oven to make french fries, you can always go for deep frying your potatoes.

  1. Take 32 ounces or half a pot of peanut oil or canola oil in a deep pot and put it at medium-high heat.
  2. When the oil starts to get a little hot, place a single layer of potatoes in the pot.
  3. These potatoes should then be deep-fried for 15-20 mins.
  4. When the fries look golden brown, use a slotted spoon to take them out of the hot oil.
  5. You can place them on a paper towel-lined plate to help absorb the excess oil from the fries.

Season the fries

seasoning
By Anastasia Zhenina/Unsplash.copyright2022

When thinking about how to season your cooked potatoes there are a lot of options to go for. Some people simply go for salt and pepper on their fries.

While others enjoy different types of seasoning like onion powder, garlic powder, or chili powder. Ranch seasoning is also a popular pick with fries.

Tips to Remember

The kind of oil you use also impacts your health. A few good options include vegetable oil, peanut oil, or even extra virgin olive oil.

When going for oven-baked fries there are some things you should keep in mind. If you have thicker fries you need to use a different baking method than with thin fries.

Make sure you are baking potatoes for longer with thick-cut potato sticks to obtain crispy french fries. Another important thing to remember is to not overbake thin-cut fries as they might get burnt.

Another healthy tip is to place your fries on paper towels after frying them so that the excess oil and saturated fat can be absorbed into them.

If you like your fries crispy, russet potatoes are a great choice. Waxy potatoes on the other hand will not give you, as crispy fries as russet potatoes will. Yukon gold potatoes are a good pick if you like your fries to a creamy and tender texture.

Remember to arrange them in a single layer when cooking them. This will ensure that they don’t stick together and cook properly whether you are deep-frying, air frying, or baking when making french fries.

While russet potatoes could give you naturally crispy fries if you are using Yukon gold potatoes a good tip is to coat your fries with cornstarch before you fry them.

How to freeze french fries

Often you cut more potatoes or make more fries than you required. But a good thing is you can always freeze and save them for later. There are two ways through which you can freeze your remaining potatoes.

Refrigerate leftover fries in an airtight storage container for up to three days. Reheat, when you need them. You can also place the fries in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until completely firm. Frozen fries can be stored in an airtight freezer bag for up to 3 months.

Reheat from frozen when needed, adding about 3 minutes to the cooking time. Make sure they are golden brown for the best taste. The time it takes to bake frozen fries varies, so keep an eye on them.

How to reheat

You can reheat leftover fries with ease in various ways.

Reheat on the stovetop

With a tablespoon or two of oil in a non-stick pan, you can reheat for a few minutes over medium heat, then serve!

Reheating Baked Fries in the Oven

Baked fries can be reheated in the oven. On a foil-lined cookie sheet, spread them out in a single layer. In a preheated 400°F oven, bake for 5-10 minutes.

Reheating in the microwave

20-40 seconds of microwaving should be sufficient to reheat the fries. Although, this is less optimal because they may come out soft or mushy.

Ways to serve French fries

French fries are often seen as a side dish cuisine and are served with various dipping sauces. There can be various recipe variations when making homemade fries.

Garlic butter fries

Take 2 tablespoons of melted butter, 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh garlic, salt, pepper, and 2 teaspoons chopped parsley to make a delicious garlic butter dip.

You can mix this with your fries or use it as a dip when serving. If you enjoy the garlic flavor, you can also mix garlic powder in your fries as a seasoning.

Cheese fries

If you love cheese making cheese fries at home would never disappoint. This can be done through a few easy steps. Take your baked french fries and sprinkle them with freshly grated parmesan cheese when they are hot. You can add other toppings like minced garlic or other vegetables with the cheese as per your taste.

Baked steak fries

Baked steak fries are another popular type of baked french fries. You place your potato wedges on a baking sheet and bake them for 35 minutes or until crispy. You can then season the baked french fries with salt and pepper. The last and most important step is to add steak seasoning to give these oven fries a unique flavor.

Sweet potato baked fries

The first step to making baked sweet potato fries is to wash and peel the sweet potato before cutting them into sticks. Season the fries with salt, pepper, and cornstarch. After tossing the fries in peanut oil, they’re ready to go into the oven.

Bake them in a single layer on a baking sheet pan, flipping them halfway through to ensure that both sides are crispy. Serve them hot with a sprinkle of salt and pepper when they’re done.

How to make french fries healthier?

Deep-fried potatoes, in all forms whether fries, chips, or frites, are a popular guilty pleasure as they are extremely delicious. However, ordering from your favorite fast-food place isn’t the healthiest option: A medium fry contains between 300 and 400 calories as well as 500 mg of salt.

Fans of french fries, on the other hand, should know that making the fried favorite into a healthy side dish is easier than you may think. Use these simple strategies to produce tasty fries that have balanced nutrition calories and are guilt-free.

Instead of frying, bake

Traditional fries are cooked in a pot of vegetable oil, which means they have a lot of extra calories and fat. While baking your fries cuts down on calories, it’s still possible to use too much oil, which has 120 calories per tablespoon.

Measure out two teaspoons of heart-healthy olive oil before pouring it onto the potatoes and gently tossing it in a bowl. You can also fill a spray bottle halfway with olive oil and lightly sprinkle your fries instead. Simply spread the potatoes out on a baking sheet and bake for about 45 minutes at 400 degrees or until crispy.

Remove the oil from your diet

By going for oven fries, you’re saving calories and fat — but by eliminating oil, you can slim down your french fries even more.

Healthier alternatives to oil can be a few teaspoons of seasoned, whisked egg whites or veggie broth. Following the same recipe with these make sure that you flip the potatoes so that both sides are nicely golden-browned.

Leave the salt out

Anyone who has eaten salty fast-food fries has often experienced the unpleasant bloat that follows. While you can manage the sodium amount of your fries more easily at home, salt isn’t your sole flavoring option.

Instead, go for savory spices like fresh garlic, cumin, onion powder, and paprika which deliver a punch without adding excessive sodium. Even sweeter spices, such as cinnamon and nutmeg, go nicely with sweeter potatoes.

Go sweet

Sweet potato is higher in fiber and vitamin A than regular potatoes, and they have fewer calories. They also make wonderful, slightly sweet fries. Try this recipe for sweet potato fries – it’s a sweet swap you’ll want to stick with!

Try healthier options

A tasty fry is made up of more than just potatoes. Parsnips, turnips, and carrots are all tasty when fried. They have a texture that is surprisingly comparable to a traditional French fry for a fraction of the calories and a greater nutritional boost. Making this swap can give you a healthier snack.

Choose dips low on saturated fat

Ketchup is the traditional sauce for fries, but as wonderful as it is, it may be a hidden source of calories and sugar. Make it at home instead, to keep the sugar in check. you can even try new recipes and get creative with flavors.

Alternatively, combine ketchup and Greek yogurt to make a great dipping sauce that is low in sugar and high in protein. While making dips at home keep in mind their nutritional value.

 

Last Updated on by Namrata123

Author

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *