How to make Pommes Frites (French Fries)

potatoes

🥗Healthier: sweet potatoes

💰Cheaper: frozen fries

Sweet potatoes are more nutritious; frozen fries are budget-friendly.

vegetable oil

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Olive oil is healthier; canola oil is often cheaper.

Peel the russet potatoes and place them into cold water as you go.

Cut a bit off one side of each potato to prevent slipping.

Cut the potatoes into pieces about 3/8 of an inch wide, then lay the pieces flat and cut into strips about 3/8 of an inch wide.

Place the cut potatoes into cold water to prevent browning and rinse off excess starch and surface sugars.

Attach a thermometer to a large heavy-bottomed pot, ensuring it doesn't touch the bottom for an accurate reading.

Pour enough vegetable oil into the pot to reach about 2 inches high.

Heat the oil over medium to medium-high heat until it reaches between 300 to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (150 to 170 degrees Celsius).

Set up a baking tray with paper towels or a clean kitchen cloth for draining the fries.

Dry a handful of potatoes with a clean cloth to prevent splattering when they hit the oil.

Place the dried potatoes onto a spider and gently lower them into the oil to blanch for about 1.5 to 2 minutes until softened slightly, ensuring they do not turn golden.

Remove the blanched potatoes from the oil and place them onto the baking tray.

Continue to blanch the potatoes in batches, making sure the oil returns to the proper temperature each time before adding more.

Chill the blanched potatoes in the refrigerator for at least an hour to ensure they are nice and cold, which allows them to brown better when fried again.

Once chilled, heat the oil to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).

Gather a large stainless steel bowl for the final frying.

Place a handful of potatoes onto the spider and fry for the second time until crisp and golden, which can take anywhere from 1.5 to 5 minutes depending on thickness.

Remove the golden fries from the oil and place them into the bowl.

Season the fries with salt while they are hot to ensure the seasoning sticks, then toss them and serve immediately.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary