How to Cook French Fries in a Deep Fryer

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.

Prepare a container of cold clean water.

Wash, peel, and rinse the russet potatoes.

Cut the potatoes into uniform sticks, ensuring consistency in thickness.

Add the cut fries to the cold water to soak and prevent browning.

Cover the container and refrigerate the soaked potatoes for at least 30 minutes, up to 24 hours.

Drain and rinse the cut potatoes before laying them out on kitchen towels to dry thoroughly.

Set up the deep fryer on a rimmed baking sheet to contain mess.

Add vegetable oil to the fryer and heat to 325°F (163°C).

In a large bowl, add the dry fries and toss with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch for texture.

Carefully add the fries to the fryer basket, ensuring not to overcrowd.

Lower the basket into the 325°F oil and cover the fryer lid, frying for about 6 minutes (par frying).

Remove fries from the oil and let them rest for 10 minutes to 1 hour.

Increase the oil temperature to 375°F (191°C).

Re-add the fries to the fryer basket and check them every minute until they reach the desired color and crunch.

Remove fries when done, shake off excess oil, and drain on a wire rack.

Immediately sprinkle with salt and add fresh ground black pepper if desired.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary