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Perfect Crispy French Fries Recipe

4.9 from 123 reviews

Classic homemade French fries made from Maris Piper or King Edward potatoes, double-fried to achieve a perfectly crispy exterior and fluffy interior. This recipe involves soaking the potato batons to remove excess starch, then frying them twice at different temperatures for the ideal texture and golden color.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients

  • 1 kg Maris Piper or King Edward potatoes
  • Vegetable oil, for deep frying
  • Sea salt, to season

Instructions

  1. Prepare the potatoes: Peel the potatoes and cut them into 1 cm-thick batons. Place the cut potatoes into a bowl of cold water and soak for at least 2 hours. This soaking step removes excess starch, which helps the fries become crispier during frying.
  2. Dry the potatoes: After soaking, drain the potatoes thoroughly and pat them dry with kitchen paper to remove any surface water. This prevents oil splatters and ensures even frying.
  3. First fry (blanching): Fill a deep pan no more than one-third full with vegetable oil and heat it to 140°C (284°F), or until a cube of bread dropped into the oil browns in about 60 seconds. Fry the potato batons in batches for 6 minutes per batch. The fries should be cooked through, golden straw-colored, and lightly crisp at this stage. Drain the fries well on kitchen paper.
  4. Increase oil temperature: Turn the heat up to 180°C (356°F), or until a cube of bread browns in about 30 seconds. This higher temperature will give the fries their final crispness.
  5. Second fry (crisping): Fry the potatoes again in batches for 2 to 3 minutes until they are lightly golden and very crisp. Drain the fries on kitchen paper immediately to remove excess oil.
  6. Season and serve: While still hot, season the fries generously with sea salt to taste. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.

Notes

  • Soaking the potatoes for at least 2 hours is crucial to remove starch and achieve the perfect crisp.
  • Make sure the potatoes are completely dry before frying to avoid dangerous oil splatters.
  • Use a thermometer or bread cube test to gauge oil temperature accurately.
  • Double frying at two different temperatures ensures crispy fries that are cooked through inside.
  • You can keep fries warm in a low oven if frying multiple batches before serving.

Keywords: French fries, homemade fries, crispy fries, double-fried fries, potato fries, deep-fried potatoes