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Perfect Crispy French fries

Perfect Crispy French Fries

Enjoy the ultimate homemade crispy French fries that stay delicious for 15 minutes, based on Kenji López-Alt's groundbreaking recipe.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Cooling Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course side
Cuisine Western
Servings 4 servings

Equipment

  • large pot
  • colander
  • Slotted spoon
  • Tea towels
  • Knife

Ingredients
  

Potatoes

  • 1 kg floury potatoes US: Russet/Idaho, UK: Maris Piper, King Edward

Vinegar & Salt

  • 2 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon cooking salt / kosher salt

Oil

  • 1 litre canola/vegetable oil

Seasoning (choose)

  • Salt table salt or sea salt flakes
  • Shaker fries seasoning
  • Rosemary salt
  • Nori salt coming soon

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Peel the potatoes. Cut into 6 mm / ¼" French fries using a serrated knife.
  • Keep cut fries submerged in a bowl of water to prevent them from going brown while you cut the remainder.
  • Transfer potatoes to a colander and rinse under tap water for 15 - 20 seconds.
  • Place fries in a large pot with 2 litres/quarts of cold tap water, vinegar and salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then immediately reduce stove to low.
  • Cook for 10 minutes then carefully remove using a slotted spoon into a colander.
  • Spread the fries on 2 tea towel lined trays. Leave to steam dry for 5 minutes.
  • Pour 3 cm / 1.2" of oil in a pot that is at least 10cm/4" high.
  • Separate the fries into 3 Batches.

Frying

  • Heat oil to 205°C/400°F over medium high heat.
  • Lower ⅓ of Batch 1 fries into the oil using a slotted spoon. WAIT 10 seconds, add another ⅓ of the fries, wait 10 seconds, then add the remaining Batch 1 fries.
  • Fry for 50 seconds, moving them around once or twice. Then remove with a slotted spoon onto 2 paper towel lined trays.
  • Repeat Fry #1 with Batches 2 and 3, ensuring the oil is back at 205°C/400°F before cooking.

Cooling & Second Fry

  • Leave fries to cool for 30 minutes.
  • Line a large bowl with paper towels for draining and tossing.
  • Heat oil to 205°C/400°F. Fry half the French fries for 4 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
  • Drain in the lined bowl, then repeat with remaining fries.

Serving

  • Sprinkle fries with salt or seasoning of choice. Toss and serve!
  • Fries will stay crispy even once cool.

Notes

Floury/starchy potatoes make crispy fries with fluffy insides. Waxy potatoes won't be as crispy. Re-use oil 3 to 4 times. Freezes 100% perfectly!

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving
Keyword best French fries, crispy fries, french fries, homemade chips
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