All the secrets of the perfect French fries

What you need to know before making fries

New potatoes are not suitable for this dish, as they are too watery. It is best to take ripe potatoes, and one in which there is little starch. Otherwise, after cooking, it will soften and not be crispy.
The number of potatoes can be calculated as follows: one large tuber per person. However, it is better to do a little more, it is unlikely that it will be superfluous.
The potatoes do not need to be peeled, it depends on your preference. Only unpeeled potatoes first need to be washed very thoroughly with a stiff brush.
The potatoes should be cut into long cubes 0.5–1 cm wide. You can also use a vegetable cutter or grater for this. Try to make even stripes so that the potatoes are fried evenly.

The sliced potatoes must first be soaked for at least 20 minutes so that excess starch comes out of them, and then dried by placing them on a paper towel.
An important role is played by the oil in which the potatoes are fried. Choose refined deodorized oil for a better taste.

How to cook fries on the stove

The most real fries are made when deep-fried. And the special secret of its crispy crust is in the double frying.

Heat oil in a deep saucepan or skillet to 160 ° C. Check the temperature with a special thermometer or white bread ball. Dip the crumb into a saucepan. If bubbles appear around it, then the oil has reached the required temperature.

Place the potatoes in the butter in one layer. If there are too many blocks, divide them into several pieces. The oil should completely cover the potatoes. Fry it for about 5 minutes. At this stage, it should soften from the inside, but practically not change the shade.

Use a slotted spoon to remove the potatoes and place them on a wire rack or paper towels folded several times. Leave it for at least half an hour, or better - for a few hours, so that excess fat drips off and the potatoes cool completely.

Heat the oil to 180-190 ° C. If you don't have a thermometer handy, place a piece of potato in the butter. When the required temperature is reached, the oil around it should sizzle and slightly bubble.

Place prepared potatoes in one layer and cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes. It can take a little longer if you want to get even more crispy pieces. Then dry the potatoes again as you did after the first roast.

You need to salt the fries after cooking, otherwise they will not crunch. It is better not to wait until it cools down, but to serve it still warm.

How to cook fries in the oven

First, in a large bowl, stir together the potatoes, a few tablespoons of oil, and salt to taste. And if you add some spices, then the dish will become even more flavorful.

Place the potatoes in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. If the pieces are on top of each other, they will not bake evenly. Place the baking sheet in an oven preheated to 220 ° C for 25 minutes. Then turn the potatoes over and bake for another 10 minutes, until they are crispy and golden brown.

How to cook fries in a slow cooker

Turn on the multicooker in Bake, Fry, or Multi Cook mode, depending on the model. Pour the oil into the bowl. The ratio of potatoes to butter should be 1: 4, otherwise you will end up with just fried potatoes. After a couple of minutes, when the oil is hot, add the potatoes and cook for 8-10 minutes.

French fries in a slow cooker are fried twice, as on the stove. After one roast, of course, it will be delicious, but it will not be covered with the desired crispy crust. Take out the potatoes, dry them, let them cool slightly and put them in the multicooker for another 2 minutes.

It is also necessary to salt such potatoes after cooking so that they do not soften.

How to cook fries in the microwave

Arrange the potatoes on a platter so that the pieces do not touch each other. Drizzle with a little oil and sprinkle with salt and spices to taste.

Microwave the potatoes at full power for 3 minutes, then turn them over and cook for another 3-6 minutes, until they are golden brown. Just do not overdry the potatoes, otherwise they will be tough.

Bonus: recipe for fries in batter

Ingredients

1 cup flour
1 teaspoon of garlic salt
1 teaspoon of onion powder or 1 tablespoon of chopped onions
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon paprika;
1 pinch cayenne pepper
¼ a glass of water;
900 g potatoes;
½ cup butter.

Preparation

Combine flour and spices. Add water and stir well. If the batter is too thick, add a little more water.

Dip the prepared potatoes in batter and place one piece at a time in the heated oil. If you put a handful at once, the sticks may stick together. Broil for about 10 minutes, until the potatoes are soft on the inside and golden crispy on the outside.

Then place the cooked potatoes on a paper towel to drain off excess fat. Serve hot with your favorite sauce.