How to Make French Fries Without a Deep Fryer

French fries are one of the tastiest snacks. Most french fry lovers when trying to find deep-frying alternatives, end up with their fries either too soggy or too crunchy. But, I have carefully carved out and found some slick methods that can teach you how to make French Fries without a deep fryer.

There is a secret TIP too!

How To Make French Fries Without A Deep Fryer

It may seem odd to get your fries not out of a deep fryer. But yes, it is possible. With my method, you will not have to compromise on the taste at all!

Remember, when you opt to make French fries without a deep fryer, you are also choosing a healthier option.

Ingredients

• 4-5 large potatoes
• 2-3 quarts of vegetable oil
• Salt and pepper
• Seasoning (optional) for taste
• Dip or ketchup to serve with

Step #1: Peeling and Cutting Potatoes

After washing the potatoes, peel them well, removing the outer skin completely. Some people like the skin on the fries, so it’s optional to peel it.

Next, you have to slice the potatoes. Cut them into 1 cm thick slices at first. If you are very particular about the shape, you can cut the potato from the top and bottom bases to getter more even slices.

Now you cut them into perfect rectangle shapes. Note that the width of those sticks should be 1 cm. If you want to skip the cutting part, purchase the best french fry cutter for your potatoes.

Step #2: Soaking Potatoes Before Frying

If you want to make the best French fries at home, soaking the potato sticks in cold water is a must.

Do this for at least 30-45 minutes before frying them. This removes the extra starch from the potato; hence, the fries become crispy when fried. If you want your homemade fries extra-crisp, soak them in saltwater instead.

After 30 minutes, it is time to drain out all the water. Rewash the potatoes under running water. Now take a big cotton napkin and spread the potato sticks over it. Fold it and dry the sticks completely.

Step #3: Frying The Sticks (First Time)

Frying these sticks twice will give you restaurant-like potatoes at home. That’s the trick! Please take a little oil in a pan or a wok and let it heat. The temperature should be around 403-408 degrees Fahrenheit.

Now, add a few sticks into the oil. I say a few because overcrowding won’t result in a good end product. Keep a medium or a low flame as you have to fry them twice.

Let the potatoes fry at a low flame. Keep stirring them at intervals to obtain a uniformly cooked result. Let them fry for at least 3-4 minutes. Make sure that you take the potatoes out before they get brown from the outside. Take them out when they develop a slight translucent crust.

Take 2-3 paper towels and place the half-fried potatoes over one of them. These paper towels are meant to absorb the extra oil. Repeat the same procedure till all the sticks are half fried.

Step #4: Frying the Half-fried Sticks (Second Time)

When frying for the second time, make sure that you have a medium or high flame. Now add the half-fried potato sticks into the hot oil. Remember, you cannot overcrowd the pan.

Keep stirring them at regular intervals as you don’t want them to get overcooked. Let them fry till they turn slightly golden and crispy. Check whether the edges are turning golden or not.

When that happens, take the sticks out with a slotted spoon. Repeat the same procedure for the rest of the lot.

At last, place the newly-fried sticks on a paper towel. This paper towel will absorb all the extra oil. When most of the oil is absorbed, your crispy homemade French fries are almost ready. Let’s add some seasoning!

Step #5: Serving and Seasoning the French Fries

You can’t go wrong serving french fries with ketchup – they go hand-in-hand. It’s become such a popular condiment that brands have even started creating variations of it, such as truffle-flavored ketchup, balsamic ketchup, and even ketchup that’s keto-friendly.

You can also serve fries with other types of sauces or dips that you prefer, like salsa.

After the double frying is complete, the next step is to add salt and some seasoning to the French fries. There are a variety of herbs and spices that you can add according to your preference and taste.

When the fries are still hot, put them in a bowl. Sprinkling salt is a must; you can choose to sprinkle paprika, chili flakes, or dried herbs. Shake the bowl so that the seasoning gets mixed well. Peri-Peri Spice is also a satiating option.

Serve these French fries in a bowl or a basket, whichever is convenient. In a mini bowl, add some dip, chutney, or sauce of your choice.

Learn some secret pointers about double frying in this post.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Should I Fry The Potato Sticks Twice?

The first round of frying is meant for the potatoes to get cooked properly. As soon as the potatoes cool after frying for the first time, fry them for the second time. The second round of frying is to make sure that the fries turn out crispy.

When Do My Fries Become Soggy?

There are two reasons for French fries being soggy. First, you may not have soaked the potato sticks in water before frying them. Second, the oil in your pan may not be hot enough for the fries to be cooked properly.

Here is a little video guide for cooking French fries at home.

Conclusion

Cooking French fries at home without a deep fryer is easy only if you know the correct procedure. To make your fries crispy, you have to fry them twice. That’s it! Don’t forget to add your favorite seasoning to the fries to make them delicious.

Enjoy!