FAQs
Since the 1960s, most french fries in the US have been produced from frozen Russet potatoes which have been blanched or at least air-dried industrially. The usual fat for making french fries is vegetable oil.
Can you use any potato for fries? ›
High starch potatoes like Idaho potatoes (also called Russet potatoes) are best for French fries. This variety is denser and they have the least amount of moisture in them. Avoid waxy potatoes, a category that includes any with red skin, new potatoes, and fingerling potatoes.
Does McDonald's use real potatoes for their french fries? ›
Yep. The most common potatoes we use for McDonald's fries include the Russet Burbank, Russet Ranger, Umatilla Russet and the Shepody—varieties known for producing a flavorful fry that's crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
What happens if I don't soak potatoes before frying? ›
Soaking potatoes in water helps remove excess starch. Excess starch can inhibit the potatoes from cooking evenly as well as creating a gummy or sticky texture on the outside of your potatoes.
How long should you soak potatoes for fries? ›
In our homemade french fries recipe, we suggest soaking your potatoes for at least 15 minutes, but if you'd like to do this step ahead of time, they can soak overnight. Avoid excess water on the potatoes: make sure to pat them dry after removing them from the water bath otherwise you'll end up with limp fries.
What potato is best for homemade fries? ›
And the clear winners are Idaho or russet potatoes.
These potatoes are dense and have less moisture, which is key to avoiding soggy fries. You can also use Yukon gold potatoes, which are an all-purpose potato that can be used for frying. You should avoid waxy potatoes like red-skinned, new, or fingerling potatoes.
Why are my homemade fries not crispy? ›
Double Fry Method = Crisp exterior, fluffy interior – If you want the best homemade french fries, you really need to cook them twice. First at a lower temperature to make the interior soft like a baked potato, then a second time at a higher temperature to crisp the edges.
Which three 3 types of potatoes that make good french fries? ›
Russet potatoes make an ideal potato for french fries due to their high starch content. Other examples of starchy potatoes include Yukon gold and Kennebec, both of which make beautiful fries too (especially Kennebec, from my experience).
Are Burger King fries real potatoes? ›
The secret is a potato-based batter that is sprayed on the freshly sliced potatoes before they are frozen. The fried coating holds the heat in. Burger King fries are a fried potato product, like a potato tempura or a fritter. The coating gives the fries an odd sort of crunch.
Why do McDonald's fries taste so good? ›
When our suppliers partially fry our cut potatoes, they use an oil blend that contains beef flavoring. This ensures the great-tasting and recognizable flavor we all love from our World Famous Fries®. The Fries are cooked in our kitchens, seasoned with salt, and served hot to you. Still curious?
Crispy potatoes fried in 100% canola oil and sprinkled with our house seasoning blend. Certain Little Blue Menu items are made to order and may take longer than other menu items. Nutrition information is calculated using standard product formulations and incorporates multiple data sources.
Why add vinegar in water for french fries? ›
When a small amount of vinegar is added to the soaking water before frying, it can help impart a tangy flavor to the fries without making them taste overly vinegary. The acid in the vinegar can also help to slightly break down the surface of the potatoes, aiding in the development of a crispier texture during frying.
What is the best oil to cook french fries in? ›
Long accepted as a standard deep frying oil because of its neutrality, high smoke point, and ready availability (on the bottom oil shelf of most grocery stores), peanut oil is the choice of home fryers as well as chains such as Five Guys Burgers and Fries.
Why put potato fries in ice water? ›
Make sure that you soak the potatoes for at least 2-3 hours. Soaking the sliced potatoes in cold water is one of the main steps to prepare perfect French Fries. The cold water removes the starch present outside the potatoes so that you get perfectly crispy fries.
Are KFC fries real potatoes? ›
Seasoned French Fries Potatoes, Canola oil, Modified corn starch, Rice flour, Salt, Tapioca dextrin, Wheat flour, Sodium phosphate, Baking soda, Guar gum, Xanthan gum, Dextrose. Cooked in: Canola oil (Dimethylpolysiloxane (Antifoaming agent), TBHQ).
What fries are not made from potatoes? ›
But fries don't have to be synonymous with potatoes. In fact, you can easily turn just about any vegetable into fries that are crunchy and delicious. In this list, we've got eggplant, Jicama, carrots, beets and parsnip recipes that make snacking even healthier.
Can vegetarians eat McDonald's fries? ›
While they may possibly be suitable for vegetarians, therefore, the chips are certainly not vegan. The fact that the fries contain the beef flavoring isn't widely known, and may come as a shock to some customers. In April 2023, a TikTok user named Jordan created a video on the subject, which went viral.