This easy stovetop classic, Homemade French Fries Recipe, is made with three ingredients and makes the best, crispy fries ever.
Easy Homemade French Fries Recipe
It really isn’t difficult to make delicious, crispy homemade french fries if you know how.
It only takes a few simple ingredients and not too much time on your part. They’re better than takeout, for sure.
But what I like about this recipe is that you control how much salt and/or spice (if any) that goes onto your fries. Which makes it a plus for those who are watching their fat and salt intake.
My Secret Tips for Crispy French Fries
If you want really crispy french fries, be sure to follow these secret tips:
- Don’t crowd the pan.
- Use fresh potatoes.
- Use either vegetable, canola or peanut oil.
- Maintain the temperature of the oil at 350 degrees F.
- Fry twice for really crispy fries.
- Remove oil after frying by patting the fries dry with paper towels.
- Allow fries to finish cooling on cooling rack.
- Lightly sprinkle salt after frying.
Cooking Tip: When frying your potatoes use a thick-sided pot, deep fryer, or air fryer.
To Make:
First, start with two Russet potatoes cut and and sliced lengthwise into long sticks. You can opt to peel your potatoes or not, depending upon your preference.
I use the stove-top method to make french fries, although you can certainly use a deep fryer or even Air Fry them.
But for this recipe, you will need 2 cups of vegetable oil (or more if needed) heated in a thick sided sauce pan to 350 degrees F.
Be sure to use a digital thermometer to regulate the temperature.
Carefully, add the potato sticks in handfuls and don’t crowd the pot.
Fry in the hot oil for approximately 10 minutes until golden brown. Remove using a cooking spider or slotted spoon and place the fries on a plate covered with paper toweling.
Carefully blot with another sheet of paper toweling, then transfer the fries to a baking rack.
Cooking Tip: Place your baking rack over a baking sheet that has been wrapped in aluminum foil. This will make for easy cleanup.
Repeat same process for a second fry. This will make the fries nice and crispy. Finally, sprinkle them with a light dusting of salt and serve hot. Enjoy!
Recipe Variations
You don’t have to limit yourself to Russet potatoes when making homemade french fries. Instead, give these delicious options a try:
- sweet potatoes
- purple potatoes
- vegetable fries
- red potatoes
How to Make “Loaded Fries”
To make “loaded” fries, you can top your french fries with one or more of the following (non-exhaustive list):
- sour cream
- chopped bacon
- chopped green onions
- queso
- salsa
- shredded cheese
- sriracha
- creamy ranch dressing
- ketchup
- mustard
- gravy
- jalapeños
- aioli
What to Serve with French Fries
French fries are delicious alone or with a variety of grilled and roasted meats, as well as loaded with your favorite sides. (See Above) And, of course, french fries go well with many types and kinds of beverages, too.
Here are just two ways to enjoy these amazing french fries:
• Easy Canadian Poutine Fries
• Fish and Fries
Homemade French Fries
Ingredients
- 2 lbs russet potatoes
- 2 cups vegetable oil approx. more if needed
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
Instructions
For the Potatoes
- Wash, slice lengthwise and then divide each slice into thin strips. Place these potato strips in a bowl of cool water to keep the potatoes from browning. Set aside.
For the Oil
- Using a medium sauce pan, fill with approximately 2 cups of oil or at least 1/4 filled. Set the heat to Medium High heat to a temperature of 350 degrees F. Use a digital thermometer to check the temperature.
- Once the oil has reached this temperature, you are ready to fry the potatoes.
To Make French Fries
- Drain the water from the bowl of potatoes and blot the potatoes dry with a towel. Keep them covered until ready to fry.
- Next, use a cooking spider or slotted spoon to carefully lower about 1 cup of sliced potatoes into the hot oil.
- Make sure that the oil comes back up to temp at 350 degrees F. You may have to increase the heat on the burner, but only do so incrementally.
- Once the oil is at temp, keep an eye on the thermometer, so that the oil remains as best as possible at 350 degrees. F.
- If it gets too hot, you can turn the burner down incrementally.
- The potatoes should turn golden brown in about 10 minutes or so. When they do, remove them from the hot oil and allow the fries to cool on a baking rack that has a baking sheet under it to catch any excess oil. You can line this baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
- Then, continue the process of frying the potatoes until all are finished and golden brown. (See Note below)
- Second fry the potatoes once more and repeat the process until all the fries are nice and crispy.
- Sprinkle lightly with sea salt or your favorite seasoning mix. Serve. Enjoy!
Notes
- sour cream
- chopped bacon
- chopped green onions
- queso
- salsa
- shredded cheese
- sriracha
- creamy ranch dressing
- ketchup
- mustard
- gravy
- jalapeños
- aioli
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