DIY French Fries: Secrets to Making Perfect Fries at Home

Craving golden, crispy fries that rival your favorite restaurant? You don’t need to go out  — master the art of homemade fries right in your kitchen! 

This blog will help you achieve that. From getting the perfect cut to the proven frying techniques for locking crispness, follow these steps to become the master chef and make premium and restaurant-worthy fries in your kitchen. 

Choosing the Right Potatoes

First, you need to choose the right kind of potato to make your fries the best. Opting for the right types of potatoes is the primary step in mastering homemade french fries. All potatoes don’t function the same when it comes to fries. Starchy and floury make the perfect fries. High in starch and low in moisture, Russets ensure the perfect golden crunch for the fries. 

Perfecting the French Fry Cut

Common Fry Cuts

The way you cut the potatoes determines the texture of the fries, their cooking time, and how you can pair them with the juicy burger. Here’s a quick guide:

• Shoestring: Thin and crispy—ideal for crunch lovers. 

 

• Steak fries: Thick-cut for a hearty bite.

 

• Crinkle-cut: These grooves add more surface area to the fries. It also increases the amount of crispiness and crunch on the outside and soft and tender inside.  

 

• Waffle fries: These fries maximize the surface area more than regular fries. Thanks to their unique size, you can enjoy seasoning them while dipping them in more sauces. And relish the flavorful crisp. 

Pro tip: New to cutting fries? Start with steak fries—they’re easier to handle and cook evenly.

How to Achieve Uniform Cuts

Cut your potatoes to a medium thickness. Too thick, and they won’t crisp. Too thin and you’ll lose that fluffy center. Don’t stress if your cuts aren’t perfect on the first try—practice makes perfect! Want precision and speed? Invest in a fry cutter. It guarantees uniform slices, ensuring even cooking and perfect texture at the same time. 

Now it’s time to prepare the cut potatoes for frying! 

How to Prepare Potatoes for Frying

Here comes the most crucial step towards preparing master chef-type fries. After cutting the potatoes, follow these steps:

1. Soak the fries in cold water for 30 minutes to remove excess starch (this ensures crispiness!). 
2. Next, boil them in water with vinegar and salt for 10 minutes—this locks in the crunch.
3. Remove the soaked potatoes from the water into a colander with the help of a spoon or a spider. 
4. Handle them with care and spread them out on a towel-covered tray to let them get dried for 5 minutes before frying. 

Ready to fry? Let’s talk about oil and temperature!

Frying Techniques for the Perfect Crisp

Follow these frying techniques and let the fry magic happen:

Choosing the Right Oil

The oil you use for frying is another essential step. So go for high-smoke-point oils— peanut, canola, or vegetable oil. Keep the oil temperature to 205°C/400°F. You can separate the fries into more than one batch at your convenience. If you can handle them in one batch, go for it, otherwise divide the fries. 

Double Frying Method

For the crispy exterior and tender interior of the French fries, it’s essential to let them cook using the double frying method. While the first fry ensures tenderness inside, the second assures the ultimate crispiness. 

• First Fry:  Cook at 400°F for 50 seconds to soften the inside. Cool on a paper towel for 30 minutes.
• Second Fry:  Heat oil again to 400°F. Fry until golden brown (around 4 

minutes) for that restaurant-level crunch.

Baking vs. Frying:

For a healthier twist, bake your fries! Toss them in a little oil, spread them on a tray, and bake at 425°F. Flip halfway for evenly crispy, guilt-free fries.

Flavoring Your Fries

Now the frying is done! Sprinkle salt and pepper as per taste. It’s a basic flavoring tip on the hot fries. This way the salt and pepper will stick to them. Now toss them. 

Seasoning for Extra Flavor

You’ve gotten a scope to get creative while flavoring your fries. Apart from salt, opt for these options:

• Garlic Powder:  Adds a smoky and savory delicious kick. 
• Paprika:  Makes your favorite fries vibrant with fruity notes and a toasty red color of paprika.
• Truffle Salt:  Adds an earthy garlic kind of flavor.

Toppings and Variations

Bored with the regular French fries? Please your taste buds by adding gourmet toppings like cheese, bacon, or herbs to the fries. Loaded fries are now becoming a crowd-pleaser, so don’t miss out on the fun 

Best Homemade Dips and Sauces for Fries

Fries without dips? Unthinkable! Sauces and dips are also the best plates on the table to experiment with. You can experiment with spicy cheese sauce or honey mustard.

• Sriracha mayo:  A fine blending of mayo, garlic, and an inch of salt while added with squeezed lemon juice, the perfect Sriracha mayo is ready to serve. 

 

• Garlic Aioli: Make a mixture of mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Then leave it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.

 

• Cheese Sauce:  Whisk flour and salt in melted butter in a saucepan over medium heat until they form a paste. Now add milk and keep stirring until they are fully incorporated. Then add cheese. And it’s ready! 

Pairing Your Fries with a Perfect Burger

Nothing pairs better with crispy fries than a juicy burger. The perfect duo balances crunch with savoriness. For example, steak fries partner best with classic burgers while shoestring fries create a beautiful harmony with gourmet burgers. Give those pairings a try! 

Looking for inspiration for your next burger-fries duo? Check out BurgerFi’s signature combos to elevate your experience. 

Ready To Make A Perfect Pairing? 

Homemade fries aren’t just a side—they’re an experience. With these tips, you’ll master the art of crispy, golden fries every time. So start frying!

If you aren’t ready to commit to making the perfect, crispy fries at home, head to your nearest BurgerFi. We offer the best combo of burgers and fries and keep experimenting with new tastes!