what temp should fries be cooked at

These Homemade French Fries are SO much better than what you can get at a restaurant! The secret is to make double fried french fries cooked at two temperatures, which gives you perfect crispy edges and a fluffy interior.

Even though you can get french fries anywhere and everywhere, I only eat them when they’ve been made at home. Once I started learning about how unhealthy the frying oils used by restaurants and fast food places are (listen to episodes 12 and 13 of my podcast if you want to learn more), I began making them myself, and have experimented quite a bit with french fries.

This method and recipe never fails to give me crispy french fries that aren’t greasy. Plus, they taste far superior to your average fry. Oven fries will never compare to the real thing.

Heat 3 to 4 inches oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Use a thermometer to ensure the temperature is correct: 325 degrees for French fries, 375 degrees for shoestring and basket-weave fries. Carefully add potatoes to oil in small batches so as not to lower the temperature of the oil.

What’s the best kind of potato to use?

Russet is my recommendation for french fries. This is a starchy, not waxy, potato. It will give us the texture we want, with a fluffy interior and a crisp exterior. I also use this potato for Homemade Pierogies, Hash Browns, and mashed potato dishes like Shepherd’s Pie and Potato Croquettes.

Why This Recipe Is the Best

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.

Not greasy – Most fries are greasy because of the oil that’s used. It’s far superior to use a stable fat like beef tallow that can tolerate high heat frying, over oils like soybean oil and canola oil. We’ll also cook at the proper temperatures to avoid greasy fries.

Simple – We’ll only work with 3 ingredients here: potatoes, beef tallow, and salt, and we’ll fry them in one pan.

More delicious and healthier than the restaurant – The oils that restaurants use are typically highly oxidized and rancid, and they use cheap inflammatory, tasteless oils like vegetable oil. Beef tallow, duck fat, and lard are much better suited to high heat frying. Plus, they have incredible flavor!

The Best Way To Make French Fries At Home (Restaurant-Quality) | Epicurious 101

FAQ

What temperature should fries be held at?

Should fries be low or high heat?

What temperature and time to fry?

What is a good frying temperature?

Should fries be fried at a lower temperature?

Cooking the fries once at a lower temperature than again at a higher temperature creates the ultimate inner and outer texture, whether the fries are deep fried or oven baked. While the potatoes soak in very hot water, they cook just enough to ensure the insides become nice and tender, while the outsides crisp but do not burn.

Are sweet potato fries better than regular fries?

Sweet potato fries are very similar to regular fries. Both are not the healthiest option to choose from. They are fried, and potatoes are high in carbohydrates.

What temperature should fried food be cooked at?

Never overcrowd the pan, which can cause the oil temperature to drop too low. Low oil temps not only take longer to cook, but they can also make your fried food taste soggy. Let the oil come all the way back up to temp before adding the next batch. 130 °F, until the flesh is white, opaque and firm.

How long do you cook fried fries at 450?

Bake at 450 degrees F for 15 to 20 minutes. Use a spatula to flip the fries, and move them into a single layer. Bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until the exterior is golden brown and as crispy as you like. Sprinkle with some extra salt to taste. DIG IN! Are Baked Fries Healthy?