Homemade French Fries
Difficulty: 2/10
Russet potatoes are ideal. Since they’re dense, they don’t contain as much water inside, which allows them to get extra crispy.
How Many Potatoes Do You Need?
It takes way more potatoes than you think to make French fries. Calculate about 2 large Russet potatoes per person.
Why Soak Potatoes for French Fries?
Soaking potatoes in cold water helps remove starch. Starch makes things crumbly and soft, and we want our fries to be sturdy and crisp. Soak them for at least one hour, or overnight. The longer you can soak them, the better. Store them in the fridge while they soak.
Why Double Fry?
Frying potatoes twice is the best way to obtain the crispiest result.
Equipment
We recommend using our Heavy Duty French Fry Cutter, stainless steel mixing bowl, cutting board, and a paring and/or Chef's knife.
Ingredients
- 2 Large Russet Potatoes Per Person
Steps
- Slice the potatoes 1/2 inch thick. (A French Fry Cutter makes this easier.)
- Soak them in cold water for at least an hour or overnight. (Longer = crispier fries)
- Rinse them twice with cold water and pat them completely dry.
- Heat oil to 300 degrees. Using a Dutch Oven or a similar-sized stockpot, fry the potatoes in about 6 batches for 5-6 minutes. Don’t overcrowd them by placing too many in at a time; they won’t be as crispy. Use a slotted spoon and place it on a paper towel.
- Increase the heat to 400 degrees. Fry in batches until golden brown, about 5 minutes.
- Place them on paper towels and sprinkle them with salt immediately. Serve with ketchup or your choice of condiments.
Making homemade French fries is really about more than potatoes — it’s about consistency, technique, and understanding how simple ingredients behave when you control the process yourself.
Many people who enjoy cutting their own fries, experimenting with thickness, and dialing in texture eventually find themselves curious about other from-scratch food projects. Sausage making is a natural next step. Like fries, it rewards attention to detail, patience, and the right approach rather than complicated equipment.
Whether you’re just starting out or already comfortable with hands-on food prep, learning how sausage is made at home opens the door to a wide range of flavors, techniques, and skills that build on the same fundamentals.
