Frequent question: Should you blanch potatoes before frying?

Get a crispier finished fry by blanching potatoes in hot oil to precook before peak periods and then finish in a final fry before serving. Fries are completely cooked during the blanching stage at a lower temperature to allow the potato to cook slowly without becoming golden brown.

How do you blanch potatoes before frying?

Add potatoes to a small but deep saucepan filled with cold water and bring to a boil. Once boiling, let potatoes cook for about 5 minutes and then remove. Air dry on paper towels; about 10 minutes. (Make sure the potatoes are dry before frying; you can dab them off with the paper towel if necessary.)

Why do you soak potatoes before frying them?

The soaking, Mr. Nasr said, is the secret to the crisp texture of the fries. It draws out the starch, making them more rigid and less likely to stick together. The cooks fry them twice, first blanching them until slightly limp in peanut oil heated to 325 degrees, and again in 375-degree oil to crisp and brown them.

How long do you blanch fresh cut fries?

Remove the potatoes from the water and pat dry. Working in small batches, fry the potatoes until they go from shiny to matte, 3 to 5 minutes (this is also called blanching). Drain well on paper towels.

Why do French fries get soggy?

When fries are cooked at a very high temperature, the starches in them are hydrated (moisture goes in), puffing them up and helping the outer skin get nice and crisp. When these same fries cool, the starches secrete moisture, which makes its way to the fries’ crust, leaving them soggy and limp.

How long should you blanch potatoes?

3. Blanch the potatoes. Carefully lower potatoes into the boiling water and leave them there to cook for a few minutes. Blanching time depends on the size of the spud—baby potatoes, or any potato that has been cut in one-inch thick pieces, should blanch for three to five minutes from the moment they hit the water.

Why are French fries not crispy?

Perhaps most important, water on the surface can inhibit crispness and produce greasy fries. Remember that the surface starch absorbs nearby moisture and seals the surface. If you don’t dry the potatoes, you won’t get a dry surface that seals.

What happens if you leave potatoes in water too long?

If keeping potatoes in water for more than an hour, refrigerate. However, don’t soak them any longer than overnight—after that, the potatoes start to lose their structure and flavor.

How long soak potatoes before frying?

Place them in a large bowl and cover with cold water. Allow them to soak, 2 to 3 hours. (You can also stick them in the fridge and let them soak overnight.) When you’re ready to make the fries, drain off the water and lay the potatoes on 2 baking sheets lined with paper towels.

What does blanching fries mean?

Blanching is the process of dunking your sliced, pre-cooked potatoes in a scalding vat of water or oil. They are left in the liquid for a very short time interval, then hastily removed and immediately placed into a container of cold water in order to stop the cooking process.

What temperature do I deep fry fries?

Pour oil in a deep fryer or heavy saucepan to reach halfway up the sides of the pan. Heat to 325 degrees F, use a deep fry thermometer to determine this. While the oil is heating, peel the potatoes and push through a French fry cutter to form uniform sticks.

How long should I deep fry fries?

Heat oil in deep-fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Add potatoes, and cook until golden, 5 to 6 minutes. drain on paper towels. Season with salt to taste.

How do you keep french fries crispy after frying?

There’s an easy way, borrowed from restaurants that deep-fry food every day, to keep your fried foods crispy and delicious! The best way to keep fried foods crispy? Just place them on a cooling rack set over a baking sheet.

How do you reheat french fries so they’re crispy?

Put the leftover fries in the hot oil in a single layer, making sure not to crowd the pan. Work in batches if need be. Cook the fries undisturbed until they’re warmed through, then toss in the skillet until they’re crisp.

How do you keep french fries crispy?

Rinse them, after soaking just pouring off the starchy water isn’t enough you actually need to rinse the surface starch away. Rest them at room temperature to cool off. Finish fry (@375°F) The higher temperature will crisp them up…and they should stay crispy ‘longer’ than if you just slice ’em and fry them.