What does it mean to blanch french fries?

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.

How long do you blanch fries for?

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).

How do you blanch fresh cut fries?

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.)

What does it mean to blanch potatoes?

Blanching potatoes helps to remove the skin, keeps them fresh and colorful, maintains color, reduces microorganisms and preserves the potatoes for freezing. This means that the potatoes will not turn brown after they are cut. … If you are blanching for peeling, place them beside the pot of boiling water.

What temperature do you blanch french fries at?

Another tip: add a little citrus acid or vinegar to the water to help prevent oxidation. To blanch (partially cook) Idaho Russet Burbank potatoes in oil takes three minutes at 350 degrees F (The Norkotah variety should be blanched at a slightly lower temp of 325 degrees F for five to seven minutes.)

Should you blanch fries before frying?

Fresh fries are best blanched. 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 long soak fries 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.

Why are my homemade French fries soggy?

Improperly cooked french fries are limp, greasy, or soggy and often over-browned. These problems all arise from the improper handling of starch and sugar when exposed to high heat.

Why do you blanch fries?

Blanching also works to reduce the moisture content of the French fry, helping them crisp up much more easily when fried. When the potatoes are transferred to the cold water after the hot liquid dip, the cells of the potato shrink, ensuring the fry will not absorb as much oil when it is later fried.

Why do you soak french fries before cooking?

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 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 is blanching necessary?

Blanching stops enzyme actions which otherwise cause loss of flavor, color and texture. In addition, blanching removes some surface dirt and microorganisms, brightens color and helps slow vitamin losses. It also wilts greens and softens some vegetables (broccoli, asparagus) and makes them easier to pack.

Why do you Soak potatoes in water before air frying?

When you make traditional deep-fried French fries, it’s advisable to soak the potatoes ahead of time in cold water. Soaking the potatoes does something magical with the starches—it helps achieve the coveted French fry crispiness and prevents the fries from sticking together. This is what I did for the air fryer, too.

Why my french fries are 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 is the best oil temperature to cook French fries?

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 is the best oil to cook french fries?

Neutral-tasting oils are great for frying: peanut, canola, vegetable, safflower, grape-seed, et cetera. These all have a smoke point well above 350°F. Some oils, like corn, coconut and sesame, have smoke points beyond 350°F, but they impart a lot of flavor into the finished product that you may or may not want.