How to Make Homestyle French Fries

Last Updated: March 4, 2021

Just about everyone enjoys really tasty fries. Therefore, this recipe is sure to delight most people. And in order to make them healthier to eat, certain steps will be taken. This recipe is quick and easy, which makes it even better.

Ingredients

3-4 medium to large Irish potatoes
1-1 1/2 cups self-Rising Flour (to substitute for self-rising flour, for every 1 cup all-purpose flour, add 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder plus 1/2 teaspoon salt)
3-4 cups oil
Dressing, dip, or sauces
Salt and pepper (optional, a salt substitute can be used in the place of salt)
Garlic powder (for seasoning, also fights against cholesterol)
Pure vegetable oil and extra virgin olive oil (combine the two oils)
Choose either milk (high or reduced fat), beaten egg whites, or warm water (not recommended) to dip the fries in before they are coated with flour. It's all about personal preference; there's no right or wrong answer. If using egg whites, 3-4 should do the trick, but it will depend on the amount of fries.

Steps

1
Do your preparations. Measure flour and sift or blend with a fork in order to remove any lumps. Have on hand a shaker bag (a small brown lunch bag will do), or have ready an area to roll the fries in flour. Have the skillet facing out and on top of the stove burner.
2
Slice the potatoes. Begin by slicing each potato in half, and slice each half in to thick wedges. Each half should make three to four thick fries, which is the goal.

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3
Fill the skillet with oil, about half or even 3/4 near the top. It will need to be enough to totally cover the fries. The exact amount of oil you want will depend on the number of fries that one has chosen to prepare. One may only want to cook a few fries at a time as opposed to a larger amount. Use your own judgment on the amount of oil that will be needed.
4
Dip the fries in milk, warm water, or egg whites before coating with flour. Then use a shaker bag (or prepared area) to fully coat the fries in flour.
5
Turn the heat up to medium and allow the oil to get very hot, so that the fries sizzle upon being dropped in. Test the oil by dropping in one fry or a little chunk of wet flour.
6
Add in the fries, but make sure that you don't add so many that they touch one another. When the flour begins to turn light brown, reduce the heat a bit and cover. This allows the fries to fully cook on the inside as well as the outside. Repeat until all fries are cooked.
7
Serve the fries hot, for best results and taste.

Community Q&A

Question

Can I use bread crumbs?

Community Answer

You can add whatever seasoning you want to the flour that you coat the fries in, including breadcrumbs.
Question

What if I don't have any flour?

Community Answer

If you don't have any flour, you won't be able to make this recipe. You can try finding another recipe online that doesn't call for flour though.
Question

What if I don't have oil?

Hibou8

Community Answer

You can try baking your fries and using butter instead, as in the article How to Make French Fries . But the above method will not work for you without oil.

Warnings

Be sure that the oil is hot enough so that the flour will not fall off the potatoes as soon as they're placed in the hot oil.

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Do not overcrowd the skillet, causing the fries to clump or cling together. In other words, allow room.

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Ensure the oil does not get too hot, or it could catch on fire.

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