Name: Homemade French Fries (Air fryer & Deep fried methods)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 4 Medium size Russet potatoes ((or use as many as you want)); Ice cold water as per need.; Small piece of alum/fatkari; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper powder; 1/2 tsp red chilli powder; Oil for frying

22 May Homemade French Fries (Air fryer & Deep fried methods)

Posted at 04:08h in Kids favourite, Snacks/Street Food, Vegan Recipes by blessmyfoodbypayal 6 Comments

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Last Updated on March 8, 2024 by blessmyfoodbypayal

Homemade French Fries (Air fryer & Deep fried methods) with step wise pictorial and video method.

WHAT ARE FRENCH FRIES?

French fries is something which really need no introduction.

Also called by the names finger chips, fries, frites, hot chips, steak fries and slap chips, this is one such dish that has global recognition and holds a special place in many hearts.

A visit to the fast-food joint or a fancy restaurant is incomplete unless you don’t get to have French Fries as an accompaniment to burger, sandwich, pizza or nuggets or many more.

However french fries is not something which needs a company to relish but it itself is enough to make you drool, especially a kid with you or within you.

WHAT TYPE OF POTATOES ARE IDEAL FOR FRENCH FRIES?

Russet or Idaho potatoes are the best when it comes to making French or potato chips. They have a high starch content and low moisture. These are considered ideal for making French fries because they make out a fluffy interior and a crispy, golden exterior fries.

Such type of potatoes absorb less oil during frying, hold their shape well during cooking and are less prone to falling apart. resulting in a lighter, less greasy fries that melts in your mouth.

WHAT’S THE ROLE OF ALUM/FATKARI ?

Though alum has a small role to play but that’s very important and vital. Alum helps in removing the starch from the potatoes and the potatoes will not turn brown even when they are out of water.

This is all about the importance of alum, called fatkari in Hindi and is commonly available in grocery shops or pansari.

METHODS OF PREPARING

There are three way to make French fries :

Air Fryer
Deep frying &
Baking in oven.

AIR FRYING : Air fryer is such a kitchen appliance that has gained popularity in recent years for its ability to produce crispy foods with significantly less oil than traditional frying methods. Air fryer french fries almost gives a similar texture like that of deep-fried but with a benefit of zeri oil and very fewer calories.

DEEP FRYING : This is the traditional method of cooking French fries, but there’s a different way to make them, which will be discussed later on in this post.

BAKING : Although this post doesn’t cover the baking process, but these fries can be made using oven as well. Grease the baking tray with vegetable oil. Preheat your oven to 450° F/230°C. Arrange the fries on the tray & place them in the oven. Turn the fries occasionally until the fries are cooked through but don’t let them turn brown at all.

PRESERVING FRENCH FRIES (UPTO 2 MONTHS) FOR INSTANT FRYING

We have hardly found anyone who doesn’t love French Fries but this is not like making a cup of tea that whenever you have carving for it, immediately rush to kitchen & prepare them. Additionally if some guest suddenly comes to you, you can’t plan to make it at the spur of the moment.

But with this easy method, making French Fries at any point of time becomes more easier than making a cup of tea. “Blanching & freezing potatoes for French Fries” is the name for this method.

Blanching and freezing potatoes for French fries is a very simple & easy process. For that you just need to fry the potatoes twice. The first time, called “blanching,” which involves lower-temperature & frying for longer-duration to cook the fries thoroughly. The next step is to brown and crisp the outside at a higher temperature for a short term.

In conclusion, both deep frying and air frying are effective methods for preparing French fries, each offering its own set of advantages and considerations. While deep frying yields fries with a rich flavor and satisfying crunch, air frying provides a healthier alternative with less oil and fewer calories. Ultimately, the choice between the two methods comes down to personal preference and dietary preferences, but either way, the end result is sure to be a deliciously satisfying treat.

Step wise pictorial method of Homemade French Fries (Air fryer & Deep fried methods)

Peel the potatoes. Put these potatoes into a bowl carrying ice cold water. Also put a piece of alum in water for 30 seconds.

Remove the alum and rest the potatoes in chilled water for 15 minutes.

Take a first potato & trim off the 6 sides to give it a perfect box shape.

Cut the box into 1/4-inch thick planks. Then cut the planks into sticks that are as long as the potato and 1/4-inch square on the ends. And now the potato is in a fries shape.

Repeat the same process with all the potatoes.

AIR FRYER METHOD

Spread the potato sticks into an air fryer basket.

Air fry @190 degree C for 14-15 minutes. However shake the basket during the half time and then take the fries out.

Season them with salt, black pepper powder and red chilli powder.

DEEP FRYING METHOD

Take a pan, add oil and heat it to moderate temp. Add fries in the oil but don’t overcrowd the pan. Fry in batches otherwise. Fry them gently until they are cooked through but don’t let them turn brown at all. It may take about 6 to 8 minutes. Do stir them wherever required.

Remove them from the oil and drain them in a colander. Avoid using paper napkin because fries tend to stick to them. Let them come to room temperature.

NOTE : This is the stage where we can fill them in air tight container/ziplock bag and place them in the freezer. Whenever you need to serve them, heat the oil in a pan and add the blanched fries in it. Fry them until they are golden brown, about 3 to 5 minutes. Then remove & season them. Use the Fries within 2 months.

As we are not storing for future use, it’s time to fry them again. Put them in the oil. This time oil should be very hot.

Fry them to brown and crisp while stirring them occasionally.

Take out in a colander to remove excess oil.

Put them in a bowl. Sprinkle some salt, red chilli powder and black pepper powder.

Mix well.

Serve the hot and crispy French Fries with Tomato Ketchup.

NOTE

You can avoid peeling the potatoes because leaving the peels intact increases the nutritional content, as many of the vitamins and minerals are in the skin. I removed the peels because they give a rustic look to the fries. Purely your call.

Cutting a potato in box shape is our prerogative because it gives a perfect shaped French Fries. However feel free to cut & shape fries the way you want.