French fries have a reputation for being one of the easiest dishes to make, but it takes time to master your own recipe. There’s nothing wrong with making a few tiny mistakes along the way, but these five are best avoided if you want your fries to be perfectly crispy and tasty.
Potato Choice
Not all potatoes are created equal and it’s important to pick the right type. Yellow-fleshed potatoes are your best bet because they contain less starch than white ones.
Cutting Technique
The way you cut your potatoes makes all the difference. They shouldn’t be thicker than half a centimeter and you should try to make them all similar in size.
Soaked Potatoes
One essential step most people usually skip is soaking potatoes for about 30 minutes before frying them. This allows them to lose a part of the starch, but it’s important to dry them before putting them in oil.
Overcrowding the Pan
Don’t rush things when making fresh fries because the final result won’t be as good. Don’t overcrowd your pan because the fries won’t cook evenly.
Salt Dilemma
Don’t wait too long after cooking your fries to salt them. Give them a few minutes to cool down and salt them before it’s too late, letting the salt stick to the fries.
