Of course, indulging in fast-food french fries is okay because they are delicious. But have you seen what goes in them? I can’t even pronounce all the words on the ingredient list. That means homemade is the best way to go. A handy trick for effortless fries is having a stash of homemade french fry seasoning on hand. Even better, you can customize your seasoning blend as spicy or mild as you like. And if you’re avoiding all things fried, it goes great sprinkled on a baked potato.
Recipe Ingredients
How to Make Seasoned Fries
Prep the Fries
Seasoning – Combine the seasoning ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix well. Set aside or store in a spice jar. (Photos 1-2) Prep Potatoes – Thoroughly scrub the potatoes if making the fries with the skins on. Then, remove blemishes, such as bruising and discoloration, with a paring knife. If you peel them, place the peeled potatoes in a bowl of cold water and completely submerge them so they don’t turn dark while you peel the rest. (Photos 3-4) Cut the potatoes lengthwise with a sharp knife into 4-5 slices, then cut each slice into sticks. The width depends on your preference. Remember, the thinner the fries, the crispier they get. (Photos 5-6) Soak – Place the cut potatoes in the bowl of water, making sure they’re fully submerged. Soak them for two or three hours. Note: You can also soak them in the fridge for several hours or overnight to remove excess starch. It makes crispier fries. (Photo 7) Prep Work Station – When ready to fry the potatoes, line a cookie sheet or large plate with paper towels. You might have to use more than one plate or cookie sheet. Set aside. Drain the potatoes and lay them on the prepared cookie sheet. Pat the damp fries with paper towels to remove excess moisture. (Photo 8)
Fry Them Up
Heat the oil in a deep fryer or cast-iron skillet to 300℉/160℃. First Fry – Carefully drop fries into the hot oil for 5-6 minutes. Potatoes should be crisp and tender but not browned. (Photo 9) Drain – Remove the fries and gently shake off the excess oil using a large strainer or slotted spoon. Drain them on a plate or rack. Continue frying the remaining potatoes until you have par-cooked all the fries. (Photo 10) At this point, you can freeze the fries in a ziplock bag for later. Increase heat to 350℉/177℃. Second Fry – Return potatoes to the fryer in small batches, frying until golden brown and crispy, 2-3 minutes. (Photo 11) Season – Remove from oil, shake off the excess, and immediately toss with the seasoning mixture. (Photo 12) Repeat until all potatoes are cooked.
Recipe Variations
Tips and Tricks
Make-Ahead Instructions
Make the fries through the first frying. Then, spread them out on a baking sheet so they don’t stick together and freeze them. Store them in a freezer ziplock bag after they’ve frozen solid. You can fry or bake the fries straight from frozen when ready to enjoy your seasoned fries.
Serving and Storage Instructions
Is there anything better than fries hot out of the fryer? I didn’t think so! 😋 In case of leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for a day or two max. Reheat them in the oven or, even better, an air fryer.
What to Serve With Seasoned Fries
Grilled hamburgers are the first thing that comes to mind. But any sandwich is perfect: a chicken or fish sandwich and seasoned fries will blow any McDonald’s Happy Meal out of the water. And for a gluten-free meal, try them with a jibarito plantain and steak sandwich.
More Soul-Satisfying Snacks to Try
Watch How to Make It
[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”KfZ0oUDx” upload-date=”2022-04-05T07:00:00.000Z” name=”Seasoned Fries” description=”These Seasoned Fries are way better than those you order from the restaurant. Not only are they bursting with great flavors, but they’re also guaranteed preservative-free! The crispy outside and melt-in-your-mouth center make the perfect snack for your whole family!” player-type=”collapse” override-embed=”false”] This blog post was originally published in April 2022 and has been updated with additional tips, new photos, and a video
