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Learn how to cut French fries at home with this easy step-by-step guide and video! Get tips on choosing the best potatoes, cutting even fries, and preventing browning before cooking.
Are you wondering how to cut potatoes into perfect fries every time? I love making crispy fries at home, like my baked French fries or sweet potato fries, and this simple cutting method really changed the game for me. I hope it does the same for you! Grab your knife, and let’s get started.
How to cut fries–step by step
Step 1: Place the potato on its side and, using a large chef’s knife, cut a thin slice off the edge to serve as a flat base.
Step 2: Flip the potato cut side down and cut thin slices; make them the width you’d like your French fries to be.
Step 3: Stack a few slices, then cut them in the other direction to create French fries.
And there you have it: how to cut potatoes into fries in 3 easy steps! Let me know if you try my method of cutting potatoes into fries, and tell me how it goes in the comments below.
Baking fries after cutting
Once you’ve cut the potatoes into fries, here are the basic steps for baking them (or check out the recipe here):
- Preheat the oven to 425°F.
- Place the cut fries into a medium bowl and rinse with cold water until water is clear. Then fill the bowl with cold water and allow to rest for 10 minutes (while the oven preheats). Then drain and dry the fries thoroughly with a clean dish towel.
- Add the fries to a dry bowl and toss them with olive oil and seasonings (I like a mix of smoked paprika, garlic powder, Old Bay, salt, and pepper). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Spread the fries in straight lines on the paper, placing them as far apart as possible.
- Bake the fries for 20 minutes. Flip and bake additional 8 to 10 minutes until they are crisp and golden brown, watching carefully as the bake time depends on the fry thickness and your oven.
Tip: Use a great chef’s knife!
A good knife can drastically improve your time in the kitchen. I’ve had my chef’s knives for over 10 years, and they still work great. My favorite knife is this 7″ Chef’s Knife. For safe storage, you can use a drawer knife organizer. Make sure to keep your knives sharpened using a local service or home knife sharpener.
Recipe ideas for your fries
Now that you know how to cut potatoes into fries, here are some of my favorite French fries recipes for you to try:
- Try classic baked French fries or sweet potato fries.
- Go for homemade French fries: both baked and pan fried.
- Make chili cheese fries, cheese fries, or Greek fries.
- Mix up Parmesan truffle fries, garlic fries, or Cajun fries.
- Try my seasoned fries or carrot fries.
FAQs about cutting fries
Russet potatoes are the classic choice due to their high starch content, which results in fluffy interiors and crispy exteriors. You can also use Yukon Gold for a slightly buttery flavor.
It’s up to your preference! I like to leave the skins on, which adds texture and nutrients.
Aim for 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch thickness. Thinner fries will be crispier, while thicker ones will be softer in the center.
Soaking in cold water for 10 minutes can help remove excess starch, resulting in crispier fries. Be sure to dry them thoroughly before frying.
How to Cut Potatoes into Fries
Wondering how to cut potatoes into fries? Here’s a step by step guide and video that shows you exactly how to cut potatoes for french fries.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 2 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving of fries 1x
- Category: Knife Skills
- Method: Cutting
- Cuisine: N/A
Ingredients
- 1 medium potato
Instructions
- Place the potato on its side and, using a large chef’s knife, cut a thin slice off the edge to serve as a flat base.
- Flip the potato cut side down and cut thin slices; make them the width you’d like your French fries to be.
- Stack a few of the slices, then cut them in the other direction to create French fries. Check out my Crispy Baked Fries recipe.
very nice good