Frozen French fries are a lifesaver. Not only are they easy to prepare, but they also taste amazing.
They make for the perfect side dish or snack and go well with most dishes. It’s no wonder everyone loves fries, especially when served hot.
Frozen French fries are readily available in grocery stores. But how do you make the perfect Fries batch, and for how long do you fry them?
You should fry French fries for at least 20 minutes for the best results. You can reduce the cooking time by thawing the fries in your fridge before cooking.
To check whether they are ready, use a fork to pierce through one of them. If it goes through without resistance, your French fries are ready.
If your fries have a weird consistency, the chances are that you cooked them for too long.
This article discusses how long to fry frozen French fries and the various frying methods, but first, let us look at the origin of French fries.
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French Fries Origin
Despite its name, French fries did not originate from France. They reportedly originated from Belgium when locals started frying potatoes in the late 1600s.
According to Belgian folklore, poor villagers used to fry fish they caught in the river, but when the river froze during the winter months, they needed other food alternatives.
They resorted to slicing potatoes and frying them the same way they fried fish, and the fried potatoes quickly became a delicacy.
During World War I, American soldiers stationed in Belgium were introduced to the fries, who then introduced them to the rest of the world.
Today, French fries are a popular side dish known worldwide. There are different varieties available, including traditional chips, wedges, curly fries, steak fries, waffle cut fries, and stick fries, also known as straight batonnet.
French fries go well with ketchup, dips, mayonnaise, and vinegar. They also pair well with other dishes.
Also, Check Out: Why Are My Fries Soggy (No matter how I fry my potatoes)?
How Long to Fry Frozen French Fries?
The time you should take to fry frozen French fries significantly depends on the size of the fries and your cooking method.
Thicker fries cook for longer, while thinner fries cook faster. Compared to fresh potatoes, frozen French fries take longer to cook because they absorb more oil.
It is best to preheat frozen French fries in an oven before frying. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and place the fries in the oven for at least 20 minutes. Once you remove them from the oven, you can start the frying process.
Heat your oil, and carefully add in the fries. Lower the heat and fry for approximately 15 minutes when the oil starts to bubble. Remember to stir every five minutes, so they don’t stick together.
Once the fries turn golden brown, they are ready. Remove them from oil, place them on kitchen towels to drain the excess oil, and serve.
Tips on Frying Frozen French Fries
It would help to stick to the recommended oil levels when frying. Using too much or too little oil may affect how your fries turn out.
Don’t let it heat past 375 degrees Fahrenheit when heating the oil. The ideal oil temperature for frying frozen fries is between 350 degrees Fahrenheit and 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Thaw the frozen fries before frying if you want them to cook faster. You can do this by parboiling them until they are a bit tender.
However, you should be careful not to overdo it because your fries will turn out mushy and have a weird consistency if they are too tender.
Always use a fork to check whether the fries are done before removing them from heat. Alternatively, remove one from the oil and cut it into it.
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Methods of Frying Frozen French Fries
Use the methods below to fry frozen French fries.
In the Pan
This frying technique that your fries aren’t soggy. If you love crispy fries, you should use this method. Here is how to go about it.
- In a pan, pour in your oil until it is at least ¼ inch from the bottom of the skillet.
- Turn the heat to medium-high and heat the oil until 350 degrees Fahrenheit. If you don’t have a thermometer, you can check whether the oil is hot enough by sprinkling water droplets. If the oil makes a cracking sound, your oil is hot enough.
- Add in your frozen French fries. Be sure not to overcrowd the skillet because your fries will turn out soggy. Instead, cook them in batches for the best results.
- Let the fries cook until they turn crispy and golden brown.
- Use a spatula drainer to remove the fries from the oil and place them on a paper towel to drain excess oil.
- Season with salt and enjoy!
If you want the fries to cook faster, place them in your refrigerator for at least 24 hours before cooking.
It would be best if you also used a heavy-bottomed pan. Make sure you preheat it before adding your oil. Avoid canola and olive oil because they are not ideal for frying frozen French fries.
In the Air Fryer
The most modern technique of frying French fries is using the air fryer. The best part is that you don’t have to use a lot of oil as you do with other methods.
For this reason, your French fries are as healthy as they are tasty.
Follow these steps to fry French fries in your air fryer.
- Rub lard or olive oil on your air fryer basket. You can also use cooking spray if you have it.
- Evenly spread out the French fries in the basket. Do not overcrowd the basket.
- Let the French fries air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 18 minutes. It would help to shake the fryer basket occasionally, so they cook evenly.
- Check whether the fries are well done and golden brown. If not, let them air fry for a few more minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
In a Deep Fryer
Deep frying is arguably the best way to cook frozen French fries. It is also the most traditional method of cooking French fries.
They always turn out tasty and oh so crispy! Follow these steps to make the perfect French fries if you have a deep fryer.
- Preheat your deep fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the fries in your fryer basket and spread them evenly. Do not overcrowd the basket because if you do, the fries won’t cook properly, and you will most likely end up with soggy fries.
- Lower the fryer basket into the hot oil. Be careful while doing this because the oil may splatter and burn you.
- Let the fries cook for at least 5 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove the French fries from the oil and place them on a paper towel. The paper towel will drain the excess oil.
- Season the fries as you wish and enjoy!
In the Oven
If you are craving French fries but want to avoid using too much oil in your dishes, the oven method is just what you need. Here is how to make the perfect French fries in the oven, crispy on the outside and soft inside.
- Transfer your frozen French fries to your refrigerator.
- Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Use cooking spray to spray your baking pan or rub it with olive oil or butter. Alternatively, use a non-stick baking sheet.
- When the oven is ready, remove the fries from your refrigerator and evenly spread them on the baking pan or baking sheet.
- Bake the fries in the oven for 10 minutes or until they turn golden brown. When they do, remove them from the oven, flip them to the other side and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
- Remove the French fries from the oven and let them rest for 3 minutes.
- Season with salt, serve with Season with salt, serve with your favorite dip, and enjoy!
Conclusion
French fries are most people’s go-to snack. You can use any methods discussed above to make the perfect French fries.
Let me know how they turn out in the comments below.
