Last Updated on August 29, 2021
French fries are a staple in any restaurant. They are usually cooked in a deep fryer. Deep frying is a method of cooking food in hot fat. It is done at temperatures between 180°C and 200°C. This process cooks the food quickly and evenly.
The best potatoes to use for french fries are those that have high starch content, low moisture levels, and good flavor. The most common potato used for french fries is russet or Idaho baking potatoes. These types of potatoes contain about 10% water by weight. Russets also tend to be starchy with an average starch level of around 15%. Other varieties include Yukon Golds which can reach up to 20%, Red Bliss which has 25-30% starch, and new red skinned finger
Today we are going to look at the best potatoes that we can use for making French fries. If you want to find out then keep reading this article.
Best Potatoes for French Fries
The russet, often known as Idaho potatoes, are the ideal potatoes for french fries. The finest russet for fries is the Russet Burbank, although the Maris Piper potato also makes excellent fries and is the UK’s top potato for what they call chips (French Fries).
What are Russet Potatoes?
Russets are one of the most popular potatoes because they cook well when fried. Their texture makes them ideal for french fries.
Russets are available year round but peak season runs from May through October. When choosing your russets make sure that they are firm and not soft. Soft ones will break apart during cooking. Also check their color as some may turn greenish yellow after being stored too long.
Common types of Russet potatoes
Russet Burbank
These potatoes are very similar to russets except that they do not need to be peeled before using. Idaho baking potatoes are great for french fries because they hold together better than other kinds of potatoes.
They are easy to peel and cut into perfect strips. You should choose these if you like crispy french fries.
Russet Norkotah
This type of potato is commonly found in supermarkets all over North America. It is considered to be the king of potatoes for french fries.
It does not require peeling prior to cutting it into pieces. However, it needs to be washed thoroughly under running tap water so that dirt particles are removed. Then pat dry with paper towels. You can store Idaho baking potatoes in cool dark place for several weeks without losing quality.
Ranger Russet
A medium sized potato with golden brown flesh. Its taste is sweet and mild. It contains more sugar than other potatoes.
Its shape is oval shaped and its size ranges from 2 inches to 3 inches wide. They are usually sold whole rather than sliced.
Alta Russet
Also called a "bake & eat" potato, these potatoes are generally smaller than regular russets. They are white on the outside and light tan inside.
You don’t need to wash them first since they already come prewashed. Just scrub off any remaining soil. Cut them into slices and fry immediately.
Shepody
Fingerlings have thin skins and tender flesh. This means that they are good candidates for frying. These potatoes are small and waxy. They contain less moisture than other potatoes.
Their flavor is slightly sweeter than other potatoes. They are suitable for boiling or roasting. But they are not recommended for mashing due to their high starch content.
What Type of Potatoes is Best for Making French Fries?
The best choice for making french fries is an Idaho baking potato. These potatoes are large and oblong-shaped. They are covered by thick skin which helps retain heat while cooking.
When selecting this kind of potato, look at how deep the eyes are. If there are no eyes then the potato has been treated with chemicals. Choose those with clear eyes.
The Russet Burbank potato is at the top of the list of Idaho potato varieties that provide the greatest French fries. The following are the features of these potatoes:
Balanced solid-water ratio
The high starch content of russet potatoes makes fries crisp on the exterior and fluffy on the inside. They’re also delicious and have a beautiful golden hue.
A flawless form
The form of good fries is like a shoestring. Using big and oval Russet potatoes while preparing French fries at home will make slicing a lot simpler. Russet potatoes keep their form in heated oil due to their balanced solid-moisture content.
Waxy potatoes, such as red and young potatoes, have a lot of moisture. Because the water evaporates while frying, the extra moisture causes them to hollow out.
Excellent nutritive value
Iron, protein, vitamin C, and vitamin B6 are all abundant in russet potatoes. They also offer one of the greatest quantities of antioxidants and fibre of any tuber crop, particularly in the peel.
What type of oil you can use in French Fries?
There are two types of oils used in French fries; vegetable oil and shortening. Vegetable oil provides better results when it comes to keeping your fries crispy. Shortening gives a softer texture.
Vegetable Oil
It’s important to choose a neutral-flavored oil so that the flavors of the food do not overpower the natural flavor of the fries. Some popular brands include Crisco®, Spectrum®, and Canola™.
Shortening
This is usually made from animal fat. It adds more calories but does give a soft texture. You should avoid using butter because its strong taste would overwhelm the delicate flavor of the fries.
How long Should I Deep Fry My Potato Chips?
Deep frying chips takes longer than shallow frying. For example, if you want to cook 10 pieces of potato chips, you’ll need about 20 minutes. Shallow frying only requires 5–10 minutes per batch. If you fry too many chips at once, they may become soggy. To prevent this, divide the amount into batches and place each batch in a separate pot.
You can also add some spices to enhance the flavor of your chips.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we hope our article helped you find answers to "what are the best potatoes for french fries?" We’ve provided information regarding what variety of potato works well for making French fries.
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