Who loves French fries? I’d say everyone, right? This is like my kryptonite and when you are on a weight loss journey, carbs are supposed to be the devil. I guess it is off to hell I go because I’m so sorry I’m not sorry, it is just too drool worthy delicious and so worth the extra calories.
These golden babies are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside plus, they go with practically anything. But have you ever tried frying frozen French fries? It’s a whole new level of home-made deliciousness.
There are many methods to prepare them out there, but which one is the best way to fry frozen French fries? After much research (and by research I mean trial and error, yes of course, tasting), I have determined the following methods so keep reading to find out more!
Best Way To Fry Frozen French Fries – Methods
Oven method (Convection)
Ingredients
- 1 bag of frozen French fries (I used McCain’s Super fries)
- 2 tbsp. of canola oil or vegetable oil
- Sea salt to taste
- Optional: Dried herbs
Instructions
The first step is to preheat your oven/convection oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and you will need to spread the frozen French fries on a baking sheet. Drizzle oil or avocado oil is an option as well over the French fries.
Use just enough to coat them lightly. Make sure to toss the fries so they are all coated in oil, you don’t want them to be soggy! Then, you will want to sprinkle sea salt over the top. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, flipping them halfway through until golden brown and crispy.
Remove from the oven and enjoy!
Deep fryer method
Ingredients
- 1 bag of frozen French fries
- Between 250ml to 500ml Canola oil or vegetable oil for frying
- Sea salt to taste
Instructions
This is my personal favorite and best way to fry frozen French fries. I think it gives them the best texture and flavor. You will want to heat the oil in your deep fryer; the temperature should be between 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Then, carefully add in your frozen French fries a few at a time, (so they don’t stick together) into the basket and lower them into the hot oil. Fry for 3-5 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
Remove the basket from the fryer and drain on a paper towel to absorb any excess oil. Repeat process till all frozen fries are cooked.
Sprinkle with salt and serve.
Stovetop method
Ingredients
- 1 bag of frozen French fries
- 50ml of Canola oil or vegetable oil for frying
- Sea salt to taste
Instructions
Start by heating up some oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is heated, add in your frozen French fries. You will want to spread them out evenly in the pan and not over crowd for even cooking.
Fry for 3-5 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Remove from the pan and drain on a paper towel. Then repeat the process till all fries are cooked.
Sprinkle with salt and serve.
Air fryer method
Ingredients
- 1 bag of frozen French fries
- 2 tbsp. of canola oil or vegetable oil
- Salt to taste
Instructions
The first step is to preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. You will want to spread the frozen French fries on a baking sheet and drizzle them with the oil. Make sure to toss the fries so they are all coated in oil.
Then, you will want to sprinkle salt over the top. Place the French fries in the air fryer basket and cook for 18-20 minutes, until golden brown and crispy. Repeat process until all fries are done also remember to shake the basket a few times during cooking to make sure they cook evenly.
Serve hot!
Microwave method
Ingredients
- 1 bag of frozen French fries
Instructions
This is the quickest way to make French fries, but they will not be as crispy as the other methods. You will want to place the frozen fries on a microwave-safe plate and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until heated / cooked through.
Serve immediately.
Best Way To Fry Frozen French Fries – Guide
Do I need to defrost frozen French fries before frying?
No, you do not need to defrost frozen French fries before frying. In fact, like all frozen veggies it is best not to defrost them before cooking so they retain their natural moisture and stay crisp on the outside.
This is what makes this so convenient as it is quick to prepare because unlike preparing fresh potatoes, they are already cut and ready to be cooked.
Can I use fresh potatoes to make French fries?
Yes, you can use fresh potatoes or even sweet potatoes (a healthier alternative) to make French fries. However, they will not be as crispy as frozen French fries because they do not have the same amount of moisture however you can soak them before hand.
This way their extra moisture is retained and you may achieve that elusive crisp.
What is the best oil for frying frozen French fries?
The best oil for frying frozen French fries is canola oil or vegetable oil [1] as they don’t change the taste of the French fries you preparing. These oils also have a high smoke point and will not burn easily. They are reasonably priced which is a plus as frying requires quite a bit of oil.
How to make restaurant-style French fries?
The best way to make restaurant-style French fries is to fry them twice. First, fry them at a lower temperature to cook the potatoes all the way through. Then, raise the temperature of the oil and fry them again until they are golden brown and crispy.
This will give you the perfect combination of a soft inside with a crispy outside.
Do I need to use a specific type of potato for French fries?
The best potatoes for French fries are russet potatoes [2] because they are large and have high starch content. The potato flesh is white, soft, dry, and grainy; this gives them the perfect texture for frying.
McDonalds is one of many fast food joints that use russet potatoes because apart from the above fleshy properties, it is large enough to create the lengthy well-liked French fries shape.
What is the difference between a deep fryer and a regular fryer?
A deep fryer is a type of fryer that can accommodate large quantities of food and has a basket that can be lowered into the oil. A regular fryer is smaller and does not have a basket; usually this is stove top frying which is done in a large skillet or pan.
What are some common dipping sauces for French fries?
Some common dipping sauces for French fries include ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, BBQ sauce, and ranch dressing. My favorite French fries flavor is a dash of salt with a sprinkle of vinegar….yum.
This is my guilty pleasure at least twice (or five times) a month and usually accompanied by a burger or Cajun seafood.
Are potatoes a type of root vegetable?
Yes, potatoes is one of the many types of root vegetables there are. Other types of root vegetables include, carrots, sweet potatoes, radish and beetroot. There are different way of preparing and cooking root vegetables that will complement your culinary experiences.
Final words…
So there you have it. These are just a few methods to prepare your frozen French fries and let them taste their best. This is my kid’s favorite go-to meal and they were my testers for each method.
I loved the oven baked one as a quick prep meal I don’t have to over think however the consensus is definitely the deep fry method for the best crisp and taste. I hope you will give them a try! And if you do, please let me know how they turn out for you.
Charlene Gallant
Charlene is a lover of good food. She enjoys nothing more than cooking up a storm in the kitchen and sharing her favourite recipes with her readers. She also enjoys reading a good book.