Best Twice Cooked French Fries Recipes

FRENCH FRIES

Steps:

• Peel potatoes and square off sides and ends. Cut lengthwise into 1/3-inch-thick slices, then cut into 4-inch x 1/3-inch x 1/3-inch sticks. Place in a large bowl and add cold water to cover by 1 inch; let soak in the refrigerator at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours. Drain potatoes and spread on a clean kitchen towel and dry completely, patting off as much water as possible.
• Line 2 baking sheets with a double thickness of paper towels and put a cooling rack on top of each. Heat 2 inches of oil in a heavy stockpot over medium heat to 300 degrees on a deep-fry thermometer. Working in batches and using a spider (a long-handled, fine-mesh skimmer), lower potatoes into oil (the temperature will drop significantly, to about 270 degrees, and slowly climb up again) and stir to separate. Cook just until softened (test one by breaking in half; it should be almost completely cooked through), but not brown, about 3 minutes. Use a spider or slotted spoon to transfer fries to one of the prepared baking sheets to drain, spreading in a single layer. Allow oil to return to 300 degrees between each batch. (The potatoes can be blanched and left to drain on prepared baking sheets for 4 hours in the refrigerator before finishing, replacing the paper towels as necessary.)
• Heat oil to 350 degrees. Again, working in batches, add blanched potatoes to oil (the temperature will drop to about 340 degrees) and stir to separate. Cook until golden brown, 4 to 4 1/2 minutes. Use a spider or slotted spoon to transfer to prepared baking sheets to drain (replace paper towels if you are using the same baking sheets as above). Allow oil to return to 350 degrees between each batch. Sprinkle with salt and serve immediately.

CHEF JOHN'S FRENCH FRIES

Steps:

• Soak potatoes in a large bowl of water for about 30 minutes. Pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.
• Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Gently add the potatoes in the hot oil for about 5 minutes, stirring and flipping the potatoes occasionally. Remove potatoes from oil with a slotted spoon to drain on paper towel and to cool completely.
• Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Fry the potatoes again until golden brown, 5 to 6 minutes. Blot with a paper towel. Sprinkle with salt to serve.

DOUBLE-FRIED FRENCH FRIES

Steps:

• Fill a large bowl with cold water. Peel the potatoes. Cut into 1/3-inch-thick slices, then stack the slices and cut into 1/3-inch-thick sticks, adding the potato sticks to the bowl of water as you go. Soak at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours. (This will help remove the excess starch from the potatoes and keep them from oxidizing.)
• Fill a heavy stockpot with 1 1/2 inches canola oil; fit with a deep-fry thermometer and heat the oil over medium heat until the thermometer registers 325 degrees F. Drain the potatoes and pat dry to remove any excess water.
• Add 2 handfuls of potatoes to the hot oil. (There should be at least 1 inch of oil above the potatoes.) Par-cook the potatoes until they are light brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the potatoes with a slotted spoon, gently shaking off the excess oil; let drain on a rack. Repeat until all the potatoes are par-cooked.
• Bring the temperature of the oil to 350 degrees F. Cook the potatoes again, 2 handfuls at a time, until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Remove from the oil with a slotted spoon, shake off the excess and season lightly with salt and pepper. Repeat until all the potatoes are cooked.

DOUBLE FRIED FRENCH FRIES

Steps:

• Pour oil in a deep fryer or heavy saucepan to reach halfway up the sides of the pan. Heat to 325 degrees F, use a deep fry thermometer to determine this. While the oil is heating, peel the potatoes and push through a French fry cutter to form uniform sticks. As you go, place the cut potatoes in a bowl of ice water to release some of the starch and to keep them from browning.
• Dry the potato strips thoroughly, this will keep the oil from splattering. Fry the potatoes in batches so the pan isn't crowded and the oil temperature does not plummet. Cook for 3 minutes until they are soft but not browned. Remove the potatoes with a long-handled metal strainer and drain on brown paper bags.
• Bring oil temperature up to 375 degrees F. Return the par-fried potatoes to the oil in batches and cook a second time for 4 minutes until golden and crispy. Drain on fresh brown paper bags then place in a serving bowl lined with paper towels. Salt and serve immediately.

TWICE BAKED FRENCH FRIES

Steps:

• Spread potatoes on lightly greased jelly roll pan and bake at 375° for 15 minutes.
• Drizzle melted butter over (use more if needed to coat all of the potatoes).
• Sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper, then add other seasonings as desired.
• Toss together to be sure all of potatoes are coated with butter and seasonings.
• Return to oven until potatoes are crisp and tender.

TWICE-COOKED FRENCH FRIES

Steps:

• Bring large pot of salted water to boil. Line large baking sheet with several layers of paper towels. Cut 1 potato lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Stack 2 to 3 potato slices at a time and cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch-wide sticks. Cook potato sticks in boiling water just until beginning to soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Using slotted spoon or tongs, transfer potato sticks to paper-towel-lined baking sheet to drain. Repeat cutting, blanching, and draining remaining potatoes. Pat potato sticks dry with additional paper towels. DO AHEAD: Can be made 4 hours ahead. Let stand uncovered at room temperature.
• Pour enough canola oil into heavy large pot to reach depth of 4 inches. Attach deep-fry thermometer to side of pot; heat oil to 350°F. Working in batches, add potato sticks to oil and fry until golden brown, about 6 minutes. Transfer to clean paper towels to drain. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

TWICE-COOKED RUSTIC FRIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Wash and gently scrub potatoes under cold running water to remove any excess dirt and thick skin. Poke with a fork to make holes all over - this allows the moisture to escape while baking. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil, season with salt and place into preheated oven. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until a paring knife goes through cleanly but the potato is still firm to touch.
• Remove from oven and allow to cool so you can handle them. Cut into large wedges and lay out in a single layer to dry slightly before dusting with a little potato starch. Turn them over and dust again.
• Heat some oil in a large pot to 350 degrees F.
• Fry the potatoes in batches for 5 to 7 minutes until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and season with salt immediately.