My home made french fries turn soft & soggy after I take them out of the oil. How can I make crispy fries???

Answer 1

Fry them twice. I've never made french fries at home but I've heard several tv chefs tout the double fry. And it always looks good. I've attached the link to Emeril Legasse's Perfect French Fries (twice fried) from the foodnetwork.

Be very sure the potatoes are dry the first time you fry them after their cold water soak. Splattering grease can be very dangerous as I'm sure you know.

Season them IMMEDIATELY after removing from fryer the second fry.. even if only using salt. It will take much less and taste so much better.

Also be sure your oil is clean and as hot as the recipe calls for. Wimpy oil means wimpy fried foods.

Answer 2

The tricks are to make sure the oil is hot enough before you fry them and to double-fry them. When the oil is hot enough, drop the first batch into the fryer and fry about 5 minutes. Remove from the oil and drain on a paper plate. Continue until all the fries have been in the oil. If you are only making a small batch, remove from the oil and let them cool for 10 minutes before you continue. After the partially fried fries are slightly cooled, put them back into the fryer (make sure the oil has come back up to the right temp) until they are golden brown. Drain on a wire rack that is placed over a cookie sheet lined with paper towels. Season with salt as soon as you take them out. Continue until they are all done. They should be crispy every time! One reason they could be soggy is that they might be sitting too long in their own grease. Good luck!

Answer 3

Alton Brown on FoodTV did a show on homemade fries. They have to be fried first at a low temp to pretty much cook them throughout, removed from the oil, THEN fried again at a higher temp to crisp and brown them. It's a hassle, but it works. You can look up his show and his recipe for FF on FoodNetwork .com.

An alternative is to invest in one of those oscillating deep fryers. The basket rotatoes in and out of the oil to fry quickly, w/ the food in the oil less time that usual. You can get them at good kitchen stores or kitchenware depts.

Answer 4

Do not put them in the oil to fry until the oil of real hot. This will make them crispy. I take a paper towel and after I take them out of the oil, I put them on the paper towel. Do not leave them soaking in the pan, they will be soft and soggy and full of bad oil.

Answer 5

On one of the cooking show one the food network (long time ago), said that the easist way to make them crispy is: fry part of the fries for a few minutes (@325 or 350), take them out and let them drain, while they are draining, fry the rest for a few minutesand drain. while they are draining replace the first batch in a higher (400) for a few minutes and drain. do the same with the second batch. it should work. i really don't remember exactly how long you are supposed to cook them, but it does turn out good.

Answer 6

Make sure that the oil is hot enough when you are putting in the fries. If they aren't then you will get soft and soggy ones.

Answer 7

Make them in the oil ahead of time, but do not cook all the way. then right before serving put them back in the oil to crisp.

Answer 8

Fry them twice. Fry them until they are lightly golden. Let them cool and then fry them again just before serving. If homemade and not frozen fries, you can soak them in ice water before your first frying. Just make sure that you dry them well before putting them in the hot oil!

Answer 9

Drop them in hot oil, carefully. Do not stir until you see one side has browned, stir once to roll them over, do not stir again until ready to remove. Remove, season, do not cover. You may want to use peanut oil, for extra crispness.

Answer 10

Make sure the oil is hot (ready) before you put them in. And do not cover them with anything...on the platter.