why do you have to soak potatoes in an ice bath to remove starch to make french fries?

Question

Is that what makes them crispy?

Answer 1

This is my method to make the perfect chip.

Chips.
2kg Large potatoes, peeled.
Vegetable oil for deep frying.
(I) Wash or soak in cold water and thoroughly dry potatoes and cut lengthways into 10mm sticks.
(II) Heat oil and lower chips into the pot a few at a time into moderately hot oil. Cover and cook for about 4 minutes, or until pale golden.
(III) Remove and place on paper towels. Repeat with rest.
(IV) When ready to serve reheat oil, and cook again in batches, until crisp and golden. Drain on a paper towels.
Note.
Potatoes needn’t be in sticks and at the end of step 2 they can be stored refrigerated several hours ahead or wrapped and frozen.

Answer 2

I never soak my potatoes before I make fries. I just slice them up and throw them in the oven.

Oven Fries
4-5 med baking potatoes
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pinch white sugar
1 pinch ground cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon Salad Supreme

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil, and coat well with vegetable cooking spray. Scrub potatoes well, peel or not as you like and cut into 1/2 inch thick fries. Place cut fries in a lrg bowl.
In a sm dish, blend the oil, sugar, and seasonings. Pour over fries and toss to coat all fries evenly. Spread on baking sheet in one layer.
After 15 minutes, remove from oven and turn fries with a pancake turner. This will help them brown evenly and keep them from sticking. Bake another 15 minutes, until potatoes are tender and browned. Serve immediately.

Answer 3

two reasons potatoes are soaked - as you mentioned to wash off the excess starch and the other is to prevent the potatoes from browning, oxidizing.

The actual trick to make crispy french fries is to cook them twice.

First at 325F to cook the potatoes and then at 375-380F to crisp up the outside.

Answer 4

It will keep them from sticking together. For crispy fries, cook your fries once til nearly done, remove let cool and fry again at a higher temp to brown and crisp.

Answer 5

I know to remove potassium you have to soak them over nite.I really never knew about making them crispy?Sorry.

Answer 6

Steak with Baked Potato and salad

Answer 7

You answered your question....to remove the starch

Answer 8

It's cold water and it's to keep them from browning.

Answer 9

another web site said it was to chill the interior so that the outside crisps and interior stays fluffy. sounded possible to me

Answer 10

you dont have to use ice even plain water works