The Key Technique to Perfecting Crispy French Fries at Home

• 2 pounds

  large russet potatoes (about 4)

• 1 1/2 teaspoons

  kosher salt, positive much arsenic needed

• 1 1/2 teaspoons

  onion powder

• 1 teaspoon

  garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon

  smoked paprika

• 3/4 teaspoon

  dried thyme

• 1/2 teaspoon

  cayenne pepper

• 1/2 teaspoon

  freshly crushed achromatic pepper

• Cooking spray (if baking)

• 2 quarts

  canola aliases rootlike oil, for heavy frying (or 3 tablespoons if baking)

• 1 tablespoon

  finely chopped caller parsley leaves, for garnish (optional)

• Remoulade, fry sauce, aliases ketchup, for serving

1. Peel 2 ample russet potatoes if desired. Cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick planks. Stack 2 planks connected apical of each other, past trim lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick sticks. Repeat until each nan potatoes are trim into fries (about 8 cups).

2. Fill a ample vessel pinch crystal water. Add nan fries (make judge they are wholly submerged successful nan water) and refrigerate for astatine slightest 30 minutes aliases up to 12 hours.

3. Drain nan fries and rinse nether acold water. Lay connected a room towel aliases insubstantial towels successful a azygous furniture and pat dry.

4. Place 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1 1/2 teaspoons bulb powder, 1 spoon ail powder, 1 spoon smoked paprika, 3/4 spoon dried thyme, 1/2 spoon cayenne pepper, and 1/2 spoon achromatic capsicum successful a mini vessel and operation to combine.

Option 1: Deep frying:

1. Heat 2 quarts canola aliases rootlike lipid into a ample Dutch oven aliases ample cookware complete mean power until 260ºF (a mini portion of murphy added to nan lipid should descend pinch mini bubbles astir it). Meanwhile, statement a rimmed baking expanse pinch insubstantial towels.

2. Working successful 2 aliases 3 batches, adhd nan fries to nan basking lipid and fry, stirring occasionally pinch a spider aliases slotted spoon to forestall sticking, until nan potatoes are somewhat softened but still pale, astir 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transportation to nan baking expanse and put successful a azygous layer.

3. Increase nan power to mean precocious and power nan lipid to 350ºF (a mini portion of murphy added to nan lipid should emergence to nan apical and bubble fiercely). Meanwhile, statement a 2nd baking expanse pinch insubstantial towels aliases fresh pinch a ligament rack.

4. Working successful 2 to 3 batches, fry nan fries until golden-brown and crispy, utilizing a slotted spoon to flip nan fries arsenic needed to guarantee they brownish evenly, 2 to 4 minutes. Transfer to nan 2nd baking expanse successful a azygous layer. Once you’ve fried each of nan potatoes, transportation them to nan ample bowl.

5. Sprinkle pinch nan herb blend and flip until evenly coated. Taste and play pinch much kosher brackish arsenic needed. Garnish pinch 1 tablespoonful finely chopped parsley if desired. Serve instantly pinch remoulade, fry sauce, aliases ketchup.

Option 2: Baking:

1. Arrange 2 racks to disagreement nan oven into thirds and power nan oven 425ºF. Coat 2 rimmed baking sheets pinch cooking spray.

2. Place nan fries successful a ample bowl, drizzle pinch 3 tablespoons rootlike aliases canola oil, and flip aliases operation until evenly coated. Add nan herb blend and flip to evenly coat. Transfer nan fries to nan baking sheets and put successful a azygous layer.

3. Bake for 20 minutes. Flip nan fries and rotate nan baking sheets from beforehand to backmost and betwixt racks. Bake until golden-brown, 10 to 15 minutes more. Taste and play pinch much kosher brackish arsenic needed. Garnish pinch 1 tablespoonful finely chopped parsley if desired. Serve instantly pinch remoulade, fry sauce, aliases ketchup.