With these homemade French fries, who needs takeout? These fries are satisfying, delicious, and as fresh as it gets!

french fries - a plateful of french fries with salt and a ketchup sauce

French fries are really the best side for almost any dish. They’re definitely one of the most popular ways to serve the humble potato. And it’s hard to find someone who doesn’t love them!

Homemade fries are even better than anything you can get from a restaurant. Once you’ve had them straight out of the fryer, you’ll be hooked, and I, Rebecca of Good Things Baking haven’t stopped making them ever since.

The outside of the fries is crispy, while the insides are soft and melt in your mouth. They make for the perfect snack or side dish. It’s a great snack for movie nights or football watch parties!

how to make french fries - chopped potatos in a cutting board and a knife

Table of Contents

Ingredients for Homemade French Fries

Russet potatoes — About 4-5 potatoes, depending on the size
Oil — Use a neutrally flavored oil with a high smoke point. Vegetable oil, canola oil, and peanut oil are all great options for frying.
Sea salt — Sprinkle this generously on your fries immediately after they’re finished frying so that it sticks well. You can substitute with kosher salt and pepper, but I love the coarse texture and crunch of sea salt added to home fries.

Tools Needed to Make Homemade French Fries

You don’t have to have any fancy equipment like a deep fryer to make these French fries. You can use a regular pot and metal slotted spoon if that’s what you have on hand!

We do recommend using a frying thermometer when deep frying, as the temperature of the oil can affect how your fries cook.

homemade french fries - dipping french fries in ketchup

How to Prep Home Fries

Step 1 — Wash the raw potatoes well. If you wish, peel your potatoes or leave the skins on.

Step 2 — Cut the potatoes into slices between 1/2″ and 3/4″ thick and lengthwise to make matchsticks.

french fry recipe - close up photo of sliced potato on a cutting board

Step 3 — Add the potatoes to a large bowl and cover them with cold water. Soak them for at least 1 hour or up to 12 hours. If you plan to soak the potatoes for more than an hour, refrigerate them while doing so. Don’t let them soak too long, or they will start to break down.

To Fry the Potatoes

Step 1 — Set out a pot that’s at least 6 quarts, and pour 3-4″ of a neutrally flavored oil into it.

Step 2 — Heat the oil to 325° Fahrenheit. Use a frying thermometer to monitor the temperature.

Step 3 — While the oil is heating, place a cooling rack over a baking sheet to hold your hot fries so the oil can drain off.

Step 4 — Remove the fries from the water, then pat them dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. If they are wet when added to hot oil, they will pop and splatter.

Step 5 — Place a layer of fries in the oil, but don’t fill the pot.

Step 6 — Use a metal slotted spoon or skimmer to stir the French fries, so they don’t stick together.

how to make homemade french fries - golden french fries being scooped out of the pan

Step 7 — Fry for 3-4 minutes, then remove them from the hot oil. The fries should still be pale and slightly firm when you poke them with a fork.

Step 8 — Repeat this step with the remaining potatoes until all of the French fries are cooked, allowing the oil to reheat to 325° F between batches.

Step 9 — Cool the fries in the refrigerator until they are completely chilled. This should take about an hour, but they can be frozen or refrigerated for up to 24 hours at this stage.

Step 10 — When you want to finish frying, heat the oil in the pan to 425° Fahrenheit.

Step 11 — Fry the potatoes for another 4-5 minutes or until they are golden brown. The exterior should be crispy when you take them out of the oil,

But it will soften a little bit as they cool. Place the fries on the cooling rack.

Step 12 — Sprinkle the homemade French fries generously with salt, and serve them while they’re still warm.

If you’re making them for a party, they plate beautifully in our DIY Ombre Fry Stands.

best french fries - 2 slices of french fries dipped on a ketchup

Why Soak Potatoes for French Fries?

One of the keys to making great homemade french fries is soaking the potatoes beforehand. Soaking the potatoes helps to remove excess starch, which can result in soggy or greasy fries.

It also helps to ensure that the potatoes will cook evenly. For best results, soak the potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes and up to 12 hours. Then, drain the potatoes and pat them dry before frying.

Recipe Notes and Tips

Russet potatoes are the best variety of potatoes to use for homemade French fries. They have a low moisture content and are high in fiber, which results in crisp, fluffy fries.
When cutting your fries, try to make them approximately the same size. A little variation is fine, but they will cook more evenly if they are about the same thickness.
This recipe is very easy to double or triple, depending on how many fries you want. See the notes below for making ahead and freezing!
When heating your oil, be sure to monitor it. If it gets too hot, it could cause the glass on your frying thermometer to break. If this happens, do not use that oil. Allow it cool, and then dispose of it.

easy french fries - close up shot of golden french fries

How to Freeze French Fries

If you want to freeze your French fries, they freeze really well after the first round of frying.

After the first round of frying, place the fries in a single layer on a baking sheet. Put the sheet in the freezer until they are frozen solid.

Transfer the frozen fries to a freezer-safe container or bag and store them in the freezer for up to two months. To finish frying them, thaw the frozen fries in the refrigerator. Continue with the second frying and salting.

More Easy Bites and Appetizers

Throwing a game day party or just looking for more quick and easy snacks? Check out a few of our favorites from our archives —