If you’ve ever craved fries that are perfectly crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, you’re going to love this Crispy Homemade French Fries Recipe. It’s a hands-on approach that turns ordinary potatoes into extraordinary fries that stay crispy even after they cool down—a true game changer in the kitchen.

A white bowl lined with white paper holds a pile of golden-yellow French fries with a crispy texture. On top and scattered throughout the fries are small green herb flakes, giving a fresh look. Two fresh rosemary sprigs with dark green, needle-like leaves rest on top of the fries. The background is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Crispy Homemade French Fries Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Crispy Homemade French Fries Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Crispy Homemade French Fries Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, I never believed homemade fries could beat those crispy golden ones from my favorite takeout—until I tried this method adapted from Kenji López-Alt’s The Food Lab. Now, I make fries at home that rival any fast-food joint, and here’s why you’ll fall for them too.

Extra Crispy Texture: The double frying technique seals in the crunch while keeping the inside soft and fluffy.
Long-Lasting Crunch: These fries stay crispy for at least 15 minutes even when they’ve cooled, perfect for snacking or serving later.
Simple Ingredients: Just potatoes, oil, vinegar, and salt—no fancy additives needed.
Customizable Seasonings: From basic sea salt flakes to rosemary or nori salt, you can dress these fries however you like.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The secret to perfect fries starts with choosing the right kind of potato and a few smart techniques. Using starchy, floury potatoes is key—they give you fries that crisp up beautifully and stay fluffy inside.

Flat lay of three large brushed Russet potatoes with rough brown skin, a small white ceramic bowl of clear white distilled vinegar, a small white ceramic bowl of coarse kosher salt crystals, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden canola oil, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Potatoes: I recommend floury varieties like Russet, Idaho, or Maris Piper for that ideal balance of crispiness and fluff.
White vinegar: It might seem odd at first, but this helps prevent the fries from becoming mushy by reducing excess starch during simmering.
Cooking salt or kosher salt: Adds flavor and supports the blanching process to make fries crispier.
Canola or vegetable oil: Choose a neutral oil with a high smoke point for safe frying and a clean taste.
Seasonings: Salt is a must, but feel free to experiment with shaker fries seasoning, rosemary salt, or even nori salt for a unique twist.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

The great thing about this Crispy Homemade French Fries Recipe is how easily you can make it your own. Whether you're craving traditional salty fries or want to experiment with unique flavors, there’s plenty of room to personalize these golden delights.

Seasoned to perfection: I love adding rosemary salt for a fragrant twist that brings out the earthy aroma of the potatoes—it's like a little herb garden on your plate!
Spicy kick: For an extra layer of flavor, sprinkle shaker fries seasoning mixed with a touch of smoked paprika. It turns classic fries into a tantalizing treat perfect for game day.
Seaweed surprise: Nori salt is a fun, umami-packed variation that’s becoming my go-to when I want something different but still crave that crispy texture.
Dietary swaps: These fries are naturally vegetarian, and by using oil like canola or vegetable, they stay allergy-friendly and neutral in taste for any dipping sauce you fancy.
Freezing for convenience: Make a double batch and freeze the fries after the first fry. Just give them a quick re-fry from frozen at 205°C for about 4 minutes 30 seconds when you want crispy fries in a hurry.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Crispy Homemade French Fries Recipe

A juicy burger with a shiny toasted sesame seed bun on top, a layer of melted orange cheese dripping over a thick, brown beef patty, fresh green lettuce at the bottom, all stacked inside the bun. Next to the burger is a pile of thin, golden French fries sprinkled with coarse salt, placed on a white plate. The whole scene sits on a white marbled surface with a soft, warm light shining on the food. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep and Cut Your Potatoes Just Right

I start by peeling the potatoes and slicing them into 6 mm (¼ inch) thick fries. Using a serrated knife really helps create a rough surface, giving the fries that extra crunch later. While you slice, keep your cut fries submerged in a bowl of water—this simple step prevents them from browning before you’re ready to cook.

Step 2: Rinse and Simmer Gently to Remove Excess Starch

After cutting, transfer the fries to a colander and rinse under cold tap water for about 15 to 20 seconds. Then, place them in a large pot with 2 litres of cold water, along with 2 tablespoons of white vinegar and 1 tablespoon of cooking salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low so the water just ripples gently—no vigorous bubbling. Simmer the fries for 10 minutes to gently remove starch and sugars, which is key to achieving a golden crisp.

Step 3: Dry those Fries Thoroughly

Carefully scoop out the fries with a slotted spoon (don’t tip the whole pot into the colander as fries can break). Spread them out on two trays lined with tea towels to steam dry for 5 minutes. This extra drying helps the fries crisp up in the oil without spitting or splattering.

Step 4: Heat Your Oil and Prepare Batches

I pour about 3 cm (1.2 inches) of canola oil into a deep pot that’s at least 10 cm (4 inches) tall, leaving about 7 cm of headspace for safety to avoid oil bubbling over. Divide your fries into three equal batches, so they cook evenly without overcrowding the oil.

Step 5: First Fry – Setting the Foundation for Crispiness

Heat the oil to 205°C (400°F). Lower one-third of the first batch into the hot oil with a slotted spoon, then pause for 10 seconds before adding the next third. Pause again for another 10 seconds before adding the last third. This pauses keeps the oil from bubbling up too violently. Fry for 50 seconds, gently stirring once or twice, then remove and drain the fries on paper towels in a single layer. Repeat this process with batches two and three, ensuring the oil returns to the correct temperature before each fry.

Step 6: Let Them Cool for Maximum Crispness

After the first fry, let all the fries rest and cool down for 30 minutes. This resting period is essential—it lets the fries set up so they’ll crisp beautifully during the second fry.

Step 7: Second Fry – Golden and Crispy Perfection

Heat the oil back up to 205°C (400°F). Fry half the fries for 4 minutes, moving them gently twice to ensure even browning. You’ll notice the fries turn that perfect golden brown with a wonderfully crispy exterior while staying fluffy inside. Drain them on paper towels, then repeat with the remaining fries.

Step 8: Season and Serve Immediately

Right after frying, sprinkle your fries with the seasoning of your choice—whether that's simple sea salt flakes, fragrant rosemary salt, or something more adventurous like nori salt. Toss well to coat evenly, then serve while hot. Enjoy fries that stay crispy even after cooling for at least 15 minutes—no soggy fries here!

Top Tip

Mastering the art of the perfect Crispy Homemade French Fries Recipe is all about those little details that add up to big crunch and fluffy goodness. Here are some tips I've gathered through trial and error to help you nail it every time!

Vinegar Simmering: Don’t skip the vinegar in the simmer water—it’s a game changer that prevents soggy fries by reducing starch and keeping the fries from turning mushy during blanching.
Patience with Oil Temperature: Always let the oil return to the right 205°C (400°F) before adding your fries batches. This avoids greasy, limp fries and ensures even crispy results.
The 10-Second Pause: When adding fries at the first fry stage, pausing 10 seconds between thirds reduces dangerous oil bubbling and splashing—plus it helps keep your fries intact and crunchy.
Steam-Dry Before Frying: Letting fries steam dry for those 5 minutes after blanching gives a better crust, so don’t rush this step even if you’re eager to dig in.

How to Serve Crispy Homemade French Fries Recipe

A close-up image of a woman's hand holding a silver knife slicing light yellow potato sticks on a beige cutting board. On the right side, there is a small pile of evenly cut potato sticks with smooth edges. The texture of the potato is firm and smooth, with the knife positioned vertically, slicing the potato into thin pieces. The background is a white marbled texture photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

While classic sea salt flakes are a fantastic choice, don’t hesitate to get creative with your seasonings. Rosemary salt adds an aromatic, herby note; shaker fries seasoning can bring a spicy kick; and nori salt provides an umami-rich twist that complements the fries wonderfully. For a fun touch, toss your fries with some grated Parmesan and chopped fresh parsley for an extra layer of flavor.

Side Dishes

Crispy homemade fries are a perfect partner to juicy burgers, grilled chicken, or even crispy fish for a classic combo. For something lighter, pair with a fresh garden salad or coleslaw to balance the richness. And don’t forget a dipping sauce like garlic aioli, spicy ketchup, or even a tangy mustard to elevate the fry experience.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have any leftovers (which is rare!), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll keep well for up to 2 days, but the texture might soften slightly. To preserve crunch, reheat them quickly in a hot oven or in a hot pan rather than the microwave.

Freezing

These fries freeze beautifully! After completing the first fry and cooling them fully, spread the fries evenly on trays and freeze until solid. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. When you’re ready, cook them straight from frozen at 205°C (400°F) for about 4 minutes 30 seconds for perfectly crispy fries anytime.

Reheating

To bring back that just-fried crispiness, reheat your fries in a preheated oven at 200°C (about 400°F) for 5 to 10 minutes, or give them a quick flash fry in hot oil for 30 seconds to 1 minute. This warms them through while refreshing the crunch without drying them out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What type of potatoes work best for these fries?

Use floury or starchy potatoes like Russet, Idaho, Maris Piper, Sebago, or King Edward. These varieties yield the crispiest fries with light, fluffy interiors.

Why do I need to add vinegar when blanching the fries?

The white vinegar helps break down excess starch and prevents the fries from turning mushy. It’s a key step in achieving that perfect crispiness.

Can I use a regular knife instead of a serrated knife?

Yes! A serrated knife helps create a rough surface for extra crispiness, but a regular knife works just fine. Your fries will still turn out delicious.

How do I keep the oil from bubbling over during the first fry?

Adding fries in thirds with a 10-second pause between each addition reduces aggressive bubbling and splashing, keeping you safe and your fries intact.

Final Thoughts

Making the perfect Crispy Homemade French Fries Recipe takes a little time, patience, and care—but the results are absolutely worth it. I love how these fries come out golden and crunchy on the outside, yet tender and fluffy inside, and they stay crispy even when cooled! Whether you're crafting a classic snack or a show-stopping side, this recipe will elevate your homemade fry game. So grab your potatoes, fire up the oil, and enjoy fries that may just become your new favorite comfort food.