OMG. I am writing this while I have at least a third degree burn on my pointer finger (yes, I can be dramatic).
We went out for sushi with our little family and my little brother and my girlfriend and I ordered (to the kids great delight) the kind of steak and vegetables that you can cook at the table on a hot stone. They were having an awesome time doing that, until Pia decided to grab the edge of the “hot stone” which was really a mini cast iron pan. Um, she burned herself. To see how bad it was, and because I truly assumed it wasn’t that bad, I grabbed it after her. Now I have very “seasoned” hands. I had also had 1 ½ martini’s at this point. And let me tell you- it hurts like hell. It is blistered and the whole 9 yards. I think I held onto the pan for a few seconds longer than Pia. I blame the vodka. Either way, I suppose I deserve the burn, but I feel so bad fir Pia, and I burned myself out of love.
Much like I made these fries out of love for Pia. (haha! did you like my segway?!) You see, French fries are allergy free around here ☺ They are gluten, dairy, egg, soy and sugar free. Plus all that other stuff she is allergic too-free. And they happen to be completely awesome and delicious and 100% comfort kid food- right?
Maybe grown-up comfort food too. So even if you aren’t all riddled with crazy allergies, who doesn’t pine for a big old batch of insane French fries? Well, these are the best. Kind of fast food style- thin and crispy and delicious. If you are feeling adventurous this weekend- go for it. They are slightly time consuming- but surprisingly easy and very simple- so don’t be intimidated. Enjoy!
Also, the moral of the story is: don’t touch hot pans.
This is how you make these perfect skinny crispy French fries: Peel and Slice potatoes.
Place potatoes and vinegar in a pot and add 2 quarts of water and 2 tablespoons of salt. Bring to a boil over high heat. Boil for 8 minutes. Potatoes should be tender, but not falling apart.
Drain and spread on paper towel-lined rimmed baking sheet. Allow to dry for at least five minutes.
Meanwhile, heat oil in 5-quart Dutch oven to 400°F.
Add 1/4 of fries to oil (oil temperature should not drop lower than 350 degrees). Cook for about 60-90 seconds, stiting occasionally with wire mesh spider strainer. When they are done, then remove to second paper-towel lined rimmed baking sheet.
Repeat with remaining potatoes (working in two more batches), allowing oil to return to 400°F after each addition.
Allow potatoes to cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes.
Return oil to 400°F over high heat. Fry the fries in batches (for the second time) until crisp and light golden brown, about 2-3 minutes, adjusting heat to maintain at around 350-375°F.
Drain in a bowl lined with paper towels and season immediately with kosher salt.
Serve immediately.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into match-stick sized fries (keep potatoes stored in a bowl of water while you are slicing)
- 4 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
- Kosher salt
- 2 quarts canola oil
Instructions
- After peeling and slicing potatoes, place potatoes and vinegar in a pot and add 2 quarts of water and 2 tablespoons of salt. Bring to a boil over high heat. Boil for 8 minutes. Potatoes should be tender, but not falling apart.
- Drain and spread on paper towel-lined rimmed baking sheet. Allow to dry for at least five minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat oil in 5-quart Dutch oven to 400°F.
- Add 1/4 of fries to oil (oil temperature should not drop lower than 350 degrees). Cook for about 60-90 seconds, stiting occasionally with wire mesh spider strainer. When they are done, then remove to second paper-towel lined rimmed baking sheet.
- Repeat with remaining potatoes (working in two more batches), allowing oil to return to 400°F after each addition.
- Allow potatoes to cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes.
- Return oil to 400°F over high heat. Fry the fries in batches (for the second time) until crisp and light golden brown, about 2-3 minutes, adjusting heat to maintain at around 350-375°F. Drain in a bowl lined with paper towels and season immediately with kosher salt. Cooked fries can be kept hot and crisp on a wire rack set on a sheet tray in a 200°F oven while second batch is cooked. Serve immediately.
Preparation time: 30 minute(s)
Cooking time: 20 minute(s)
Number of servings (yield): 6
Your fries are gorgeous! I posted fries yesterday! I really have a craving to make more now 🙂 pinned
Perfection!
These are gorgeous! You could give In N Out Burger a run for their money!
So yummy and crispy! I’ll definatly try my best to avoid touching hot pans!
Who doe snot love skinny fries?!? These look awesome!
Oh I feel for you, and poor little Pia. I hope she’s not burned too badly.
I once dipped my index finder into a pan of hot fudge (read boiling sugar) – because, it had been off the hob for like a whole 20 seconds, so it’s definitely going to be cool enough yeah? (I’ll chalk it up to a momentary lapse of reason) – so I really do know how painful, and also annoying having a blister on your fingertip is.
Hope you heal quickly.
That’ll be index finger, not finder.
lol! Thank you 🙂 I have had that stuff splash on my arm and burn down to the bone before- not good.
Holy delicious! I actually prefer skinny fries, but always seem to make big thick wedges….totally trying this!
Love skinny fries, these are perfection!
Oh I could soooo go for these right now! Love!!
I shouldn’t have clicked over, now I NEED French fries! Love these!
LOVE shoestring fries!! So sorry to read about the burns ~ quick recovery to you both!
Yikes! Though touching a hot pan after my child definitely sounds like something I’d do too – hope you heal soon!
And these fries. I always pick out the crispy skinny fries first, because they are my favorite – I definitely couldn’t be trusted around an entire batch!
Reading your post brought back memories…of moronic, self-inflcted burns, and my father making homemade French Fries every once in awhile. What a treat! He died 20 years ago, and would be 104 if still living. I realize now how fortunate I was to be brought up on his turn of the century, old fashioned cooking. Hope your burn is all better. I find burns the hardest pain to tolerate.
hey french fries would be good right now espically bo jangles
Hello Heather. Beautiful pictures you’ve got there. I would love to use your images for my french fries packaging in Chile. Could you please consider this idea and get back to me? Thank you very much,
Regards,
Helen.
Your blog needs better proof reading, AND you are misinformed
when you tell readers to use canola oil, which is extracted from
toxic ingredients.
These two problems indicate a low information blahg, and I haven’t
even dealt with your problems in grammar
Cheyenne- You are as rude as they come. Please feel free to not come back to my sub-par “blahg”
I used to use a spider when making fries, but man oh man it got to be a chore. So I finally bought a basket that fits my dutch oven. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00063RXPG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Life is so much easier making homemade fries now.
Nice recipe, looks great. But I’ve tried both rinse with water and soak for 30 minutes or so, then double fry.
Also tried a recipe similar to this. So far I prefer the texture of rinse/soak and double fry over the parboil and fry.