Email
Share
Tweet
Share
With the average American enjoying about 30 pounds of French fries every year, it's no secret that fried potatoes are a favorite by many. With the right tools and techniques, you can make healthier, tastier, crisper fries at home. Two keys to fabulous home fries are the spuds you choose and how you cut them. A professional-style knife like our Epokishi AUS-10 Nakiri helps you produce superior results.
Choosing the Right Potatoes
The gold standard for excellent French fries is the russet potato, also called the Idaho potato. The features that make this variety the star of dinner tables everywhere include:
- High starch content
- Low moisture to solids ratio
- Mild flavor that pairs well with dips
- Consistent texture
- Widespread availability
Tools You Will Need for Hand-Cut Potato Fries
You must have the right tools when you're learning how to cut potatoes into fries. Sharp chef's knives and a quality cutting board make your task easier and your French fries better. Cold water helps too.
Master Fry Prep With Seido Knives
Chef Knife or Nakiri Knife
To get precise, professional-looking results, cut your fresh potatoes with a balanced, precision instrument such as our Kiritsuke Damascus Japanese Chef Knife. The curved, 8.5-inch blade is exceptionally sharp, so it's easy to make precise French fry cuts. The decorative etching and resin inlay bring unique beauty to your food prep environment.
Cutting Board
Section your potatoes on a self-healing surface that provides a solid foundation. For example, the Acacia End Grain Cutting Board creates a firm, non-slip surface for all sorts of meal prep. Plus, natural, contrasting wood tones make a lovely display when the board is not in use while the end-grain density makes the cutting board resistant to wear and tear.
Bowl of Cold Water (Optional)
Have a bowl of cold water on hand once you have made your potato cuts. Place the freshly cut fries into the water to prevent discoloration before frying. This is especially important if you're cutting them ahead of time. Also, soaking the raw fries in water helps remove some of the potato starch for a crispier result.
Prep the Potatoes for Cutting
How do you cut French fries? Start with freshly prepped potatoes, then follow the steps below:
- Wash the potatoes thoroughly.
- Scrub the skins or remove them with a peeler.
- Trim the ends of each potato for a more uniform result.
How to Cut Potatoes in Fries, Step-by-Step
Step One
Cut each potato lengthwise in half, and place each half on the cutting board, with the cut side down.
Step Two
Slice each half lengthwise into your desired French fry width, usually about half an inch or less.
Step Three
Stack up half of your slices and then cut them lengthwise again to create uniform, hand-cut potato fries. Continue with the remaining slices.
FAQs
1. How do you make thicker, steak-cut fries?
If you're wondering how to cut potatoes into wedges for steak fries, it’s easy. With the cut side down, slice your potato half lengthwise through the center. Turn each wedge so that the rounded side is on the cutting board, and divide it into halves again.
2. Can I use other potato varieties for French fries?
Absolutely, you are not limited to russets! For example, fries cut from Yukon Gold potatoes have a creamier texture. You can even make sweet potato fries with the cutting method described above.
3. Is it better to deep fry, air fry or bake?
Each method has its pros and cons. Deep-frying your cut potatoes makes them taste more like traditional fries. Air frying is the next best method since the potatoes are fried without absorbing oil. As for baking, it helps a lot if you're counting calories.
Achieve Perfect Fries With Precise Cuts
With a little practice and a great chef’s knife from Seido Knives, you can make hand-cut potato fries that are better than store-bought. It’s a fun process that always goes better with the right culinary tools.
Shop Knife Sets to Cut Potatoes Into Fries
