Best 6 Chef Johns French Fries Recipes

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Crispy, golden-brown French fries are a beloved snack and side dish enjoyed worldwide. Originating in Belgium, these deep-fried potato strips have become a staple in fast-food restaurants and home kitchens alike. This article presents a collection of French fry recipes ranging from classic to unique variations, ensuring there's a perfect recipe for every taste and occasion.

Get ready to embark on a culinary journey as we explore the art of making perfect French fries. Discover Chef John's signature recipe, known for its simplicity and unbeatable flavor. For those seeking a healthier alternative, indulge in air fryer French fries that deliver a satisfying crunch without the added oil. Explore the tantalizing world of curly fries, shoestring fries, and waffle fries, each with its distinct texture and appeal. Spice things up with Cajun-seasoned fries or add a cheesy twist with Parmesan-herb fries. Whether you prefer classic or adventurous flavors, this article has the perfect French fry recipe to satisfy your cravings.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

BEST BAKED FRENCH FRIES



Best Baked French Fries image

The healthiest way to make fries is to bake them. It saves money and you can't beat the taste. I have been playing around with different ways to bake fries for some time now, and I feel this is the best recipe thus far. Baking time may vary depending on how thick you cut the fries. Enjoy!

Provided by Life Tastes Good

Categories     Side Dish     Potato Side Dish Recipes

Time 1h10m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 7

cooking spray
6 Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into thick fries
1 tablespoon white sugar
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder, or more to taste
1 teaspoon salt, or more to taste
1 teaspoon ground black pepper, or more to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil; spray with cooking spray.
  • Place sliced potatoes in a colander; sprinkle sugar over potatoes. Set aside until liquid is released from potatoes, 20 to 30 minutes. Drain liquid and dry potatoes well.
  • Mix potato slices, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a resealable bag until evenly coated. Spread coated potato slices in a single layer, leaving space around each potato, on the prepared baking sheet.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes; flip fries and continue baking until crisp and browned, about 20 more minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 388.4 calories, Carbohydrate 59.8 g, Fat 14.4 g, Fiber 7.2 g, Protein 6.6 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Sodium 601 mg, Sugar 5.8 g

CHEF JOHN'S COTTAGE FRIES



Chef John's Cottage Fries image

While they don't get the same love as French fries, home fries, or steak fries, cottage fries more than hold their own against their potato side dish fraternity brothers.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Side Dish     Potato Side Dish Recipes

Time 1h10m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 5

4 baking (russet) potatoes, sliced into 3/8-inch thick rounds
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
1 pinch herbes de provence, or to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and set aside.
  • Combine potatoes, salt, ground black pepper, cayenne pepper, and herbes de provence in a large bowl. Drizzle olive oil over potatoes and stir to evenly coat.
  • Place potatoes on baking sheet, spaced evenly, and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.
  • Remove from oven, flip over each potato slice, and return to the oven for another 15 minutes. Continue cooking and flipping until potatoes are well browned, about 30 minutes. Potatoes should be crispy around edges, but still soft in the center.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 186.9 calories, Carbohydrate 29 g, Fat 6.9 g, Fiber 3.1 g, Protein 3.4 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 332.1 mg, Sugar 1.6 g

QUICK & CRISPY HOME FRIES



Quick & Crispy Home Fries image

In order to get a crispy crust like the fries at your local diner you need to precook and cool them. When you pan fry a cold starch, it gets a beautifully crispy surface.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Side Dish     Potato Side Dish Recipes

Time 45m

Yield 2

Number Of Ingredients 9

3 large russet potatoes, peeled and quartered
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
¼ teaspoon paprika
cayenne pepper to taste
1 pinch garlic powder
1 pinch onion powder
1 tablespoon Chopped fresh chives

Steps:

  • Arrange potato pieces evenly on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high until just tender, about 4 minutes. Let cool to room temperature. Cut potatoes into bite-size chunks.
  • Heat butter and olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. When butter melts and starts to turn brown, swirl the pan and add the potatoes. Shake pan to arrange in an even layer. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
  • As potatoes brown, toss them and keep turning them every few minutes until they are crusty and crispy-edged and a rich reddish-brown color, 10 to 12 minutes. If potatoes seem to be cooking too quickly, reduce heat to medium. Serve topped with chopped chives.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 612.5 calories, Carbohydrate 101.1 g, Cholesterol 15.3 mg, Fat 19.8 g, Fiber 7.4 g, Protein 12.1 g, SaturatedFat 5.6 g, Sodium 146.9 mg, Sugar 3.8 g

AIR FRYER FRENCH FRIES



Air Fryer French Fries image

Since I missed the whole Instant Pot® train, I had to make at least one air fryer recipe while they're still hot. And it doesn't get more classic than French fries; the generally accepted technique is pretty, dare I say, airtight, at this point, but I do have one extra trick in store! Finally, dip them in honey mustard, spicy ketchup, garlic aioli, or all 3 mixed together, like I did.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Side Dish     Potato Side Dish Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 4

1 pound russet potatoes, peeled
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 pinch cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon kosher salt

Steps:

  • Cut each potato lengthwise into 3/8-inch-thick slices. Slice sections into sticks also about 3/8 inch-wide.
  • Cover potatoes with water and let soak for 5 minutes to release excess starches. Drain and cover with boiling water by a few inches (or place in a bowl of boiling water). Let sit for 10 minutes.
  • Drain potatoes and transfer onto some paper towels. Blot off the excess water and let cool completely, at least 10 minutes. Transfer into a mixing bowl; drizzle with oil, season with cayenne, and toss to coat.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Stack potatoes in a double layer in the fryer basket. Cook for 15 minutes. Slide basket out and toss fries; continue frying until golden brown, about 10 minutes more. Toss fries with salt in a mixing bowl. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 107.6 calories, Carbohydrate 19.9 g, Fat 2.4 g, Fiber 2.5 g, Protein 2.3 g, SaturatedFat 0.4 g, Sodium 246.8 mg, Sugar 0.9 g

DUCK FAT STEAK FRIES



Duck Fat Steak Fries image

You know a potato side dish is going to be good when 75% of the name refers to fat or meat. These super-crusty, oven-fried potato wedges, or 'steak fries' as they call them where I'm from, are done with rendered duck fat, and while I'm a big fan of ones done with olive oil and/or butter, these really are better.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Side Dish     Potato Side Dish Recipes

Time 1h15m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 large russet potatoes, each cut into 8 thick steak fry-size wedges
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
1 pinch cayenne pepper
salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons duck fat, melted, or more to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
  • Place potato wedges in a bowl; sprinkle thyme, cayenne, salt, and black pepper over the top. Drizzle melted duck fat over potatoes and toss to coat.
  • Transfer potatoes, skin-side down, to the prepared baking sheet. Season wedges again with salt.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. Increase oven temperature to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Turn potatoes onto their sides and bake for 10 minutes. Flip over and cook on the other side until golden brown, about 10 minutes more.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 203 calories, Carbohydrate 33.5 g, Cholesterol 6.4 mg, Fat 6.6 g, Fiber 2.5 g, Protein 4 g, SaturatedFat 2.2 g, Sodium 9.3 mg, Sugar 1.1 g

CAJUN BAKED FRENCH FRIES



Cajun Baked French Fries image

Amazing flavor and healthy too! Friends and family always rave about them, and they're even a hit with my 2 and 3 year old.

Provided by Kristina Harrison Krueger

Categories     Side Dish     Potato Side Dish Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 7

¼ cup olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon sea salt
6 large baking potatoes, sliced into thin wedges

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  • Mix olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, Cajun seasoning, and sea salt in a large resealable bag. Add potatoes and toss to evenly coat with seasoned oil. Spread coated potatoes in 1 layer onto a baking sheet.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes. Stir potatoes with a spatula and continue cooking until crisp, about 10 more minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 368.9 calories, Carbohydrate 65.5 g, Fat 9.4 g, Fiber 8.4 g, Protein 7.7 g, SaturatedFat 1.4 g, Sodium 399.4 mg, Sugar 3.1 g

Tips:

  • Choose the right potatoes: Russet potatoes are the best choice for French fries because they have a high starch content and a low sugar content. This makes them crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
  • Cut the potatoes evenly: This will help them cook evenly. The ideal size for French fries is about 1/4-inch thick and 3 inches long.
  • Soak the potatoes in water: This will help to remove excess starch, which can make the fries gummy.
  • Dry the potatoes thoroughly: This will help them crisp up in the oil.
  • Use a good quality oil: A high-smoke-point oil, such as canola or peanut oil, is best for frying French fries. Avoid using olive oil, as it has a low smoke point and can burn easily.
  • Fry the potatoes in batches: This will prevent them from sticking together and ensure that they cook evenly.
  • Don't overcrowd the pan: This will also prevent the fries from sticking together and ensure that they cook evenly.
  • Shake the pan occasionally: This will help the fries cook evenly and prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
  • Cook the fries until they are golden brown and crispy: This will take about 5-7 minutes.
  • Drain the fries on paper towels: This will help to remove excess oil.
  • Season the fries immediately: This will help the seasoning to stick to the fries.

Conclusion:

French fries are a classic side dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With the right ingredients and techniques, you can make delicious French fries at home that are just as good as the ones you get from a restaurant. So next time you're craving French fries, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!

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