If you’re craving golden, crunchy, and fluffy fries that stay crispy way beyond the first bite, you’re in the right place. This Crispy Homemade French Fries Recipe is inspired by Kenji López-Alt’s innovative double-frying technique and it truly delivers fries that steal the show every time.

A white bowl lined with a white cloth holds a pile of golden-brown French fries. The fries are thin and crispy, seasoned lightly with green herb flakes scattered evenly on top. Two small sprigs of fresh rosemary, dark green in color, rest over the fries, adding a fresh touch. The bowl is set against a white marbled background, making the warm color of the fries stand out clearly. 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

I’ve tried countless homemade fry methods, but this one consistently knocks it out of the park. It’s a total game changer for when you want that perfect balance of crunch and fluff at home.

Ultimate Crispiness: Thanks to a clever blanching and double-fry process, these fries stay crisp even after cooling down.
Perfectly Fluffy Inside: The choice of floury potatoes ensures a tender, light interior.
Simple to Follow: Step-by-step method anyone can master in their kitchen, no fancy tools needed.
Customizable Seasoning: From classic sea salt to inventive nori salt, you can tailor the flavor to your liking.

Ingredients & Why They Work

When it comes to fries, the ingredients you choose make all the difference. I recommend picking up some good floury potatoes and a neutral oil for frying to get that crisp perfection. Here’s a quick look at the essentials and why they’re key to success.

Flat lay of three whole unpeeled floury potatoes with a rough natural skin, a small white ceramic bowl filled with clear white vinegar, a small white ceramic bowl of coarse kosher salt crystals, and a deep white ceramic bowl containing golden vegetable oil, placed 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: Floury types like Russet or Maris Piper are best for that crispy exterior with a soft, fluffy interior.
White Vinegar: Helps remove excess starch during blanching, keeping fries from turning mushy.
Cooking Salt/Kosher Salt: Seasoning the blanching water and fries themselves gives just the right amount of savory flavor.
Canola or Vegetable Oil: A neutral oil with a high smoke point perfect for double frying without burning.
Seasonings: Options like sea salt flakes, shaker fries seasoning, rosemary salt, or nori salt add a flavor boost to your crispy fries.

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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

One of the best parts about this Crispy Homemade French Fries Recipe is how easy it is to customize. Whether you love classic salted fries or want to experiment with bold flavors, this recipe gives you a crispy, fluffy base to build from.

Herb-Infused Fries: Toss your fries with rosemary salt right after frying for a fragrant, earthy twist. I love this variation during the holidays—it makes the fries feel extra special and festive.
Spicy Kick: Mix shaker fries seasoning with smoked paprika and a pinch of cayenne. It adds just the right amount of heat without overpowering the natural potato flavor. Perfect for game day snacks!
Seaweed Surprise: For a unique umami hit, sprinkle with nori salt once your fries are crispy and hot. This one’s a fun experiment if you want something different that pairs well with Asian-inspired dips.
Vegan Ranch Dip: Keep things vegan by pairing these fries with a homemade vegan ranch dip—loaded with fresh herbs and tangy flavors, it complements the crispy fries beautifully.
Large-Scale Prep: Planning for a crowd? After the first fry, freeze the fries on trays and store them in freezer bags. When ready to serve, cook frozen fries for 4½ minutes for that same perfect crispy texture. Great for make-ahead meals and parties!

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

A close-up of a cheeseburger and fries on a white plate placed on a white marbled surface. The cheeseburger has four main layers: the top layer is a shiny golden-brown bun with sesame seeds, below it is melted yellow cheese dripping over a dark, cooked beef patty. Under the patty, there are fresh green lettuce leaves sitting on the bottom golden bun. Next to the burger, there is a large pile of thin, golden fries with a light sheen and some salt sprinkled on them. The background is softly blurred with warm brown tones, and the lighting highlights the textures of the bun and fries. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Peel and Cut Your Potatoes

Start by peeling 1 kg of floury potatoes—Russet, Maris Piper, or similar are ideal for that fluffy inside. Using a serrated knife (if you have one), cut them into 6 mm (¼ inch) thick fries. The serrated edge helps create a rough surface that crisps up beautifully. As you cut, keep the fries submerged in a bowl of water to stop them from browning—this also prevents any early starch oxidation.

Step 2: Rinse Off Excess Starch

Transfer the cut fries into a colander and rinse them under cold tap water for 15–20 seconds. This step washes away some of the surface starch, which can cause fries to stick together or become gummy during frying. A quick rinse here makes a big difference in final texture.

Step 3: Simmer Perfectly

Place the rinsed fries in a large pot with 2 litres of cold tap water, 2 tablespoons of white vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of kosher salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then immediately lower the heat so the water just gently ripples — avoid bubbling vigorously to keep fries intact. Simmer for exactly 10 minutes. This step is crucial because the vinegar helps remove excess surface starch, and the gentle simmer softens them just enough without breaking.

Step 4: Steam Dry Your Fries

Carefully remove fries with a slotted spoon into a colander—don’t tip to avoid breakage. Spread the fries out on two trays lined with tea towels and let them steam dry for 5 minutes. This dries the surface, which is important for achieving that crispy finish during frying.

Step 5: Prepare Your Oil and Batches

Pour 1 litre of canola or vegetable oil into a tall pot, making sure the oil depth is about 3 cm (1.2 inches). Ensure you have at least 7 cm (3 inches) of space from the oil surface to the pot rim for safety. Divide your fries into three equal batches. We’ll be doing a double-fry, so this prep is key!

Step 6: First Fry - The Blanching Fry

Heat the oil to 205°C (400°F) over medium-high heat. Carefully lower one-third of your first batch into the oil, then pause for 10 seconds before adding the next third. Another 10-second pause and add the last third. This staggered lowering helps reduce excess bubbling and splattering. Fry for 50 seconds, gently moving fries occasionally so they don’t stick. Remove them to paper towel-lined trays. The fries will be pale and floppy—that’s exactly what you want. Repeat with remaining batches, making sure the oil comes back up to 205°C before each batch.

Step 7: Cool Your Fries for Crispy Success

Spread all the fried batches out so they don't stick together and leave them to cool for 30 minutes. This resting period helps the fries develop that ideal texture—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside.

Step 8: Second Fry - The Crisp Finale

Return the oil to 205°C (400°F). Fry half the cooled fries for 4 minutes, stirring twice to ensure even browning. Once golden and crispy, transfer them to a bowl lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Repeat with the remaining fries. This second fry is where the magic happens—your fries transform from floppy to irresistibly crisp perfection.

Step 9: Season and Serve Immediately

While still hot, sprinkle your fries with your choice of salt or seasoning—sea salt flakes, rosemary salt, or a shaken-up seasoned salt mix all work great. Toss to coat evenly and serve right away. These fries stay crispy even once cooled, making them perfect for snacking or serving as that crowd-pleasing side dish.

Top Tip

Getting perfectly crispy fries can be a bit elusive, but these insider tips helped me master this Crispy Homemade French Fries Recipe every single time. Trust me, they make all the difference!

Potato Choice Matters: Using floury potatoes like Russet or Maris Piper is a game-changer. I learned the hard way that waxy potatoes just don't crisp up the same.
Blanching Technique: Simmer your fries gently—just a gentle ripple on the surface—to avoid breakage and get that perfect fluffy interior.
Double Frying: The 10-second pauses when adding fries during the first fry really helps reduce oil bubbling. It’s a small step that makes frying safer and more even.
Season Wisely: Since the fries are lightly salted during blanching, I always add my seasoning sparingly at first and adjust to taste. Over-seasoning is surprisingly easy to do!

How to Serve Crispy Homemade French Fries Recipe

A close-up image shows a woman's hand holding a sharp knife, slicing peeled potatoes into thick sticks on a light cutting board. On the right side, there is a small pile of cut potato sticks with a pale yellow color and smooth texture. The background is a white marbled surface, keeping the focus on the potatoes and the slicing action. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

These fries are a blank canvas for flavors! Classic salt or sea salt flakes work beautifully. For something different, try rosemary salt for a fragrant herbal touch, or sprinkle nori salt for a subtle umami kick. You can even toss them with your favorite shaker fries seasoning for a bit of zing.

Side Dishes

Crispy fries are a perfect companion to juicy burgers, grilled chicken, or a hearty steak. For a veggie-packed meal, serve alongside a fresh garden salad or roasted veggies. These fries also pair wonderfully with classic dips like aioli, ketchup, or even smoky chipotle mayo.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftovers (though I doubt you will!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat carefully to keep them crispy.

Freezing

This recipe freezes brilliantly! After the first fry, let the fries cool completely, then freeze them spread out on trays. Once frozen, transfer to freezer bags or containers. When ready to eat, just fry them from frozen for 4½ minutes—easy and still deliciously crispy.

Reheating

For best texture, reheat leftover or frozen fries by flash-frying them in hot oil for 30 seconds to 1 minute. This revives their golden crispness much better than microwaving.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why use white vinegar when simmering the fries?

White distilled vinegar helps remove excess surface starch from the potatoes, preventing them from becoming mushy and helping achieve that sought-after crispiness.

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

Absolutely! A serrated knife roughens the surface slightly to enhance crispiness, but if you don’t have one, using a sharp regular knife will still yield deliciously crispy fries.

How long do these fries stay crispy after cooking?

Thanks to the double-frying method, these fries stay crispy for at least 15 minutes, even after cooling. Perfect if you want to make ahead or serve them at a gathering.

What’s the best oil to use for frying?

Canola or vegetable oil with a high smoke point works best. They allow the fries to fry hot and fast without burning, ensuring a golden, crispy finish.

Final Thoughts

Making perfect crispy fries at home might seem a little involved at first, but once you follow this Crispy Homemade French Fries Recipe, you’ll never want to buy frozen ones again. The satisfaction of biting into fries that are crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and stay crisp even as they cool is simply unbeatable. Don’t be intimidated by the steps—embrace the process, and treat yourself and your loved ones to the kind of fries that truly elevate any meal. Happy frying!