Friend told me my fries were soggy. Fixed it with one change.

I used to just toss cut potatoes in oil and dump them in the basket. After like 6 months of that my buddy came over and said bro these are wet. He told me to soak the cut fries in cold water for 30 min first then dry them really good with a towel before oil. Total game changer. Now they come out crispy every time. Anyone else get called out like that?

2 comments

2 Comments

mila_campbell2510d agoTop Commenter

Wait, doesn't soaking them wash off all the starch though? I feel like that starch is what helps the outside get that nice crust in the fryer. I've had way better luck just patting them dry with paper towels after cutting, then tossing them in a little cornstarch and salt before the oil. The cornstarch gives them a real crunch without the extra step of soaking and drying. To each their own, but I'd be worried about losing that natural potato flavor by rinsing it all away.

matthewmartin10d ago

Yeah, you're right about the starch being important for crust. The phrase "losing that natural potato flavor" really stuck with me though. It's funny how in cooking we're always trying to strip things down to get the perfect texture but sometimes we lose what makes the potato taste like a potato in the first place. I've noticed that in a lot of other things too, like people over-washing rice until it's bland or soaking all the bitterness out of greens. There's a balance between prepping something right and keeping its soul. @mila_campbell25 your cornstarch method honestly sounds like the sweet spot between science and flavor.