Homemade Double Fried French Fries
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Why You’re Going to Love This Double Fried French Fries Recipe
- Easy: These doubled fried fries are extremely simple to make with only a few ingredients! Who doesn’t love a good homemade French fry recipe on a weeknight? Dinner is ready in no time!
- Delicious: These fries have the perfect balance of crispy and soft. Since they’re homemade from whole potatoes, you’ll really get to experience those delicious comfort flavors.
- Versatile: Perfect with melted cheddar cheeses or Parmesan, seasoning blends, truffle oil, chili, shakshuka, buffalo chicken, or just by themselves! You can never go wrong with the classic: ketchup and fries.
- Pantry-friendly: That’s right. This recipe is pantry-friendly which means it’s also super budget-friendly. Got some extra potatoes lying around, All you need are just a few simple pantry ingredients to get this recipe started.
A Trip Down Memory Lane
When I was little, we never bought frozen french fries, my Mom always made them homemade, cutting them up with her “Veg-O-Matic” and frying them in her “Fry Daddy.” These french fries are the ones that I grew up on, but in the age of convenience, I just don’t make them very often.
My two older kids were telling my twins, who are about 6 years younger, how we “always” use to make homemade french fries in our old house. So, I thought it was time to break out the Veg-O-Matic and dust off the fry baby fryer.
The Veg-O-Matic
Ever heard of a Veg-O-Matic? This was how we ALWAYS made our french fries. Simply peeled and washed the potatoes, place the potato on the blades, and pressed down, and french fries came out the bottom! AMAZING when I was a kid! (you know we didn’t have cable back then, right?)
Well, the story of where I got my Veg-O-Matic is a sad but sweet one. I didn’t get it from my mom like you probably suspected.
True Love
In 1997, my husband’s paternal grandparents passed away on the very same day within hours of one another. They were still very active, and his grandmother had come home after golfing. She found him in his favorite chair. The rescue squad came and took him to the hospital in a nearby town.
We had gotten the call, and my husband jumped in the car to drive there. By the time he had arrived, they said that his grandmother wasn’t doing very well either, and a short while later passed away. The doctors said she died of a broken heart. So, after 62 years of marriage, they were buried side by side on the same day. For anyone that ever tells you that true love doesn’t exist, you can tell them they never met Grandma and Grandpa Kenkel!
Old Fashioned French Fry Maker
When they had their estate sale, all of the items for sale were set up on flatbed trailers outside of their home. Years and years of stuff, boxed up and auctioned off. My husband and I wandered through looking through the boxes and I saw peeking out of the bottom of one …a Veg-O-Matic! I had to have it! We purchased that whole box of odds and ends and the french fry maker is in my cupboard and always will be.
Best Potatoes For French Fries
Ever wonder what type of potatoes you should use for your big French fries? Well, most commonly, Russet potatoes are used for homemade fries. Russet potatoes are mainly used because they are incredibly low in moisture, but high in starch content. Who likes soggy fries?
Although Russet potatoes should be your first choice, you can also use Yukon Gold potatoes. These waxy potatoes have a perfect buttery flavor that speaks volumes.
Skins on or off?
Honestly, I like to peel the skins of my potatoes, but people enjoy them in different ways. If you are wanting to leave the potato skins on for the homemade fries, then you will need to make sure to thoroughly scrub the potato skins with water and a brush.
How many potatoes per person when making homemade fries?
You will need about four whole potatoes per person for homemade French fries. Alternatively, you can use a kitchen scale and weigh the potatoes out to 6-7 ounces per person.
Ingredients For Double Fried French Fries
Potatoes– Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes
Oil– I used vegetable oil for frying these double-fried French fries, but you can use almost any type of vegetable oil.
Salt– I like sea salt for this recipe. You can use kosher, Himalayan, or any other sea salt. Wanna spice things up? Try this French Fry Seasoning!
Can you make French fries ahead?
Sure! You can definitely cut the French fries beforehand, which would allow the moisture to draw out of them quite well. Just be sure to soak them in the water! If you’re not using them immediately, then store the cut potatoes in the refrigerator or freezer.
How to Reheat:
When ready to reheat your homemade French fries, then heat some oil in a thin layer in a pan, and once heated, refry the fries. Stir and toss around until evenly heated. You can also reheat the fries in the microwave, but we recommend reheating the fries in oil for that perfect crisp.
Best Oil Temp for French Fries
The best oil temperature for French fries is around 300°Fahrenheit. If your oil isn’t hot enough, then you’ll end up with soggy fries. Once you’re ready to double fry you’re fries, then you’ll need to increase the oil temperature to 400°F.
Best Oil for French Fries
There are a handful of different oils that are good for frying French fries! I used vegetable oil for this recipe, but I’ve learned that you can use grapeseed, peanut, safflower, and even canola. Lots of options and these oils have a smoke point of above 350°F.
How to Double Fry French Fries
These steps teach you everything you need to know on how to make homemade French fries! Not only are these fries super easy to fry, but you can make these fries on the stovetop, too!
Scroll to the bottom to the recipe card to see the full recipe and details.
Step 1: First, peel and scrub dirt from the potatoes. You can also leave the potato skins on, but be sure to clean the outside very well beforehand.
Step 2: Next, cut the potatoes into four or five vertical pieces, and then cut each piece into sticks of your desired size. Alternatively, you can use your favorite Veg-o-Matic!
Step 3: Place potatoes in a large bowl and completely cover them with cold water, then allow them to soak. You can also allow them to soak in the refrigerator overnight.
Step 4: When it’s time to make the French fries, drain the water and blot any remaining water off with a paper towel. You’ll want to do this to make sure the fries are dry and also because is not safe to mix hot oil and water.
Step 5: Next, fill the deep fryer to the “fill line” with vegetable oil of choice, and then heat to 300°F. In small batches, fry potatoes for about 5 minutes, potatoes should be soft but not brown! Remove them from fryer.
Step 6: Once potatoes have been pre-fried, turn up the heat on your oil to 400°F. Fry the potatoes again until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside. Watch them closely.
Step 7: Remove fries from oil and allow to drain on a paper towel. Sprinkle the fries with sea salt to season and serve.
Love it? Pin it!
Don’t forget where you found the recipe on how to double fry french fries! Pin it before you go!
Do you have to soak potatoes before frying?
When you soak homemade fries before frying them, you’re removing the excess starches and sugars. If you don’t soak the potatoes prior to frying them, then you could end up with soggy fries or a bunch of fries that are stuck together.
How do make crispy French fries from scratch?
If you want these French fries to make crispy, then you will need to make sure to soak the fries and double fry them. These two steps are keys to perfectly crispy French fries!
Why double fry fries?
When you double fry French fries, then you’re giving them an extra layer of fried goodness. Don’t you like crispy fries?
How to Freeze Double Fried French Fries
If you’re looking to freeze French fries in that are fried or not, then this option is for you! Freezing the fries after blanching them? Then, you’ll want to make sure all the water dries out first.
If you’re freezing cooked French fries, then just transfer the cooled fries to an airtight storage container or bag.
What can I serve this recipe with?
You can serve my slow cooker buffalo pulled pork with this recipe, a Juicy Lucy burger, or these blackened salmon burgers.
Other Recipes You’ll Love
- Copycat McDonald’s Big Mac (pictured above)
- Grandma’s Baked Beans
- Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Potato Skins
- Garlic Rosemary Heirloom Potatoes
Let’s make some Double Fried French Fries! 
LIKE THIS RECIPE?
Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and
leave a comment below the recipe!
Homemade {double fried} French Fries
Ingredients
- 5 pounds Russet Potatoes peeled and sliced
- Vegetable Oil for frying
- Sea Salt for seasoning
Instructions
- Peel and scrub dirt from the potatoes. Alternatively, you can leave the skins on, just be sure to scrub them really well.
- Cut potatoes in four or five vertical pieces, and then cut each piece into sticks of your desired size. (or use that old Veg-o-Matic!)
- Place potatoes in a large bowl and completely cover them with cold water, then allow them to soak for at least three hours, you can also place them in the fridge and let them soak overnight.
- When it’s time to make the French fries, drain the water and blot any remaining water off with a paper towel. (Water can be dangerous when it hits hot oil!)
- Fill fryer to “fill line" with vegetable oil and heat to 300 degrees. In small batches, fry potatoes for about 5 minutes, potatoes should be soft but not brown! Remove them from fryer and lay them aside on a paper towel-lined baking dish.
- Once potatoes have been pre-fried, turn up the heat on your oil to 400 degrees. Fry the potatoes again until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside. This will take about 10 minutes. Watch them closely.
- Sprinkle fries with sea salt to season.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted on June 2, 2014. It was updated to improve user experience and re-shared on April 7th, 2021.
You almost made me cry talking about Grandma and Grandpa. I miss them dearly. I broke my fry cutter this weekend. Now I am on the look out for a new one.
Those fries look delicious! So special to have a treasure like that vego-matic that once belonged to your in laws. Now your family will be requesting lots of fries. I know I would!!
You are making me SO hungry for fries! yum!
They DO look like perfect fries. I think the double cooking is key!
Perfect fries. Never knew I had to fry them twice. Thanks for the tip.
That veg o matic is really neat but I am sorry you got one that way. 🙁 Their love was priceless. Thank you for sharing that with us.
Thanks for the tip about the fries. I had given up on frying and I bake my fries but I’d like to pleasantly surprise my family and give them fried French fries!
Wonderful story! My mom had a Vega magic & this is exactly how we use to make fries and add seasoning salt when done. Now, I’m going to make some tomorrow
Wonderful story! My mom had a Veg -o-magic & this is exactly how we use to make fries and add seasoning salt when done. Now, I’m going to make some tomorrow. These are so good, you’ll never want fries from a restaurant after having these.
These are such a treat and so much better than fast food. Thanks for this recipe and especially the great step by step instructions.
Wow! I had no idea it was possible to make such great french fries at home. This was fantastic!
They look like the perfect french fries. Soaking the potatoes to remove excess starch is the key!
Love homemade fries and love the story about your husband’s grandparents. So sweet!
Served these with dinner last night and they did not disappoint! Perfectly flavored with the right amount of crisp; the whole family loved them!
I’ve never made double fried french fries. Definitely want to try that. Yours look perfect. Love the story of your hubby’s grandparents even if it’s a little sad! True love does exist!
Right? Most love stories have that element of sadness. <3
Oh heck yes to double fried fries! So crispy and tasty.
These fries look amazing! Great tip double frying them!
Oh boy! These are going to be dangerous in my house. So yummy!
Yum. Double-fried fries. These are simple and good. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Thanks for sharing.
Can I freeze the fries after the initial cook?
I have never actually tried that, but I think it would work great!