How to Cut a Potato for French Fries | The Ultimate Guide

One can cook French fries in different styles. Some people love air-fried potatoes, others prefer roasted ones and others love deep-fried potatoes. No matter which cooking style you will use, you’ll have to decide how to cut the potatoes first. The good thing is that there is no right or wrong way of cutting your French fries, and there are different methods of doing it to get the desired results. You can cut the potatoes into thick wedges, rustic home fries, or classic fries. This article explains the different styles of cutting and making French fries.

How Can I Cut My French Fries?

There are various methods of cutting potatoes. However, the first step would be to peel the potatoes using a knife or a potato peeler. Then thoroughly wash and keep them soaked in cold water to prevent oxidation, which turns them brown. Once you’ve done that, you can choose any of these three methods to cut them.

Method 1: Using a Knife

This is the hardest method as it requires a lot of time and effort. Using a kitchen knife, you can cut your potatoes into sticks. However, getting an even shape and thickness all the time is going to be hard. For someone who doesn’t have great knife cutting skills, they may not like the results. But the more practice you put into it, the better your cuts will be.

Take one peeled and washed potato, then slice off one of its sides to make it flat and the base stable. After, place it on the chopping board with the base down such that it won’t roll around when making the other cuts.

Then, slice it lengthwise into slabs, trying to make them as even as you can. The thickness of your slabs will determine how thick your fries will be. Most people usually prefer a ¼ inch. But you can cut them into thinner or thicker slices, depending on what you prefer. Always aim for consistency. Otherwise, the fries might be uneven.

Next, stack the slabs with their flat edges aligned. Then, make lengthwise cuts into sticks, ensuring that you don’t change the thickness. If you cut the slabs into ¼ an inch, stick to this thickness for the fries to have an even dimension.

After, put the sticks back in cold water until you’re ready to cook them.

Method 2: Using a Mandoline Style Slicer

It’s an easier method as it can help you cut the potatoes into slabs of even thickness. Once you have done that, you can use a knife to cut them into sticks. This slicer ensures even cuts. Therefore, even when cross-cutting with a normal kitchen knife, you’ll be sure of uniformity on the fry’s one dimension.

Method 3: Using a Mandoline with Cross-Cutting Teeth

This is the easiest method of cutting your potatoes into French fries. Decide on which tooth spacing and width you like, then push your potatoes through it. This way, your cuts will always be even.

How to Get the Perfect French Fries?

Now that we know how to cut a potato for French fries, let us look at some factors that can make your fries better or worse. Here are three things to think about.

• The Potatoes to Use

Whether you are using a knife or potato slicer, the potatoes you are using significantly affect the results. While any potato can be made into French fries, the best for this food are mature Russet potatoes. They are very starchy, which makes the potatoes fluffy. Make sure that the potatoes have an even brown tone that don’t have a greenish cast.

Also, check other significant bruises, sprouts, or discoloration on the potatoes. These will make the potatoes taste bad. Note that sprouts can be toxic. So, avoid buying potatoes that have a greenish discoloration.

• The Way You Prepared Potatoes for Cutting

First, you will have to peel the potatoes. Then, soak them in water, preferably salty water, since peeling exposes starch. Soaking helps remove excess starch, which pats them dry.

• The Size of the Chips

The size you cut your potatoes influences how the French fries will turn out to be. If you make extra-large cuts, it may lead to undercooking of your fries. On the other hand, too small sizes can lead to burnt crisps. Aim for width and depth of about 1cm and keep the same length as that of the potato you are cutting the fry from. Also, when cutting, start by slicing the potatoes lengthwise in layers, then cut the layers into chips.

What Should I Use to Cut French Fries?

A good quality chef’s knife, about 8-10inch is perfect for cutting homemade chips. The weight is enough to cut through the potato. Plus, you can use it for various cutting projects in the kitchen. However, those who cook large quantities of chips will need to invest in an electric French fry cutter. Especially for those who have a chips shop, the best French fry cutter will come in handy.

Final Thoughts

So that is how to cut a potato for French fries. Remember to choose the best potatoes and cut them into the right thickness for the best results.