There's nothing quite like a crispy, golden French fry—especially when you’ve made them yourself! Whether you prefer classic russet potatoes or the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes, homemade fries are a simple and satisfying addition to any meal. Plus, with a little prep work, you can stock your freezer with ready-to-cook fries for quick and easy meals anytime.
Why Make Your Own Fries?
Potatoes are a staple at many Redwood Empire Food Bank distribution locations, making them an accessible and affordable ingredient. Learning to turn them into crispy, homemade fries not only saves money but also ensures you control the seasoning and cooking method. Whether you're meal prepping for a busy week, feeding hungry kids, or just indulging in your favorite comfort food, this method will quickly become a go-to.
Ingredients:
- Any size russet potato OR sweet potato
(One medium-sized potato makes about two servings of fries.) - Seasoning (optional):
- Salt (plain, basil salt, or celery salt)
- Garlic powder
- Black pepper
- Paprika
(Mix ½ teaspoon of each in a bowl if using.)
Directions:
- Peel your chosen potato (optional but recommended for russet potatoes).
- Cut lengthwise into slender pieces, keeping sizes as similar as possible for even cooking.
- Rinse the cut potatoes under cold water, then soak them in a bowl of ice water. Ensure they are fully submerged. Soak for at least 30 minutes, up to 24 hours (store in the fridge if soaking overnight).
- Drain and dry thoroughly using a paper towel or napkin.
- Optional seasoning: If you want to season your fries before freezing, mix your spices in a bowl, add the dry potatoes, and toss until evenly coated.
- Freeze by laying the fries in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze for at least one hour, then transfer to labeled freezer bags (e.g., seasoned, plain, etc.).
- Cooking Instructions:
- Air Fryer: 400°F for 15 minutes
- Oven: 425°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway
- Enjoy! Serve with your favorite dipping sauces like ranch, ketchup, or mustard sauce.
Pro Tips & Benefits
✅ Batch Prep & Convenience: Making several batches at once means you always have fries ready to go—just grab a bag from the freezer and cook!
✅ Customization: Experiment with seasonings to find your favorite flavor combinations.
✅ Kid-Friendly & Time-Saving: These fries cook quickly and make a great addition to any lunch or dinner.
✅ Long Shelf Life: Properly stored, your frozen fries will last up to six months.
There’s something special about a crispy, homemade fries—especially sweet potato fries! Having a freezer stocked with partially prepped foods makes life so much easier. Once you try this method, we bet you’ll never go back to store-bought fries.
Give it a shot, and let us know what seasonings and dipping sauces you try!
