Saving time is one of most important factors in preparing snacks. Because that struggle between having to quickly whip up something delicious in a short amount of time and still be able to get at least a couple of episodes on Netflix before going to bed is much too real. Which is why it’s super helpful to keep a few handy tricks up your sleeves when it comes to snack prepping.
One of my favourite snacks is French fries. You find them at the beloved diners that you go to, the random drive-through windows, and the upscale fine-dining restaurants with their own gourmet ketchup sauce. It’s no denying that French fries are a classic.
And don’t get me started on all that time spent on cutting potatoes, waiting for the oven to preheat, and finally getting to roasting them. No one has time for that after a day of work. Just give us the fries! There is one simple solution: blanch and freeze your own French fries in advance!
Step 1: Rinse and Cut
I usually skip the peeling part because it’s where a lot of the nutrients are, and I actually enjoy eating it. But if you don’t like the potato skin, simply peel, rinse, then cut your potatoes into fries.
Step 2: Blanch
Drop the cut fries into a pot of boiling water with salt for about three minutes. Transfer the fries into a bowl of ice water. Strain the fries and blot them with a clean towel to get rid of excess water. Once dry, toss the fries in a bit of oil to very lightly coat them. (You can also toss on some other seasoning here, if desired.)
Step 3: Freezing
Spread out your fries on a baking sheet evenly, making sure that the fries don’t touch each other. If your baking sheet is too small, place a sheet of parchment paper on top of the first layer of fries, and continue placing your fries. Leave them in the freezer for an hour. Once they’re safe from getting stuck to each other, put them in a plastic bag. You can store them for up to six months in the freezer.
Step 4: Baking
When you’re craving some French fries, place them on a baking sheet in the middle of the oven. Bake for 20 minutes at 425°F or until they’re crispy and golden brown.
Blanching in advance gives the fries the fluffy and crispy texture. Those frozen fries you buy from the supermarket and the ones you get from a drive-through window are all blanched and frozen anyways. So why not do it yourself and keep it healthy? It’ll taste better and save you a tonne of time from making a fresh batch. Do you have any snack hacks? Let us know what we need to try!
Want to up your homemade fries game? Make some homemade ketchup for dipping!
Daniel is a Digital Marketing and Content Strategist at SPUD. He graduated from UBC with a degree in English and International Relations with a focus on environmental topics. A wordsmith by day and a bookman by night, he's a self-proclaimed gastronomic snob, a buck-a-shuck addict, a sub-par skier, and a devoted kingsguard of the oxford comma. He also frequents the dog park with a schnauzer named Duke. | Instagram: @dannnyellow
FAQs
Basic methods for freezing potatoes
Lay the potato on a tray without letting them touch each other. Pop the tray into the freezer and, when frozen solid (about six to 12 hours), transfer to a resealable airtight freezer bag, remove any excess air, label and pop back into the freezer.
What is the best way to freeze potatoes for French fries? ›
Basic methods for freezing potatoes
Lay the potato on a tray without letting them touch each other. Pop the tray into the freezer and, when frozen solid (about six to 12 hours), transfer to a resealable airtight freezer bag, remove any excess air, label and pop back into the freezer.
Is it better to blanch fries in water or oil? ›
All that is to say: blanching will add taste and texture benefits to your French fries. A blanch in a hot oil bath will lend extra crispness and golden color to your final product.
How to freeze leftover French fries? ›
You can freeze the fries when you get home (I put them in a Ziploc bag first) and just defrost the day of—freezing doesn't affect the taste.
How long do you blanch potatoes before freezing? ›
Choose new, smaller potatoes of the waxy type such as red or gold potatoes. For best results, freeze as soon as harvested. Wash and scrub the potatoes leaving the skins on, if desired. Blanch 4 to 6 minutes if smaller than 1 to 1½ inches in diameter and 8 to 10 minutes if larger.
Can I cut potatoes and freeze them? ›
Yes, you can freeze potatoes up to three months, but you do need to par-cook them first, following these steps: Peel and cut your potatoes into chunks or thick chip shapes.
Do potato chips freeze well? ›
Putting potato chips in the freezer extends their freshness from a matter of days to months when stored properly in a sealed, air-tight bag. So when the instructions on the bag say to store in a cool, dry place, your freezer provides all that!
Why do you soak potatoes in water before making french fries? ›
The main reasons to cut the potatoes and pre-soak in water are: To allow the excess starches and sugars to be removed from the outer surface of the fry strips AND to keep the potatoes from browning prematurely from exposure to air. Covering in water helps the potato from turning a dark color.
How long do I blanch potatoes for fries? ›
Blanch at 325 – 350 °F (163 – 176 °C) for 3 – 5 minutes, depending on the size of your fries. Carefully lift and shake the basket halfway through the blanching process to help distribute the oil and fries. Once blanching is complete, remove the fries from the fryer and allow to cool to room temperature, uncovered.
Should I peel potatoes for fries? ›
Our recommendations: Keep the skin on to enhance homemade appearance and flavor. Fries made from peeled potatoes should be chilled after cutting in cold water for 30 minutes to 2 hours before frying to ensure maximum crispiness.
Here's how you freeze your own fries:
- Step 1: Rinse and Cut. I usually skip the peeling part because it's where a lot of the nutrients are, and I actually enjoy eating it. ...
- Step 2: Blanch. Drop the cut fries into a pot of boiling water with salt for about three minutes. ...
- Step 3: Freezing.
It's not hard to freeze whole or cubed potatoes, but you do need to follow a series of simple steps.
- Peel. This step isn't required, but it's helpful because blanching works best without the skin. ...
- Blanch. Fill a pot with water and season it with salt. ...
- Dry. ...
- Flash freeze. ...
- Freeze.
The key to freezing potatoes and sweet potatoes—whether for fries, hash browns or even simple roasted wedges—is to partially cook them first. Because they contain so much water, raw potatoes don't freeze well and can turn mushy, watery or even grainy.
How do you keep freezer burn off fries? ›
How can I prevent freezer burn?
- Step 1: Prepare your food for freezing. ...
- Step 2: Use airtight storage containers. ...
- Step 3: Set freezers to the proper temperature. ...
- Step 4: Limit the amount of time your freezer is open. ...
- Step 5: Rotate your foods to help prevent freezer burn. ...
- Step 6: Avoid thawing and refreezing food.
As you slice, place the potatoes into the container with water. Once all of the potatoes are peeled and sliced, fill the rest of the container with water so the potatoes are completely submerged. Place the lid onto the container, making sure it's airtight. Store the potatoes in the refrigerator.
How to get moisture out of potatoes for fries? ›
Fill a large bowl with cold water and stir in 2 tablespoons of salt. Place the sliced potatoes in the salt water and let them soak for 15 to 30 minutes. This will help them bake up crispier. When the potatoes are done soaking, drain them, and dry very well with a towel.
How to freeze fresh hashbrown potatoes? ›
To freeze potatoes for hash browns, shred potatoes; hold in a bowl of cold water until all potatoes are shredded. Drain and blanch in boiling water about 3 minutes. Drain, rinse in cold water, drain again and pat dry. Pack into freezer containers or resealable bags.
