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Dutch Oven French Fries

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Have you ever wanted homestyle french fries without having to drive to get them? I sure have! Using a few ingredients in your pantry, you can make this classic restaurant-style recipe right from the comfort of your home.

Crispy french fries on a glass white plate with a dollop of ketchup on the side.

You’ve got to admit, french fries are a hard staple in America and have swept around the world, being enjoyed by many families.

What is the best way to cook french fries?

Around here, we like to double fry our french fries because the results are a perfect combination of a fluffy interior and a crispy exterior, creating the ultimate texture contrast.

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The initial fry cooks the potatoes, while the second fry ensures a golden and crunchy finish, delivering fries that are truly irresistible.

Every chance I get, I love to use my dutch oven, and french fries are one of my favorite foods to cook in it.

Dutch ovens are considered excellent for frying fries due to their even heat distribution, heat retention capabilities, and spacious capacity.

This recipe is so simple and is always a big hit! We love making these with hot dogs on busy weeknights!

Fried potatoes on a dainty plate with dipping sauce on the side.

The key to crispy french fries

To achieve the utmost crispiness in fries, it is crucial to uphold a steady oil temperature of 365 degrees throughout the cooking procedure.

Remember to incorporate sugar during the second attempt, as it plays a pivotal role in delivering crispy outcomes.

Though double frying requires more time and effort compared to single frying, the process involves two rounds of frying and careful temperature control.

If convenience is a priority or if you prefer a simpler cooking method, single frying can still yield tasty fries.

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Dutch oven french fry recipe

I believe the moment has arrived to reveal my cherished recipe for french fries. Well, in all honesty, it may not be famous in the broader sense, as only my family and friends have experienced its delight, yet they are absolutely enthralled by it.

Once you attempt this recipe, you will understand why.

Enjoy your homemade dutch oven french fries!

Here is what you need to know to make the crispiest fries.

Supplies

Ingredients

  • 4 russet potatoes
  • Peanut oil
  • 1 tablespoon of sugar
  • Sea salt to taste

Wash, then cut the potatoes into thin strips, or use a potato slicer.

Sliced raw potatoes on a wooden cutting board and a blue handled butcher knife

Soak in a bowl of water for one hour.

Uncooked potatoes soaking in water in a white and brown bowl on a marble countertop with a cloth underneath it.

Rinse well, then pat dry.

Raw potatoes slices draining in a metal colander on a countertop.

Heat about two inches of peanut oil in the bottom of your dutch oven on the stovetop to 365ยฐF (you’ll want enough oil to fully submerge the fries, but not so much that it can splatter out the top.

Red thermometer testing the temperature of heating peanut oil in a dutch oven.

Add the fries carefully using a slotted skimmer. Fry for five minutes, stirring often.

Mixing french fries that are in a dutch oven filed partway with boiling peanut oil.

Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to cool. Then add the fries back into the fryer along with the sugar and stir often to prevent the potatoes from sticking.

Stirring potatoes that are frying in a dutch oven.

Once the potatoes are crispy, remove them to a plate to cool.

Salt and serve them warm.

Fresh out of the fryer sitting on a napkin over a glass plate are the crispest homemade fries.

Tips

  • Adding the sugar during the second fry is essential for a lasting crisp.
  • If you don’t have time to soak the fries or do a double fry, they will still turn out delicious but not nearly as crispy.
  • Oil temperature is very important. Try to keep it as close to 365ยฐF as possible.

Serving suggestions

Dutch oven fries can be enjoyed as a snack, side dish, or part of a larger meal. They complement various dishes such as cast iron burgers, sandwiches, and cast iron brats, or can be served as a standalone appetizer.

Their versatility makes them a crowd-pleaser for gatherings and casual meals.

You can get extra creative and top it with avocado, queso cheese, or just eat it with some classic ketchup.

Fries and red sauce on a glass white plate.

FAQs

What is the best oil for homemade fries? When selecting an oil for frying, consider factors such as smoke point. It’s also important to use fresh oil that is suitable for high-temperature frying to achieve the best results. Personally, I like peanut oil for making french fries.

Do I have to soak potatoes before frying? Soaking can be done as an optional step to remove excess starch and potentially help achieve a crispier texture. But, if you don’t have the time, Just pat them dry before adding to the fryer.

Is double frying worth it? If you are passionate about achieving perfectly crispy and flavorful french fries that resemble restaurant-quality results, double frying can be worth the extra effort. And might I add, double frying enhances the overall flavor of french fries.

The initial fry allows the potatoes to cook and develop their flavor, while the second fry caramelizes the exterior, adding depth and a delicious taste.

Should I peel my potatoes before frying? I personally do not peel the potatoes when making fries. Whether or not you should peel your potatoes before frying them depends on your personal preference for the outside texture.

Why fry with sugar? The sugar is a little secret I learned from a cousin of mine who owned a restaurant. She found adding a touch of sugar to the second fry resulted in lasting crispiness rather than the fries turning mushy after only a couple of minutes.

A crispy french fry dipped in ketchup with a plate a fries and sauce in the background.

Key takeaways

Dutch oven fries are a favorite in my home. I just love a plate of hot fries, and these are almost identical to a restaurant, if not better.

And if you’re not convinced, this is a great way to use those extra potatoes you have in your pantry before they would have to be thrown out.

Thanks for stopping by Cast Iron Skillet Cooking! I hope you loved this recipe! Be sure to write a review to let me know how you enjoyed it!

And if you loved this recipe, you may enjoy some of my other recipes below!

Homemade crispy dutch oven french fries.

Dutch Oven French Fries

Laura Ascher
If you love crispy fries that don't turn mushy after five minutes, you have come to the right place! Enjoy these dutch oven french fries today!
5 from 7 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Additional Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Appetizers
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 4 russet potatoes
  • Peanut oil
  • 1 tablespoon of sugar
  • Sea salt to taste

Instructions
 

  • Wash, then cut the potatoes into thin strips, or use a potato slicer.
  • Soak in a bowl of water for one hour.
  • Rinse well, then pat dry.
  • Heat about two inches of peanut oil in the bottom of your dutch oven on the stovetop to 365ยฐF (you'll want enough oil to fully submerge the fries, but not so much that it can splatter out the top)
  • Add the fries carefullyย using a slotted skimmer.
  • Fry for five minutes, stirring often.
  • Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to cool.
  • Add the fries back into the fryer along with the sugar and stir often to prevent the potatoes from sticking.
  • Once the potatoes are crispy, remove them to a plate to cool.
  • Salt and serve them warm.

Notes

Adding the sugar during the second fry is essential for a lasting crisp.
If you don't have time to soak the fries or do a double fry, they will still turn out delicious, but not nearly as crispy.
Also, oil temperatureย is very important. Try to keep it as close to 365ยฐF as possible.
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This website provides approximate nutrition information based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands, measuring methods and portion sizes per household. We recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer.

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4 Comments

    1. Oh my goodness, frying in lard is such a great idea! I have so much lard in the fridge, I am def going to be using it the next time I make these fries!

5 from 7 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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