Ultimate Guide to Cooking French Fries at Home

It’s French Fries Friday! I completely invented that phrase, but who knows, maybe it will catch on and become a widely celebrated tradition. Make the perfect crispy and golden French fries at home with this basic recipe, simple ingredients, easy steps, and restaurant-quality results every time. Ideal as a side dish or snack for any occasion! After all, if any food deserves its own honorary day, it is French Fries. Whether you call them French Fries, Chips, or Chipo, they are at the top of my indulgent favorites list. They have stayed there consistently. They have never lost their top position. The golden, crispy, salty perfection of freshly made French Fries is unmatched. No other comfort food holds a place in my heart quite like they do.

My deep affection for French Fries did not begin recently. It stretches all the way back to my childhood, those simpler, joyful days filled with unfiltered excitement and laughter. One of my most vivid and cherished memories includes me and my siblings. We eagerly waited at the gate for our father to arrive home in the evening. That daily ritual became one of the most exciting parts of our day. We knew this with the certainty only children possess. Our father would be carrying something delightful in his hands. It was usually wrapped in newspaper, which was the packaging of choice at the time.

As soon as we spotted him walking down the path, we would begin shouting, “Daddy chololo! Daddy chololo! Daddy chololo!” Do not ask me to translate that second word. To this day, I have no idea what it meant. All I knew, and still know—is that it was our excited chant for “Dad is coming home!” And that simple sentence, filled with glee and anticipation, was a call to action. We would race toward him, laughing and yelling. We would grab whatever package he had with him. Then, we would dash back to the house to uncover our treasure.

You should have seen the intensity of our faces as we opened the paper wrapping. We would peel it back, hearts pounding, fully expecting to find warm, crispy French Fries inside. And on most days, that is exactly what we would get. A pile of golden goodness awaited us. They were slightly greasy and perfectly seasoned. We would devour them in moments, fingers burning slightly from the heat but too eager to wait.

But occasionally, our joy would be short-lived. There were days when we unwrapped the package only to find meat inside. Yes, even meat was wrapped in newspapers at the butchery in those days. Upon discovering it was not French Fries, our smiles would fall instantly. We would all slowly and quietly wander away. We muttered to ourselves about how unfair our father was. In our young minds, meat was no match for French Fries.

Looking back now, I imagine my father probably chuckled to himself during those moments. He must have known that our enthusiastic greetings were less about him and more about the contents of his hands. I believe he took it all in stride. He found humor in the fact that his children associated his return with a delicious treat. The simple routine of waiting at the gate and chanting started it. Receiving and unwrapping followed next. Occasionally, I would sulk. These moments formed the foundation of my lifelong bond with French Fries.

This relationship has never faltered. To this day, French Fries remain a comfort food I return to again and again. Whether I am feeling happy, sad, bored, or celebratory, they always manage to lift my spirits. There is something timeless and universally satisfying about a plate of perfectly made Fries. They are uncomplicated, but that is precisely their magic. A simple potato transformed through heat and seasoning becomes something that speaks to the soul.

The good news is that making French Fries at home is not difficult. The process can be as elaborate or as simple as you want it to be. For my first homemade French Fries attempt, I went with the classic approach. I used only two ingredients and focused on getting the basics right. It was a delightful success, and I found myself marveling at how something so straightforward could bring so much joy.

Of course, this is only the beginning. There are countless variations I am eager to try. These include spiced Fries, herbed Fries, and loaded Fries with toppings. I also want to try sweet potato Fries, crinkle-cut, curly, and even waffle-cut. The possibilities are endless, and I cannot wait to experiment with different flavors and textures. Cooking at home allows you to personalize each dish. It lets you explore creativity. You can turn even the most common ingredients into something special.

But beyond the recipe and method, what makes French Fries truly special is the nostalgia they carry. They are more than just food. They are a memory and a feeling. They connect to a time when life was simpler and the smallest joys felt like the grandest adventures. Every time I bite into a French Fry, I am reminded of my childhood. I think of my siblings' laughter and warm newspaper packages. I remember running feet and glowing faces. I also recall the delicious anticipation that came with hearing “Daddy chololo.” (Daddy's here!)

Food has that kind of power. It can transport us, remind us, and anchor us in who we are and where we come from. French Fries may seem trivial to some, but to me, they represent so much more. They are part of my story, my heritage, my identity. They are a reminder of family, of youth, and of shared joy.

Now, every time I make French Fries in my own kitchen, I feel a sense of continuity. I am no longer that child waiting by the gate, but I still carry that same excitement in my heart. I still look forward to the moment when the oil sizzles and the golden fries rise to the surface. I still take that first bite with reverence. Maybe one day, someone in my own family will create their own rituals around French Fries. They might wait for someone to come home with a package in hand.

It may have started as a joke. However, French Fries Friday might actually become a real thing for me. A weekly celebration of something that has brought me joy for as long as I can remember. A little ritual to honor not just a beloved food, but the memories and emotions it brings with it. Now I want to hear from you. What are your childhood memories involving French Fries? Did your family have any quirky food traditions growing up? Have you tried making your own fries at home, and how did they turn out? Share your stories below, I would love to connect over our shared love for this crispy, golden delight.

Let us celebrate the small, joyful things that make life a little more delicious. Happy French Fries Friday, everyone!

Ingredients

-1 Kg Potatoes (more or less)
-2 Cups Vegetable Oil (half fill deep frying pan
-Pinch of Salt

Method

-Peel, wash your Potatoes and cut into long thin or thick strips. You can buy a potato peeler or just slice with your knife. Place Potatoes in a cooking pot, add water and a pinch of salt. Let them boil for a few minutes, don't allow them to over boil as they will become soggy and loose shape. I boil mine to make frying faster but you can fry them without boiling if your heat is very high

-Drain of water and then place on a kitchen towel to absorb the moisture after boiling. Heat your deep frying pan. To check if the oil is hot enough, drop a small piece of the potato and if it sizzles immediately to the top, the oil is ready. Carefully drop the sliced Potatoes into the hot oil and let them cook

-Once the Potatoes have started frying they will start to float since they are no longer heavy. Use a ladle to check if they have started turning golden yellow

-Let the Potatoes cook some more as you check for their donness

-Remove the French Fries from the oil, let excess oil drip off

-Set the French Fries in a large bowl with a paper towel to keep warm as you finish the remaining batch

-Serve your French Fries with Ketchup, Tomato Sauce, or Chili Sauce. I like Hot and Sweet!

-There are two kinds of people in this world,  those who drizzle Ketchup on their French Fries and those who dunk their French Fries into the Ketchup one by one. I am both. Who are you?

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BASIC FRENCH FRIES RECIPE

by Mulunga Alukwe August-4-2017

Ingredients

• 1 Kg Potatoes
• 3 Cups Vegetable Oil
• Pinch Salt

Instructions

-Peel, wash your Potatoes and cut into long thin or thick strips. You can buy a potato peeler or just slice with your knife-Place Potatoes in a cooking pot, add water and a pinch of salt. Let them boil for a few minutes, don't allow them to over boil as they will become soggy and loose shape-Drain of water and then place on a kitchen towel to absorb the moisture after boiling-Heat your deep frying pan. To check if the oil is hot enough, drop a small piece of the potato and if it sizzles immediately to the top, the oil is ready-Carefully drop the sliced Potatoes into the hot oil and let them cook until they turn golden yellow-Set the French Fries in a large bowl with a paper towel to keep warm as you finish the remaining batch-Serve hot with your favorite sauce

Details

Prep time: 30 mins Cook time: 45 mins Total time: 1 hour 5 mins Yield: 3 Servings

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