Even if you are on a diet, there is no denying that you do crave a plate of crispy French fries occasionally. We understand that because we know that these deep-fried carbs taste great and are extremely versatile. You are here means you want to learn how to fry frozen french fries in a pan. Don,t worry, in this article you will learn almost everything about fried french fries.
You will agree with us that the perfect French fries should be golden and crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. When you combine that with your favorite dipping sauce, you get a piece of heaven on a plate.
How to Fry Frozen French Fries in a Pan – Guide
You cannot always be in a position to dash to your favorite fast food joint to get a packet whenever the cravings hit. To that effect, you may want to buy the fries in bulk and store them in your freezer to be consumed whenever you like.
Anytime you feel the need to indulge, all you have to do is take out a bag from the freezer, and voila! You have your plate.
Now, French fries are usually prepared in a fryer but not everyone has one in their kitchen so here are some useful tips for preparing your fries using a pan.
Use a Size-able pan
Ensure that the pan you intend to use is deep enough to hold about an inch of oil. For your fries to turn out crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, they need to be submerged in the oil while cooking. This also ensures that the fries cook evenly.
The pan has to distribute heat evenly as well so you want to avoid nonstick options and go for stainless steel or ceramic instead.
Use the Right Oil
For frying your potatoes, use sunflower oil or vegetable oil. Avoid unclarified butter as it tends to release moisture that can make your fries soggy and that is the last thing you want.
While at it, ensure that the flame you are using is of medium intensity throughout your cooking. If you use low heat, your fries will defrost slowly and the water in them will not evaporate as fast making them soggy.
Another thing is that the fries will absorb more oil and end up looking unappetizing and greasy.
Preheat your Oil
You want to preheat the oil you will be using in a pan until it is about to smoke. Do not be tempted to add the fries to the pan when the oil is not hot otherwise you will end up with soggy fries.
Also, you want to fry your potatoes right out of the bag so no thawing here. We know most people think that they have to thaw frozen food before cooking but the contrary is true. If you do, the moisture from defrosting will cause oil splatters, which can be dangerous.
As soon as the oil begins to shimmer, add your fries to the pan. Do not overcrowd the pan with them though as that can jeopardize your results.
Use Medium Heat
Frozen fries require medium-heat for them to cook evenly and all through. You do not want to use extremely high temperatures or low ones.
If you do, you may end up with half-cooked and soggy fries. You also want to ensure that your flame does not fluctuate while cooking as that will compromise your results.
Do not Overdo It
Once the fries are in the pan, allow them to crackle away in a medium-high, consistent flame. Most frozen French fries come par-cooked so they will not take too long in the oil.
Monitor the fries as they cook so that once they get that nice golden coating, you can flip and remove them.
Do not Stir
As soon as you put your fries in the oil, you will be tempted to keep turning them around or even stirring.
Instead, you want the fries to cook entirely on one side before flipping them and allowing them to cook on the other side.
By constantly flipping you will break the fries make them soggy, or even run the risk of unevenly cooked food.
Do not Cover
Never cover the fries as they cook because that allows the moisture in them to return to the oil in the pan causing it to crackle.
You also want to avoid seasoning your fries during or before the cooking process. If you do it before, the spices and salt can draw out moisture and the fries may stick to each other.
If you season while the fries are cooking, you will not be able to re-use the oil.
Drain Before Serving
Once your fries have attained that golden color, the next course of action should be using a frying or slotted spoon to remove them from the pan.
Hold the potatoes above the pan for several seconds to drain excess oil and transfer them to a plate or bowl lined with paper towels.
The paper towels are supposed to absorb any leftover excess oil. You may also want to pat the fries for the same effect. After doing this, you can transfer the fries to a container with a lid to keep them warmer for longer.
Season After
Now that the fries are out of the oil and free from excess oil, it is time to season them (This is optional). If you like seasoning, you can add your favorite at this point.
Add some garlic powder, pepper, or salt, close the lid and shake to ensure that all the fries get enough seasoning.
At this point, you can also strain the oil you used to be used later. The oil can be reused to fry another batch or other meals. Since the oil is not seasoned, it will not retain much of the flavor from your fries.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, you do not need a deep fryer or air fryer to prepare your French fries. With the good pan, you can get the crispiness you want.
Just ensure that you have all the tips we have talked about in mind and you will have your perfectly fried chips.
With all the information we have given you should not have a hard time preparing your French fries using a pan.
