Few things are as iconic as McDonald’s French fries. Their golden, crispy exterior and soft, fluffy interior have made them a fast-food favorite for decades. Recreating these famous fries at home may seem like a challenge, but with the right techniques and ingredients, you can enjoy perfectly crispy fries that taste just like the ones you love.
This copycat McDonald’s French fries recipe is designed to replicate the texture, flavor, and crispiness of the originals, using simple steps like soaking the potatoes and double frying. Let’s break down how to make these delicious fries in your own kitchen.
1. Copycat McDonald’s French Fries Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 large russet potatoes
- 1 quart water (for soaking)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons corn syrup
- Peanut oil or vegetable oil, for frying
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes
Peel and cut the potatoes: Begin by peeling 3 large russet potatoes. Russet potatoes are ideal for making fries because of their high starch content, which helps achieve the desired fluffy interior and crispy exterior. After peeling, cut the potatoes into thin strips, about ¼ inch thick. Try to keep the strips uniform in size for even cooking.
Soak the potato strips: In a large bowl, mix 1 quart of cold water, 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar, and 2 tablespoons of corn syrup. Stir until the sugar and corn syrup are completely dissolved. This mixture helps achieve the signature flavor and texture of McDonald’s fries by reducing the starch content and giving the fries a subtle sweetness. Add the potato strips to the bowl and let them soak for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for best results.
Step 2: Drain and Dry the Potatoes
Drain the potato strips: After soaking, drain the potatoes and discard the soaking liquid.
Dry the potatoes: Pat the potato strips dry thoroughly using paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Removing excess moisture is crucial for achieving crispy fries. Wet potatoes will cause the oil to splatter and can result in soggy fries.
Step 3: First Fry (Blanching)
Heat the oil: In a deep fryer or large pot, heat peanut oil (or vegetable oil) to 300°F (150°C). Peanut oil is often preferred for deep frying because of its high smoke point and neutral flavor, but vegetable oil works well too.
Fry the potatoes (first fry): Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, carefully lower the potato strips into the hot oil. Fry them for 4-5 minutes, just until they start to soften but have not yet browned. This first fry, or blanching, cooks the interior of the fries. After frying, remove the potato strips from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
Let the fries rest: Allow the fries to rest for about 10-15 minutes. This resting period helps to set the structure of the fries and prepares them for the second fry, which will give them their crispy texture.
Step 4: Second Fry (Crisping)
Increase the oil temperature: Raise the oil temperature to 400°F (200°C). This higher temperature is key to creating that crisp exterior while keeping the inside soft and fluffy.
Fry the potatoes again: Once the oil reaches the correct temperature, fry the potato strips for a second time. Fry in batches for 2-3 minutes, or until they turn a beautiful golden brown. Keep an eye on them, as they can brown quickly at this higher temperature.
Drain the fries: Remove the fries from the oil and place them on fresh paper towels to drain any excess oil.
Step 5: Season and Serve
Season with salt: While the fries are still hot, immediately sprinkle them with salt to taste. McDonald’s fries are known for their perfect balance of saltiness, so be generous but mindful of your preference.
Serve hot: Serve the fries immediately for the best texture and flavor. They are best enjoyed fresh and crispy, just like at McDonald’s.
2. Tips for Perfect McDonald’s French Fries
Use Russet Potatoes: Russet potatoes are ideal for fries because their high starch content helps create the fluffy interior and crispy exterior. Other types of potatoes may not yield the same results.
Soak the Potatoes: Soaking the potato strips in a sugar-water solution helps to remove excess starch, which is crucial for achieving fries that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The sugar and corn syrup also give the fries a subtle sweetness that’s part of McDonald’s signature flavor.
Double Frying is Essential: The key to crispy fries is frying them twice. The first fry cooks the potatoes through, while the second fry at a higher temperature crisps up the outer layer. Skipping this step will result in fries that are either too soft or unevenly cooked.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pot: Fry the potatoes in small batches to maintain the oil temperature. Overcrowding the pot will lower the oil’s temperature, making the fries soggy rather than crispy.
Serve Immediately: French fries are best served fresh out of the fryer. If you need to keep them warm before serving, place them in a low oven (around 200°F/93°C) to maintain their crispness.
3. Variations of McDonald’s Style Fries
Curly Fries: For a fun twist, use a spiralizer to create curly fries. Follow the same soaking and double frying steps to achieve crispy, curly fries with the same great flavor as regular fries.
Sweet Potato Fries: Swap out russet potatoes for sweet potatoes to make a healthier, naturally sweet version of these fries. Follow the same double frying process, but be aware that sweet potato fries may take a little longer in the second fry due to their higher moisture content.
Parmesan Garlic Fries: After frying, toss the hot fries with a mixture of grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and chopped parsley for a gourmet touch. This variation adds a burst of savory flavor and is perfect as a side dish for burgers or grilled meats.
4. How to Serve Copycat McDonald’s French Fries
Classic Ketchup: Serve with a generous helping of ketchup for that familiar fast-food experience.
Mayonnaise or Aioli: For a more indulgent dip, pair your fries with garlic aioli or a flavored mayonnaise.
Cheese Sauce: Create a quick cheese sauce by melting cheddar and cream cheese together with a splash of milk for a creamy, cheesy dipping option.
Sriracha Mayo: If you like a bit of heat, mix Sriracha with mayonnaise for a spicy dipping sauce.
5. Storing and Reheating Leftovers
While French fries are best enjoyed fresh, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, place the fries on a baking sheet and warm them in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 5-7 minutes. This will help restore some of the crispiness.
Recreating McDonald’s famous fries at home is not only possible, but also incredibly satisfying. By following this Copycat McDonald’s French Fries Recipe, you can achieve the perfect combination of a crispy exterior and fluffy interior, just like the fries you know and love.
