Cody Casey
Steak fries are thick-cut fries that are often baked or fried with the skin on. While steak fries are typically deep-fried in restaurants, they can also be made at home by baking them in an oven. The key to crispy steak fries is to remove as much water as possible before frying. This can be done by soaking the potatoes in water and then drying them thoroughly before frying. The potatoes should then be fried in two batches, the first to cook the interior of the potato, and the second to crisp them up and turn them golden brown.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of potato | Russet potatoes are ideal for steak fries. Medium to large potatoes are preferable. |
| Potato preparation | Cut the potatoes into wedges. Soak the potatoes in ice water for 30 minutes to an hour. Drain, rinse, and dry the potatoes. |
| Oil type | Beef tallow, duck fat, soybean oil, peanut oil, canola oil, or extra-virgin olive oil can be used. |
| Oil temperature | Heat the oil to 315°F–375°F. |
| Frying time | Fry the potatoes for 5 minutes, then remove them and let them sit for 5 minutes. Fry them again at a higher temperature for 3–6 minutes, until golden brown. |
| Seasoning | Sprinkle with fine sea salt. You can also use garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. |
| Baking | Preheat the oven to 425°F. Bake the wedges for 20 minutes, then flip them and bake for another 15 minutes until browned and crispy. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Soak the potatoes for 30 minutes to an hour
Soaking potatoes is an important step in the process of making steak fries. It helps to remove excess starch, prevents oxidation, and ensures a crisp exterior and fluffy interior. The ideal duration for soaking potatoes is 30 minutes to an hour. Here's a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes
Start by peeling and cutting your potatoes into desired shapes, such as wedges or long sticks. It is important to cut them into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking. Place the cut potatoes in a large bowl or an airtight container.
Step 2: Soak the Potatoes
Cover the potatoes with cold water or ice water. Soaking in cold water helps prevent oxidation and removes excess starch, resulting in crispier fries. Let the potatoes soak for at least 30 minutes, but no longer than an hour. You can also add a little lemon juice or vinegar to the water to further prevent oxidation.
Step 3: Dry the Potatoes
After soaking, thoroughly dry the potatoes. You can use a salad spinner to remove excess water, and then spread them on kitchen towels to absorb any remaining moisture. This step is crucial as excess moisture can cause sputtering and affect the browning of your fries.
Step 4: Fry the Potatoes
Once the potatoes are dry, you can start frying. Heat a few inches of your chosen frying fat, such as tallow, duck fat, or oil, in a heavy-bottomed saucepan or a deep fryer. Heat the oil to around 315°F to 325°F for the first fry, which cooks the interior of the potato. The potatoes should be soft but with minimal colour. Remove the potatoes and let them drain on paper towels for a few minutes.
Step 5: Crisp the Potatoes
Increase the oil temperature to 375°F for the second fry. This step will give your steak fries a golden brown colour and a crunchy exterior. Fry the potatoes for a few minutes, stirring frequently, until they reach your desired level of crispness.
By following these steps and allowing your potatoes to soak for 30 minutes to an hour, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious steak fries with the perfect texture and flavour.
Air-Fried Egg White Bites: Quick, Easy, Delicious!
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Dry the potatoes
To make steak fries, it is important to dry the potatoes thoroughly before frying. Excess moisture can cause sputtering and will also make your fries take longer to brown.
First, cut the potatoes into fries. For steak fries, cut each potato in half lengthwise, then cut each half into wedges about 1/2 inch thick. Place the wedges in a large bowl and add ice water to cover. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes or up to an hour. This will help to remove excess starch and prevent the fries from sticking together during frying.
After soaking, drain the potatoes well and spin them dry in a salad spinner. Then, spread them out on kitchen towels and wrap them up. Let them stand for at least 30 minutes to absorb any remaining moisture. You can also pat them dry with paper towels until they are thoroughly dry.
It is important to ensure that the potatoes are as dry as possible before placing them in the hot oil. This will help reduce sputtering and promote even browning during frying.
Once the potatoes are dry, you can proceed with frying them in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed saucepan. Heat your frying fat of choice to the desired temperature, typically between 315°F and 375°F for steak fries. Add the potatoes in batches and fry until they reach the desired level of doneness, usually a golden brown color.
Air Fryer Baked Potatoes: Quick, Easy, and Delicious!
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan or a dedicated deep fryer
If you don't have a dedicated deep fryer, you can use a heavy-bottomed saucepan to make your steak fries. Firstly, cut your potatoes into fries. Place them in a bowl of cool water as you cut them to prevent browning. Then, use a colander to rinse the potato sticks for a minute, and place them back in a bowl of cool water to soak for 10 minutes. Drain and rinse again, then dry the potatoes thoroughly with a kitchen towel.
Next, add your choice of frying fat to the saucepan. You can use beef tallow or duck fat, or a neutral-flavored oil with a high smoking point, like peanut, sunflower, safflower, or soybean oil. Vegetable shortening and lard also work well. Heat a few inches of the fat in the saucepan, checking the temperature with a thermometer. The oil should be heated to 325°F (163°C).
Once the oil is hot, add about half of your potatoes to the saucepan and fry for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the fries from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain for 5 minutes. The fries should be very tender, with little to no colour. Now, increase the heat of the oil to 375°F (191°C). Add the fries back into the oil and cook for another 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until they are golden brown.
When the fries are done, remove them from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate or bowl to absorb any excess oil. Season the fries while they are still hot. You can use sea salt, or other seasonings like chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, or black pepper.
Using a heavy-bottomed saucepan to fry your steak fries gives you similar results to a dedicated deep fryer, but it may be more cumbersome to clean.
Air Fryer TGI Jalapeno Poppers: Quick, Easy, and Delicious!
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Fry at 325F for 5 minutes
To make steak fries in a deep fryer, start by cutting your potatoes into fries. It's recommended to use medium to large russet potatoes, as they make the best fluffy interior. Cut each potato in half lengthwise, and then cut each half into wedges about 1/2 inch thick. Place the wedges in a large bowl and add ice water to cover. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes or up to an hour.
Next, drain the potatoes and rinse them in a colander for a minute. Spread them on kitchen towels and thoroughly dry them. Then, wrap them up and let them stand for 30 minutes to absorb any remaining moisture.
Now, you're ready to fry. Heat your oil of choice in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed saucepan to 325F. You can use a thermometer to check the temperature. Add half of your potatoes to the fryer and fry for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. After 5 minutes, your fries will be very tender and will have taken on little to no colour.
Remove the fries from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain and cool for 5 minutes. This is the first fry, which cooks the interior of the potato so that it's soft.
Deep-Frying a Turkey: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Increase the heat to 375F and fry for 3 more minutes
Steak fries are thick wedge-cut fries that are baked or fried with the skin on. They have a larger, fluffier potato filling than French fries and are shaped like a wedge. Russet potatoes are ideal for steak fries as they make the best fluffy interior.
To make steak fries, cut the potatoes into wedges. Place them in a bowl with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and half of the fine sea salt. Mix until fully coated. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and place the wedges on the sheet in a single layer. Sprinkle the remaining salt over the top.
Bake the wedges for 20 minutes. Then, increase the heat to 375F and fry for 3 more minutes. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and flip the potatoes using a fork. Reverse the baking sheet in the oven and bake for another 15 minutes until browned and crispy.
If you want to deep fry your steak fries, cut the potatoes into wedges and place them in a bowl of cool water as you cut them to prevent browning. Using a colander, rinse the potato sticks for a minute, then place them in a bowl of cool water to soak for 10 minutes. Drain and rinse again, then dry the potatoes thoroughly with a kitchen towel.
Add tallow or oil to a heavy-bottomed saucepan or a dedicated deep fryer, heating it to 325F. Add the potatoes and fry for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove them to a paper towel-lined plate and let them sit for 5 minutes. Increase the heat of the oil to 375F and cook the fries for 3 more minutes, stirring frequently, until golden brown.
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders: Crispy, Golden Perfection
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
For steak fries, it is recommended to double fry the potatoes at two different temperatures. First, fry the potatoes at 325°F for 5 minutes. Then, increase the heat to 375°F and cook for another 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden brown.
First, cut the potatoes into wedges about 1/2 inch thick. Then, soak the wedges in a bowl of ice water for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Drain the potatoes and dry them thoroughly with a kitchen towel.
You can use various oils for frying steak fries, such as beef tallow, duck fat, soybean oil, peanut oil, or canola oil. Beef tallow and duck fat are more stable at high temperatures and produce crispier fries.
