Cody Casey
Deep-fat frying is a popular method for cooking frozen chips, yielding a classic diner-style fry. This technique involves submerging frozen chips in hot oil, typically between 350-375 °F (175-190 °C), to achieve a golden and crispy exterior. The process can be done in a dedicated deep fat fryer or a temperature-controlled pot, ensuring a consistent temperature for optimal results. To prevent oil temperature drop and sticking, it is crucial to cook chips in small batches, avoiding overcrowding in the fryer. While some prefer the convenience of air fryers or ovens for cooking frozen chips, deep-fat frying remains a favoured choice for those seeking traditional crispy, golden chips.
How to cook frozen chips in a deep fat fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Oil temperature | Between 160 ºC – 200 ºC |
| Oil type | Vegetable, canola, peanut, sunflower oil, animal fat, or beef dripping |
| Fryer type | Deep fat fryer, air fryer, or pot |
| Fry quantity | Small batches |
| Fry time | 3-7 minutes, until golden brown |
| Fry preparation | From frozen, no need to thaw |
| Basket preparation | Do not overload the basket |
| Oil reuse | Possible, but may take on flavours of food |
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What You'll Learn
How to get the right temperature
Getting the right temperature is crucial when cooking frozen chips in a deep fat fryer. The temperature should be high enough to cook the chips through and achieve the desired crispiness, but not so high that the chips burn before they are cooked.
The ideal temperature range for deep-frying frozen chips is between 350°F and 375°F (175°C–190°C). However, some sources recommend temperatures as low as 325°F (160°C) or as high as 410°F (210°C). The best temperature to use may depend on the type of oil or fat you are using, as well as your personal preference for crispiness.
To get the right temperature, it is important to preheat your deep fat fryer adequately before adding the frozen chips. This ensures that the oil or fat has reached the desired temperature and will cook the chips evenly. It is also crucial to avoid overcrowding the fryer with too many chips, as this can cause the oil temperature to drop. Add the chips in small batches, allowing enough space for the hot oil to circulate around them.
If you are using a traditional deep fat fryer, you may need to adjust the thermostat during the cooking process to maintain the desired temperature. It is important to keep the temperature as stable as possible for the best results. Alternatively, you can use a temperature-controlled pot, which allows you to set the desired temperature and maintains it throughout the cooking process.
By following these tips and adjusting the temperature as needed, you can find the right temperature for cooking frozen chips in your deep fat fryer and enjoy perfectly crispy, golden chips every time.
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Crispy vs soft chips
To make crispy chips, you can use the double frying method. First, parboil the chips for 8 minutes so that they get soft but not mushy. Then, drain the chips and heat the oil to 180 degrees Celsius. You can test this by putting a small piece of bread into the oil, which should brown in 3-4 minutes if the temperature is correct. Add the chips in slightly larger batches and fry until golden and crisp, which should take about 4 minutes. Drain the chips on a kitchen towel and sprinkle with salt, sauce, or vinegar.
For soft chips, you can cook the frozen chips in a deep fat fryer without the double frying method. Put the chips in the fryer straight from frozen and take them out when they are golden. You can also put the chips in a lunchbox with gravy for five minutes to make them soft and mushy.
It is important to note that when cooking frozen chips, the oil temperature will drop, so it is recommended to cook in batches. Additionally, there can be significant splashing when frying frozen chips, so be cautious and only put a few chips in at a time.
The type of potato and oil used can also affect the crispiness of the chips. For crispy chips, use a large, starchy potato variety such as Maris Piper, King Edward, or Russet. For the oil, choose one with a high smoke point that is well-refined, such as palm kernel oil or peanut oil. For softer chips, you can use a waxy potato variety and cook in vegetable oil or lard, which will result in a softer chip with less flavour.
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Cooking times
The cooking time for frozen chips in a deep-fat fryer varies depending on the size and thickness of the chips, the amount of chips being cooked, and the desired texture. For example, thicker chips will take longer to cook through, while a larger batch of chips will cause the oil temperature to drop, requiring more cooking time.
When deep-frying frozen chips, it is important to preheat the fryer adequately and set the temperature according to the recommendations on the packaging, usually between 350°F and 375°F (175°C—190°C). The temperature should be kept as stable as possible throughout the cooking process to ensure even cooking and the desired crispiness.
To achieve a classic diner-style fry, heat several inches of vegetable or canola oil in a deep fryer to 350-375°F. Add the frozen chips in small batches to avoid overcrowding and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the chips are golden and crispy.
For those who prefer their chips soft and mushy rather than crispy, it is recommended to cook the chips from frozen until they are golden, and then place them in a lunchbox with gravy for five minutes. This method will result in chips that are soft and saturated with the flavour of the gravy.
It is worth noting that the cooking time for frozen chips may vary depending on the type of deep-fat fryer being used. Some modern fryers, such as Ztove, offer temperature control and higher power, allowing for more precise and consistent cooking. With Ztove, it is recommended to preheat the oil to 220 °C for about 10 minutes, add the frozen chips, and fry them for approximately 7 minutes or until they float and turn golden.
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How to avoid oil splatters
To cook frozen chips in a deep-fat fryer, it is recommended to cook them directly from frozen. This will give them a crispy texture. To do this, heat oil to between 325 and 375 °F (163 and 191 °C). For the first fry, you can also heat the oil to 350 °F (177 °C). Place the frozen chips in a mesh frying basket, and slowly and carefully submerge them in the hot oil. Fry them until they are golden brown. Then, remove the chips and pat them dry with a paper towel. For the second fry, reheat the oil to 350 °F (177 °C) or turn the heat up to max, and fry the chips until they are crispy.
- Use a frying basket: Place your food in a mesh frying basket and slowly submerge it in the hot oil. This will ensure minimal oil splashes.
- Don't overload the fryer: Only fry a small amount of chips at a time. Adding too many chips at once will bring the oil temperature down and cause splattering.
- Don't drop the chips: Gently place the chips in the oil to avoid causing extra splatter.
- Use salt: Add a little salt to the oil before frying. This will soak up some of the moisture in the chips and prevent splattering.
- Use the right oil: Different frying oils have different smoking points. Oils with higher smoking points, such as palm oil, are more stable and less likely to splatter at high temperatures.
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Cooking in an air fryer
Air fryers are a healthier alternative to deep-fat frying as they use significantly less oil. They are also faster than cooking chips in the oven. You can use any brand of frozen chips in the air fryer, and they will come out crispy and golden brown.
To cook frozen chips in an air fryer, first preheat the air fryer to 200°C/392°F-400°F. It is important not to overcrowd the fryer basket, so only fill it halfway to three-quarters full. Arrange the chips in a single layer, ensuring they are not stacked and have some space between them. This is because the air needs to be able to circulate the oil around the food. You may need to cook the chips in batches.
Cook the chips for around 18–25 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping the chips every five minutes to ensure they cook evenly. For thicker chips, such as steak fries, add an additional 5–10 minutes. Check the chips regularly during the last few minutes of cooking to prevent them from over-browning. The chips are done when they are golden brown on the outside and slightly crisp on the outside but still soft on the inside.
You can spritz the chips with a little oil before cooking to help them crisp up, and add seasoning after cooking while they are still hot.
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Frequently asked questions
Put the chips in the deep fat fryer straight from frozen. Set the temperature to between 350°F and 375°F (175°C–190°C). Cook in small batches to prevent the oil temperature from dropping. Cook until golden.
The ideal temperature for cooking frozen chips in a deep fat fryer is between 350°F and 375°F (175°C–190°C).
The cooking time for frozen chips depends on their size and thickness. Typically, frozen chips will cook in 3 to 5 minutes, or 7 minutes if using a Ztove.
Yes, you can put frozen chips straight into a deep fat fryer without thawing them first.
Vegetable, canola, peanut, sunflower, or animal fats such as duck or beef fat are all good options for cooking frozen chips.
