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Ingredients
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Main
Optional rinse & soak
Method
Prepare potatoes
Wash and peel (optional)
Wash the potatoes thoroughly under cold running water to remove dirt. Peel them with a vegetable peeler if you prefer skin-off fries; leave skin on for a more rustic texture.
Cut into fries
Trim the potato ends and slice each potato lengthwise into 1/2-inch (about 12 mm) thick planks. Stack planks and cut lengthwise again into 1/2-inch sticks so fries are uniform in thickness for even cooking.
Rinse and soak (recommended)
Place cut fries in a large bowl and cover with cold water (or ice water). Swirl and rinse until water runs clearer to remove surface starch, then let soak 30 minutes to 2 hours (or at least 20 minutes) to firm the potato and reduce sticking. Drain and pat completely dry with clean kitchen towels or paper towels before frying.
Frying
Heat oil
Pour about 2 cups of vegetable oil into a heavy-bottomed pot or deep skillet to a depth of about 2 inches. Attach a thermometer and heat the oil to 325°F (163°C) for the first fry (blanching). If you don't have a thermometer, oil should shimmer but not smoke.
First fry (blanch)
Working in small batches (about a handful or 6–8 fries at a time depending on pot size), carefully lower dried fries into the oil and fry for 3–4 minutes until they are soft and pale (no browning). Use a slotted spoon to transfer fries to a wire rack or paper towels to drain. Let them cool for at least 10 minutes; you can refrigerate briefly to firm them further.
Increase heat
Raise the oil temperature to 375°F (190°C) for the final fry.
Second fry (crisp)
Working in batches again, fry the blanched fries for 2–3 minutes until golden brown and crisp. Avoid overcrowding the pot to maintain oil temperature. Remove fries with a slotted spoon and drain on a wire rack or paper towels.
Season
While still hot, sprinkle the fries with sea salt (about 1 tsp total, adjust to taste) and toss gently to coat evenly.
Serve
Serve the plain French fries immediately while hot and crisp. Offer ketchup, mayo, or other condiments on the side if desired.