There is only one variety of potato you should choose to make homemade french fries
There's no tuber more beloved than the humble potato. You can mash it, boil it, fry it, grate it, steam it, or roast it, and the result will always be delicious. This food is undoubtedly versatile, but there are a few things to keep in mind.
Opt for a tuber with a high starch content and a dry consistency. For these characteristics, there's no better choice than the russet potato. After parboiling, an essential step for truly crispy homemade fries, the potato acquires a creamy texture. This variety softens remarkably thanks to its high starch content. Its unique structure absorbs a good amount of water, resulting in the desired soft texture. So all you'll need is a large frying pan to fry them, and you'll have homemade fries with the perfect texture.
Russet potatoes, rich in starch, are ideal for frying at home.
Russet potatoes have the classic appearance of a potato. Large and elongated, brown, and with a rough skin, often covered in dirt, they conceal their charm. Their flavor is balanced, with neutral, though slightly earthy, notes. In contrast to the skin, their texture is smooth and silky, with a light and airy feel.
This combination of factors makes the russet potato a very popular variety. It's frequently used for roast potatoes, as well as hash browns and other potato dishes. So it's no surprise that it's also a favorite for homemade fries. Its generous size makes it easy to cut into perfect cubes, and its thicker skin adds a variety of textures. Plus, this variety is usually easy to find, so getting your hands on some won't be a problem. Just be careful when preparing them—you might want to use a salad spinner to remove excess water—and before you know it, homemade russet potato fries are sure to impress everyone.
