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McDonald's French Fries - Copycat Recipe

Learn how to make McDonald's classic French Fry recipe at home! (And exactly how the restaurant does it!) These fries are golden and crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside!

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Soaking Time
2 hrs
Total Time
2 hrs 42 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 379 kcal
Course: Side Dish , Appetizer
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Brine
  • 8 cups cold water
  • ½ cup corn syrup (can sub 1/3 cup sugar)
  • 3 tablespoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
Fries
  • 6 large russet potatoes About 4.5 pounds
  • 1 quart vegetable oil
  • ½ cup vegetable shortening
  • salt for seasoning

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Combine the brine ingredients and set aside.
  2. Peel and rinse that potatoes.
  3. Slice them into strings just under ½ inch. (A french fry potato cutter makes this easy.)
  4. Place them in the cold brine as you slice them. Ensure the potatoes are completely submerged. Add more cold water if needed.
  5. Cover and place the brine in the fridge for 2 hours or overnight.
  6. Drain and rinse them twice with cold water. Pat them completely dry.
  7. Preheat oil to 300 degrees. (A dutch oven and oil thermometer is very helpful.)
  8. Fry the potatoes in batches for about 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towels. They will be very soft. (This is a good thing.)
  9. Add the vegetable shortening and increase the heat to 400 degrees. Fry in batches again until golden brown. (It’s hard to be patient during this part.)
  10. Remove and place on paper towels. Season with salt right away and serve!

Notes

  • How To Store and Reheat Leftovers
  • Refrigerating:
  • Freezing:
  • Make-Ahead Method
  • Be sure to try my French Fry Seasoning Recipe next!
  • Let any leftover fries cool completely and store them in a Freezer bag in the fridge, removing as much air from the bag as possible.
  • To reheat, bake at 350° F for  about 10 minutes. They reheat very well.
  • Flash freeze them on a baking sheet or plate until solid, 1 hour or so.
  • Store them in a freezer Ziploc bag in the freezer until ready to eat!
  • Reheat in a preheated 350° F oven until warm and crisp, about 15 minutes or so.
  • Soak the fries as instructed, dry them completely. Fry them in batches at 360° for 5 minutes. Place on a paper towel.
  • Transfer to a plate/tray and flash freeze them for 40 minutes.
  • Transfer to them to a freezer bag and freeze them for up to 3 months.
  • When ready to serve, remove them from the freezer and fry them in batches at 400° until golden brown, about 5 minutes.
  • Transfer to paper towels and season them immediately with salt.

Nutrition Information

Calories 379kcal (19%) Carbohydrates 58g (19%) Protein 7g (14%) Fat 15g (23%) Saturated Fat 10g (50%) Sodium 452mg (19%) Potassium 1332mg (38%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 2g (4%) Vitamin C 18mg (20%) Calcium 42mg (4%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 379

% Daily Value*

Calories 379kcal 19%
Carbohydrates 58g 19%
Protein 7g 14%
Fat 15g 23%
Saturated Fat 10g 50%
Sodium 452mg 19%
Potassium 1332mg 28%
Fiber 4g 16%
Sugar 2g 4%
Vitamin C 18mg 20%
Calcium 42mg 4%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.