Since going on a gluten free diet, I have realized just where gluten is all present. A lot of the fries that are fried in restaurants are deep fried in large deep fryers that also fry other breaded items, like chicken fingers and fish sticks. Those items contain gluten, which is then transfered to the oil, then to your fries. So, I have not bothered chancing it when it comes to the take out food. However, I was craving some good old deep fried french fries. So, I decided to make some in my own kitchen, where I knew there would be no cross contamination.
A few weeks ago on Kevin’s blog he showed us how he made home fries to go with his fish & chips dinner. After reading that, I decided to give it a try. I read a few other recipes, and some of them mentioned soaking your cut potatoes in sugar water prior to frying them. I decided to give this a try. I did not have russet potatoes at home, so I used red potatoes instead. These fries were definitely tasty, but will not become a regular here, because of the deep frying. Just a “special treat” kind of thing. 
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup white sugar
- 2 cups warm water
- 2 large russet potatoes – peeled, and sliced into 1/4 inch strips
- 6 cups vegetable oil for frying
- salt to taste
Directions:
- Cut potatoes into desired shape.
- In a medium bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water. Soak potatoes in water mixture for 15 minutes. Remove from water, and dry thoroughly on paper towels.
- Carefully heat the oil to 325 degrees F.
- Add fries & fry until pale & floppy (about 2-3 minutes).
- Remove fries from oil.
- Increase oil temperature to approximately 375 degrees F.
- Carefully add the fries back into the oil. Continue to fry for another 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Remove fries from oil. Drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with salt if you so desire.
Very interesting, as I’d never before considered the problems of having to be gluten free, extending as far as contaminated deep fryers. Did you think the sugar water made a difference to the end result at all? Those fries look great – wonderfully golden
They look amazing! Know what else is gluten free? Ice cream! (I think). Don’t forget my ice cream contest!
Y – I'm not sure if the sugar made a difference. From what I've read, others have tested, and they said the sugar bath (hehe) had indeed made the fries crispier than just cutting & frying.
Anon in NY – I nearly forgot! Thanks for the reminder, I'll get right on it!
(and believe it or not, not all ice creams are GF, that's just wrong).
This picture made me really really hungry. this looks so great!, i am sure that it came really tasty
Nothing better than a really good, really fresh, really crisp french fry! I always hesitate to get into frying projects because of the mess but there’s something undeniably appealing about fried foods. These look delicious and I love the picture.
Oooh, I bookmarked Kevin’s fries too! And after seeing yours as well, I’ll be indulging in these sooner than later
those fries look great!
Yummy!
I always make baked fries… will have to try these sometime!
I hadn’t heard of the sugar thing before but these fries look real good!
I hadn’t heard of the sugar thing either, how interesting. Your photo looks superb, way better than the fries usually served at restaurants. I’ll admit: I’m pretty intimidated by deep-fat frying anything, but maybe I can convince my partner to give it a shot. He recently did deep-fat fried cheese sticks (!!)
I found your site through a comment that you left on Kevin’s blog, although I saw these perfect french fries on Foodgawker too. I love your site. You are s super-cook and your photos are stunning!
Your fries look perfectly golden brown and crispy and good!
they look good! I love chunky fries and you really made them well
Those look delicious, I have it on my to try list, I have all the ingredients just need to sit down and do it hehe, Im sure my daughter will help me
Carm
I think I am going to try these tonight when I make Rubens. They look great.