How To Avoid Soggy Fries | Plus Other Restaurant Reviews To Avoid | Simplot Foods - Southeast Asia (2024)

Limp, greasy fries can really ruin a good dish–and in some serious cases, the restaurant’s reputation. This isn’t an exaggeration, there are numerous restaurant reviews on the internet that complains about how terrible their fries were.

In this post, we discover some of the most common complaints about french fries and how you can avoid them.

Soggy fries

Fries have a very high starch content. When they are cooked at high temperatures, they absorb moisture which gives them their signature crispy exterior. When they are left out to cool, the starches secrete moisture, which eventually makes the fries’ crust soggy.

How do you make sure your fries stay crisp? Opt for clear-coated ones. A clear starch coating keeps your fries’ exterior crispy and interior fluffy for much longer. OurSimplot Conquest® Delivery+® Fries are exceptional in texture thanks to their 30+ minute holding time. They are also available in various cuts and forms to fit any dish.

Choosing the right takeout containers is as important as choosing the right frozen fries. Choose packaging that offers good temperature retention, strength, and ventilation to allow steam escape–paper bags and containers are best at that. While plastic and styrofoam are the cheaper alternatives, they’re bad for the environment. But if you must use them, make sure to punch holes for ventilation.

Soggy and limp fries, to your diners, are as good as eating leftovers in the fridge. So, prepare fries that are worth leaving the house for.

Re-fried fries

Another complaint is rock-hard fries. Some restaurants just prefer to refry old fries instead of making a fresh batch. Yikes.

To make sure your fries arrive warm and tasty at your diner’s table, Simplot Conquest® clear-coated fries can extend their ‘fresh-from-fryer’ crispiness for up to 15 minutes after cooking. Keeping them warm under a heat lamp or on a steam table can also help for a period of time. Never, ever, refry!

Off flavors

Some reviews also mention that their fries taste ‘fishy’. Old, oxidated, and irregularly filtered frying oil can really affect the quality and taste of your fries.

A well-used fryer oil should be filtered at least once a day, making sure any free-floating bits and slivers are removed completely. Avoid frying other foods like seafood with the same oil, as this will–very noticeably–ruin the taste of your fries.

Greasy fries

Unlike premium fries, inexpensive or ‘bargain’ ones typically contain much more water than solids (from potatoes). When they are cooked in hot oil, all that water evaporates, sucking in excessive oil inside.

It’s always worth it to invest in premium fries. Simplot Blue Ribbon®, Simplot Classic®, Simplot Infinity®, Simplot Conquest® or any of our seasoned/batter fries like Simplot SeasonedCrisp® works wonders as they absorb less and taste great all around.

Next, make sure the temperature and time are set properly as per printed on the package. Another tip is to avoid overfilling your basket. An overfilled basket causes the fryer to heat the fries more slowly, resulting in undercooked fries.

Pay attention to your fries

Your diners will always have high expectations of these golden sticks of potato. And with online reviews becoming more and more important for restaurants, it’s only right that you prepare your fries correctly.

How To Avoid Soggy Fries | Plus Other Restaurant Reviews To Avoid | Simplot Foods - Southeast Asia (2024)

FAQs

What makes fried potatoes soggy? ›

Pouring cool or room temp oil over the potatoes is a sure fire way to end up with soggy spuds. There are lots of breakfast recipes on our website. I've included a few below. And for all things hash browns, check out this link.

Why do restaurants soak fries in water? ›

The main reasons to cut the potatoes and pre-soak in water are: To allow the excess starches and sugars to be removed from the outer surface of the fry strips AND to keep the potatoes from browning prematurely from exposure to air. Covering in water helps the potato from turning a dark color.

What does it mean when fries are soggy? ›

If a fry is soggy, it's because oil has seeped into the fry. When you bite into a soggy fry, it's probably going to feel and taste extra oily. The most common reason fries would be soggy is because it wasn't fried at a high enough temperature.

Why did the fries turn out soggy he fried them longer than the recipe called for and they still never became crispy? ›

Soggy fries have usually either been cooked in oil that isn't hot enough, or were cooked in too large a batch, overcrowding the pan and reducing the heat. The secret to getting tasty French fries that are crisp on the outside and nice and fluffy on the inside is to fry them twice.

How do you transport french fries without getting soggy? ›

Use Paper Towels

If you're unable to find containers with ventilation holes, you can use paper towels to help keep your fried food crispy. Simply place a layer of paper towels in the bottom of the container before adding the food. The paper towels will absorb any excess moisture and help to maintain the crispy texture.

Does soaking potatoes make better fries? ›

Take a large bowl and soak the potatoes in cold water. Make sure that you soak the potatoes for at least 2-3 hours. Soaking the sliced potatoes in cold water is one of the main steps to prepare perfect French Fries. The cold water removes the starch present outside the potatoes so that you get perfectly crispy fries.

Why add vinegar in water for french fries? ›

When a small amount of vinegar is added to the soaking water before frying, it can help impart a tangy flavor to the fries without making them taste overly vinegary. The acid in the vinegar can also help to slightly break down the surface of the potatoes, aiding in the development of a crispier texture during frying.

Should you rinse or soak fries? ›

Soak, rinse, and pat.

Soaking them right after cutting minimizes oxygen contact and keeps the fries looking fresh and appetizing. After slicing all the potatoes, rinse them with cold water multiple times until the water runs clear. This process helps remove excess starch and sugars from the potato surfaces.

What are the best potatoes for french fries? ›

And the clear winners are Idaho or russet potatoes.

These potatoes are dense and have less moisture, which is key to avoiding soggy fries. You can also use Yukon gold potatoes, which are an all-purpose potato that can be used for frying. You should avoid waxy potatoes like red-skinned, new, or fingerling potatoes.

Does closing the bag make fries soggy? ›

To prevent your fries from turning soggy on the ride home, all you have to do is leave the bag open. Why does this work? Because an open bag lets the steam from the hot food escape. If you don't open the bag, the steam will make your fries, and possibly other foods, soggy.

How to keep French fries crispy for a long time? ›

If you want to keep them crisp for a good amount of time though, use the double fry technique. Fry them at a lower temperature for as long as it takes to cook them through and become a light golden color. Take them out and let them sit for a while. You can put them in the fridge or freeze them at this point.

What does 🍟 mean? ›

The French Fries emoji 🍟 depicts a carton of French fries. It is commonly used to represent French fries, fast food, or specifically the fast food chain McDonald's.

What causes fries to get soggy? ›

Fries have a very high starch content. When they are cooked at high temperatures, they absorb moisture which gives them their signature crispy exterior. When they are left out to cool, the starches secrete moisture, which eventually makes the fries' crust soggy.

How do you get moisture out of potatoes for fries? ›

Fill a large bowl with cold water and stir in 2 tablespoons of salt. Place the sliced potatoes in the salt water and let them soak for 15 to 30 minutes. This will help them bake up crispier. When the potatoes are done soaking, drain them, and dry very well with a towel.

Why are my frozen French fries soggy? ›

When the fries cook in direct contact with the tray, the heat can cause the frozen fries to steam which ultimately turns them soggy.

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