When it comes to making the perfect home-made french fries or chips, the type of potato you use is very important. Not all potatoes are created equal when it comes to frying, so choosing the right variety is key to getting crispy, golden fries that are fluffy on the inside. Here’s a look at some of the best types of potatoes to use for deep frying chips at home.
What Makes a Good Chip Potato?
To get perfectly fried chips, you need potatoes that have specific characteristics:
- Higher starch content – This helps the chips get crispy on the outside.
- Lower moisture content – Less water means the potatoes will fry up crispier.
- Medium starch content – Too much starch results in mushy fries.
- Hold their shape well – You want the chips to stay intact and not break down during frying.
Waxy potatoes like red potatoes have lower starch and won’t fry up as crispy. Floury, starchy potatoes make the best chips.
The Top 5 Chip Potato Varieties
Here are 5 of the most popular potato varieties that make fantastic homemade chips:
1. Russet
Russet potatoes are the most common choice for french fries and chips. They have light brown, netted skin and white flesh. Their high starch content means they fry up crispy on the outside while still being fluffy inside.
2. Maris Piper
This British potato is prized for chips thanks to its flaky, fluffy texture. It has smooth, light tan skin and is longer and more oval shaped. Maris Piper potatoes fry up with that distinctive fluffy chip shop texture.
3. Yukon Gold
Yukon gold potatoes are a versatile all-purpose potato, but their medium starch content also makes them great for frying. They have thin, smooth yellow skin and yellow flesh. Their natural buttery flavor comes through when fried into chips.
4. King Edward
King Edward potatoes are long and oval with a floury texture ideal for making chips. Their high starch means they fry up extra crispy. They have dark pink-ish skin and bright white flesh.
5. Desiree
This European heirloom variety has vibrant pinkish-red skin and yellow flesh. Desiree potatoes are waxy when boiled but have enough starch to make crispy fries when fried. They have a naturally sweet, nutty flavor.
Tips for Frying Potatoes into Chips
Follow these top tips for crispy, crunchy homemade chips:
- Cut potatoes into equally sized batons around 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick.
- Rinse cut potatoes in cold water to remove excess starch.
- Dry potatoes thoroughly before frying – excess moisture causes soggy chips.
- Double fry the potatoes at 325°F to 375°F for best texture.
- Fry once to cook through, drain and fry again to crisp up.
- Season immediately out of the oil with salt.
Conclusion
While most potato varieties can be fried into chips, some are clearly better suited than others. Floury, high starch potatoes like Russets, Maris Pipers and King Edwards make the crispiest fries and chips. Waxy, low starch potatoes won’t fry up quite as crispy. Use these chipping potato recommendations and frying tips to make picture-perfect homemade french fries and chips.