Home Fries Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

Home Fries Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (1)

By: Becky Hardin

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This simple home fries recipe makes the crispiest potatoes with just a few ingredients. I love to make this for my family on weekends or anytime they’re craving a hearty breakfast. They’re perfectly seasoned and pan-fried with onions for a savory side dish.

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Table of Contents

What’s in this Home Fries Recipe?

I love that this recipe only calls for a handful of ingredients, most of which are already in our pantry. These breakfast potatoes are super simple for me to cook up anytime one of the kids gets a craving.

  • Potatoes: Yukon Gold potatoes work best for home fries since they have a high starch content. Russet potatoes will work too.
  • Vinegar: Adding vinegar (I used distilled white vinegar) to the pot of water will help the potatoes stay intact while boiling so they don’t fall apart or get mushy.
  • Fats: Use both butter and vegetable oil for pan-frying. This adds in more richness and helps everything get super crispy.
  • Onion: Diced onions add flavor and texture into the mix.
  • Seasonings: Salt and pepper, plus fresh thyme and cilantro are all you need to season these potatoes.

Pro Tip: I only need to boil the potatoes about 5 minutes, just until they start to get tender. I don’t like when they get too soft!

What else can I add to these home-fried potatoes?

I recommend adding in garlic (as much as you like) while cooking the onions for a more savory flavor. I also love to mix in bacon crumbles, different herbs and spices, or even make them cheesy!

  • For spicier potatoes, I add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.
  • For cheesy home fries, I melt shredded cheese on top at the end (I recommend a sharp cheddar).
  • For a final touch, I top potatoes with hot sauce, ketchup, or sour cream.
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Can I make home fries with sweet potatoes?

Yes! Sweet potatoes are quite starchy, so they work fine as a substitute. Just follow the directions as is.

Do you have to boil potatoes before frying them?

Yes, the potatoes need to be boiled briefly in order to soften them, otherwise they won’t cook through fully while frying.

How do get super crispy potatoes?

Using both butter and oil creates a really crispy texture when pan-frying these potatoes. Let the skillet, butter, and oil fully heat up before adding the potatoes. Lastly, let the potatoes cool and dry after par-boiling (don’t transfer them directly to the skillet).

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How to Make Ahead and Store

These potatoes are going to be their best if served fresh. When I do want to make them ahead of time I just boil, cool, chop, and refrigerate the potatoes until it’s time to eat. Then I quickly pan-fry them and serve.

Once cooked, I let the home fries cool completely, then store leftovers in an airtight container. We keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days.

How to Freeze and Reheat

Freeze these home fries in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in a warm skillet with more butter to help them crisp.

Serving Suggestions

These classic diner-style home fries go well with all our favorite breakfast foods! I love to serve them with a stack of buttermilk pancakes, scrambled eggs, buttery toast, crispy brown sugar bacon, and plenty of iced coffee.

They also make a great side for steak and eggs, a breakfast burger, or these croissant breakfast sandwiches.

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Recipe

Home Fries Recipe

4.41 from 102 votes

Prep: 15 minutes minutes

Cook: 30 minutes minutes

Total: 45 minutes minutes

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Serves4

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These home-fried potatoes are pan-fried until crispy for the most delicious side dish to pair with eggs, bacon, and pancakes.

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Ingredients

  • pounds Yukon Gold potatoes
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil divided
  • 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 sweet yellow onion diced
  • 1-2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme
  • Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro parsley or chives

Instructions

  • Place the potatoes in a medium pot and cover with cold water. Add 1 tablespoon kosher salt and 1 tablespoon vinegar. Stir well. Set the heat to high and boil the potatoes until just tender (approximately 5 minutes after water has reached a boil). Drain. Cool, to touch, and cut potatoes into fourths. Place the potatoes in a bowl and toss with 1 tablespoon oil.

    1½ pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, 1 tablespoon kosher salt, 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar

  • While potatoes boil, heat 1 tablespoon oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet set over medium heat just until the oil shimmers. Add the onion, sprinkle with salt & pepper and cook until onion is translucent and tender, 3-4 minutes. Transfer onion to a paper-towel lined plate and remove skillet from heat.

    3 tablespoons vegetable oil, 2 tablespoon unsalted butter, 1 sweet yellow onion, Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper

  • When potatoes are ready, set the skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon oil and 1 tablespoon butter. Heat the oil & butter until the oil shimmers, and add the quartered potatoes. Season the potatoes with salt and pepper, and cook in a single layer until potatoes are crispy and lightly browned on the bottom (about 6 minutes).

    3 tablespoons vegetable oil, 2 tablespoon unsalted butter

  • Add the cooked onions and thyme to the potatoes; toss and season to taste. If desired, add cilantro, parsley or chives. Serve immediately.

    1-2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme, 1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro

  • Enjoy!

Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 284kcal (14%) Carbohydrates: 32g (11%) Protein: 4g (8%) Fat: 16g (25%) Saturated Fat: 5g (31%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g Monounsaturated Fat: 4g Trans Fat: 0.3g Cholesterol: 15mg (5%) Sodium: 1764mg (77%) Potassium: 762mg (22%) Fiber: 4g (17%) Sugar: 3g (3%) Vitamin A: 209IU (4%) Vitamin C: 36mg (44%) Calcium: 32mg (3%) Iron: 1mg (6%)

Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!

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More Potato Side Dishes We Love

  • Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes
  • Au Gratin Potatoes
  • Crockpot Potato Casserole
  • Air Fryer Potato Wedges
  • Garlic Parmesan Sweet Potato Fries
  • Roasted Red Potatoes with Bacon
  • Twice Baked Potato Casserole

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Home Fries Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to homemade french fries? ›

Before all that, though, the secret is to briefly poach them in boiling water (or "blanch" them) before they go into the hot oil. This ensures that the fries are cooked all the way through before getting crisped up in the fryer.

What's the difference between hash browns and home fries? ›

Hash browns (or hash browns and hashed browns), are traditionally shredded potatoes that are pan fried to a golden brown. Home fries are made from cubed or diced potatoes. They are fried up along with onions and often bell peppers. Really the difference is in the size of the potatoes.

Are home fries healthy? ›

By using heart-healthy olive oil and baking your hand-cut fries, you'll be getting all of the nutrients potatoes naturally have to offer, according to the USDA, without all of the unhealthy fats and preservatives so common in fast food fries, per McDonald's.

What are cottage fries made of? ›

Served as a side dish, appetizer, or snack, cottage fries are potatoes (preferably Russet, but more on this below) cut into 1/2-inch rounds, seasoned, and roasted in a hot oven until they're crisp and lightly browned on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

What happens if you don t soak potatoes before making fries? ›

This step is commonly missed in making homemade fries, but it might be one of the most important! Soaking your fries in cold water helps remove excess starch, which allows for crispy, golden fries! The cold water bath also helps the french fries retain their shape and contributes to a fluffy inside.

Why aren't my homemade fries crispy? ›

If they are still not crispy you might have skipped a step or you might not have let them cool down sufficiently. Make sure to cool them in a single even layer and also make sure that the oil has the right temperature. Or maybe you've used the wrong potatoes to make them.

Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen hash browns? ›

Substitute fresh potatoes for 30 ounces of frozen hashbrowns. Substitute diced green onions for 3 tablespoons dried chives.

Is home fries a southern thing? ›

Are home fries Southern? Home fries are a breakfast staple in the South, often eaten alongside a plate of eggs and bacon. They can serve as the main dish or a side dish. Other regions have variations of home fries with names like fried potatoes or bistro potatoes.

How do you get the moisture out of potatoes? ›

Try draining the cooked water off in a sieve or colander and then placing back on the stove to cook out some of the extra moisture, just a couple of minutes. Mash with a masher (or a ricer which makes great non lumpy spuds).

How long should I soak potatoes for fries? ›

If you're pressed for time, the slightly sticky, cut potatoes should be soaked for a minimum of 15 minutes. However, a longer soak time may allow more starch to be removed. So, if you can prep the fries ahead of time, a few hours of soaking can help make them even crispier.

Do you have to soak potatoes before frying? ›

A: 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 are Oprah fries? ›

Dip potato fries into egg whites. Do not overcoat. Place coated potato onto sprayed baking sheet. Sprinkle spice on potatoes. BAke 40-45 minutes until crispy.

What are fairy fries? ›

The Fairy Fries are thin, crisp match sticks bursting with flavor from lemon, rosemary and a crunchy coarse salt. These fries are addicting!

What are mac fries? ›

Ingredients: Potatoes, Vegetable Oil (canola Oil, Corn Oil, Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Natural Beef Flavor [wheat And Milk Derivatives]*), Dextrose, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate (maintain Color), Salt. *natural Beef Flavor Contains Hydrolyzed Wheat And Hydrolyzed Milk As Starting Ingredients.

Should I soak my potatoes before making french fries? ›

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.

What do you soak fries in before frying? ›

The best potatoes for French fries are soaked in a sugar solution before frying. The sugar solution has something to do with the carbohydrates and prevents the potatoes from soaking up a lot of grease, so they get crunchy.

What is the secret to restaurant french fries? ›

Blanching: The Reason Why French Fries Taste Better

Your potatoes need to take two separate dips in hot oil to reach restaurant quality. Oil-blanching is a two-part process that reduces the moisture and starch content in your fries, helping them crisp up.

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