3 Frozen French Fries These Chefs Swear By

Did you know that the secret to crisp, golden french fries — you know, the ones that seem to only come out of an industrial-grade deep fryer — is actually right in the freezer section at your local grocery store? You’ll find bags of frozen fries in a host of professional kitchens, from fast-food drive-thrus to fancy dining rooms. Many of them are just as delicious (if not more so!) than those cut from a fresh potato. 

I was curious to learn what brands are worth their weight in salt. So I reached out to three chefs to find out which frozen fries they keep stocked in their freezers at home. While they all agree that crispy is crucial, they each have a different favorite. Let’s take a look.

“I love the classic Ore-Ida Extra Crispy Fast Food Fries when I’m cooking at home. The texture is really fluffy inside, but with a strong, crispy outside. They also aren’t too seasoned so their flavor yields well to any dipping sauce (I prefer honey mustard, personally). Because these have a pretty strong structure, I like to make them into poutine at home with some brown gravy and melted cheese on top — absolutely delicious!” — Layne Webster, baker at Cafe Besalu, Seattle

Buy: Ore-Ida Extra Crispy Fast Food Fries, $3.59 for 26 ounces at Target

“I like to keep Great Value brand thin-cut or waffle-cut fries in my freezer. As a budget chef I go for the cheapest brand I can find to save money, but after trying the competition these stuck around for the incomparable taste! They’re soft and starchy inside but with a perfectly seasoned outside, and the crosshatch cut and broad surface area makes these great for dipping sauces and toppings (hello, chili cheese fries!). I like to fry my fries in oil so they come out just like at a good restaurant: crispy. Be sure to not crowd the pot and drain them on a wire rack or risk a pile of soggy, limp, sad excuses for fries.” — Lexy Rogers, chef and author of Break Bread on a Budget

Buy: Great Value Frozen Waffle Fries, $3.32 for 24 ounces at Walmart

“Alexia House Cut Fries are my favorite frozen fry because they are cut super thin, bordering on shoestring fries. They always come out of the oven exceptionally crunchy and a little drier inside than some other brands, which I think adds to the crunch factor. Texturally, they almost taste like a cross between a fry and a potato chip, which might not be everyone’s preference for fries, but I find them irresistibly snackable. ” — Isabel Ferris, prep cook at Hale’s Ales, Seattle

Buy: Alexia Frozen House Cut Fries, $4.79 for 28 ounces at Target

Did your favorite frozen french fries make the list? Tell us in the comments.