How Are Commercial French Fries Made?

Have you ever wondered how those crispy French fries you enjoy at restaurants or make at home from frozen bags are made? Let’s take a look at the simple steps involved in making commercial French fries.

Potato Selection

First, the right kind of potatoes is chosen. Varieties like Russet Burbank or Shepody work well because they have high starch content and low sugar levels, which give the fries their desirable texture.

Washing and Peeling

The potatoes are thoroughly cleaned to remove dirt and then mechanically peeled to remove the outer skin, leaving behind the edible part.

Cutting

Once peeled, the potatoes are sent through a special machine called a cutter. This machine slices the potatoes into those long, thin pieces we know as French fries. They’re cut to a specific thickness, usually around 0.25 to 0.375 inches.

Blanching

The raw potato fries are briefly cooked in hot water or steam for a few minutes. This step helps partially cook the potatoes, deactivates enzymes, and removes excess starch on the surface. It also helps retain the natural color of the potatoes.

Cooling

After blanching, the fries are rapidly cooled down using cold water or air. This quick cooling process stops the cooking and keeps the potatoes firm, preventing them from becoming too soft.

Drying

The blanched and cooled fries are then dried to remove any excess moisture. This can be done using machines that blow hot air or by passing the fries through conveyor belts with fans. Drying helps prepare the fries for the next step.

Pre-frying

Next comes the pre-frying stage. The partially cooked and dried fries are placed in vegetable oil or a blend of oils heated to a high temperature. They’re fried quickly, forming a golden outer layer and giving them that crispy texture we all love.

Freezing

Once pre-fried, the fries are rapidly frozen using special freezers. Quick freezing helps maintain their shape, texture, and overall quality. The temperature is dropped below -18°C (0°F) to ensure they stay frozen until ready to cook.

Packaging

After freezing, the French fries are carefully packaged in bags or cartons. The packaging is designed to keep the fries fresh, protected from freezer burn, and free from contamination. Some packaging may contain a nitrogen-rich atmosphere to preserve its quality.

Distribution

The packaged frozen French fries are then distributed to various restaurants, food service establishments, and retail stores, ready for consumers like you to enjoy.

Cooking

When you’re ready to enjoy your French fries, you can deep-fry or bake them according to the instructions on the package. This final step completes the cooking process, resulting in hot and crispy French fries to satisfy your cravings.

Summary

Commercial French fries go through a simple but carefully orchestrated process. From selecting the right potatoes to cutting, blanching, drying, pre-frying, freezing, and packaging, each step plays a role in delivering those delicious, crispy fries we all love. So, the next time you indulge in a plate of French fries, you’ll have a better understanding of the journey they’ve taken to reach your plate.

At Taizy Company, we provide a full french fries production line to manufacture frozen french fries. The capacity of this plant is from 50kg/h to 1000kg/h. And we support strong customization services to meet any specific requirements. Welcome to contact us to start your french fries making business.