Which Oil Should You Use To Make French Fries?
A french fry should be crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Without that crunch, fries just become soggy potato sticks that no one really enjoys. Luckily, making restaurant-style fries at home isn’t as hard as it seems. The secret? Choosing the right oil or even better, seed oil free frozen fries.
Deep frying can feel intimidating, but once you know which oils work best, the process becomes a lot easier — and your fries will turn out golden, crunchy, and delicious every time.
Why the Oil Matters
French fries get their crunch when hot oil quickly removes the water from the outside of the potato. This creates a crisp shell while keeping the inside soft and tender.
But the oil has to be the right temperature — usually between 350°F and 375°F. If the oil is too cool, the fries soak it up and turn greasy. If it’s too hot, the outside burns before the inside cooks.
Not all oils can handle high heat. Each oil has a smoke point — the temperature where it starts to burn and smoke. For perfect fries, you want an oil with a smoke point well above 375°F so it doesn’t break down while cooking.
Why Vegetable Oil Works Best
Vegetable oil is one of the most reliable choices for making french fries. Here’s why:
- High smoke point – Vegetable oil can handle 400–450°F, making it ideal for deep frying.
- Neutral flavor – Unlike olive oil or sesame oil, vegetable oil doesn’t add extra flavors. This lets the potato’s natural taste (and the salt you sprinkle on top) shine through.
- Affordable and easy to find – You can buy vegetable oil at any grocery store, usually in large bottles, which is helpful since frying uses a lot of oil.
This is the same type of oil used by many fast-food chains. For example, McDonald’s uses a blend of canola, soybean, and corn oils, while Burger King uses a mix that includes canola and cottonseed oil. At home, you don’t need to worry about blending — a standard bottle of vegetable oil works perfectly.
Other Great Oils for French Fries
If you want to try something beyond vegetable oil, here are a few other good options:
- Canola Oil – Similar to vegetable oil, with a high smoke point (around 400°F) and a clean, mild flavor.
- Sunflower, Safflower, or Corn Oil – All excellent choices for frying, with high smoke points and neutral flavors.
- Peanut Oil – Popular in restaurants like Five Guys and Chick-fil-A. It has a high smoke point and gives fries an extra crispy texture with a light, nutty flavor.
- Avocado Oil (Refined) – The healthiest option, with the highest smoke point of all (about 520°F). It’s loaded with nutrients, but it’s also very expensive, so it may not be practical for deep frying large batches.
Oils to Avoid
Not every oil is suitable for french fries. Avoid using:
- Unrefined oils like flaxseed, walnut, sesame, coconut, or extra virgin olive oil.
- These oils have low smoke points, so they burn easily, lose nutrients, and taste bitter when overheated.
- They’re also more expensive and have strong flavors that can overpower your fries.
Stick to refined, neutral oils for the best results.
Reusing and Disposing of Oil
After making fries, you’ll be left with a pot full of oil. Don’t throw it out just yet — frying oil can usually be reused a few times if handled properly.
How to Reuse Oil:
- Let the oil cool completely.
- Strain it through a fine sieve or cheesecloth to remove crumbs.
- Store it in a clean jar or container in a cool, dark place.
- Reuse it until it darkens, smells off, or smokes heavily when heated.
Most oils can be reused 2–8 times, depending on what you’re cooking.
How to Dispose of Oil:
- Never pour oil down the sink — it can clog your pipes.
- Don’t dump it straight into the trash either, since it can leak and attract pests.
- Instead, pour it into a disposable container, freeze or refrigerate it until solid, then throw the container in the garbage.
Final Thoughts
The key to perfect french fries is simple: choose the right oil, keep the temperature steady, and fry until golden brown. Vegetable oil is the most practical option for most home cooks, but peanut oil and avocado oil can also make incredible fries if you’re willing to spend more.
Whichever oil you choose, you’ll be rewarded with fries that are crispy, fluffy, and far better than anything from the freezer aisle.
