Carolina Gazal embarked on a culinary journey to determine the best method for cooking frozen french fries, testing four different appliances to find the optimal outcome. With a bag of Ore-Ida Golden Shoestrings in hand, Carolina set out to discover which appliance would deliver the perfect balance of
crispy texture and juicy flavor.
Thawing and Preparation
Carolina began by thawing out the frozen french fries, opting for a pack of Ore-Ida Golden Shoestrings. After thawing, she prepared to cook the fries in four different appliances: a pan, oven, air fryer, and grill.
Pan-Frying: Crispy and Juicy
Using a simple pan and vegetable oil, Carolina pan-fried the frozen fries until golden brown. Despite a mishap with the first batch, which resulted in burnt fries, she successfully cooked a second batch to perfection. The pan-fried fries turned out warm, juicy, and slightly toasty, making them an instant favorite.
Oven-Baking: Aesthetically Pleasing but Dry
Carolina arranged the fries in a single layer on a baking sheet and baked them in the oven at 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Although the oven-baked fries looked aesthetically pleasing, resembling her favorite fast-food version, they lacked juiciness compared to the pan-fried ones.
Air Frying: Easy and Almost Perfect
Despite initial high hopes, Carolina found her small air fryer to be the least practical option due to its limited capacity. However, air-frying proved to be effortless, requiring minimal monitoring and cleanup. The air-fried fries turned out nearly perfect, with a crunchy outer layer and soft middle, although slightly less juicy than the pan-fried ones.
Grilling: Quick but Dry
Using aluminum foil to prevent the fries from falling through the grates, Carolina grilled a handful of fries alongside other barbecue staples. While the grilled fries cooked quickly and acquired some smoky flavor, they turned out too dry and tough for Carolina’s taste.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Carolina found that pan-frying yielded the juiciest and crispiest fries, making it her top choice for cooking frozen french fries. Despite its limited capacity, the air fryer offered a convenient alternative with excellent results. While the oven and grill showed promise, they fell short in terms of juiciness and texture. Carolina plans to spice up future batches of fries with salt, pepper, or oregano for added flavor.
