Fried potatoes are one of the most popular snacks in the world. Crunchy, pleasantly salty and great for munching, it's hard to beat them. They are also perfect for any occasion, from a picnic to a weekend on the sofa running a marathon of your favorite show. When the hand reaches the bottom of the bag and there are only a few crumbs left, you are probably immediately tempted to run and buy them. However, if you have potatoes, salt, and oil in your pantry, you don't need to leave the house. Homemade fried potatoes can be prepared in minutes using a standard microwave oven. With this quick and easy recipe, you won't have to give up either the texture or taste of the chips.
Ingrediants
- 1 or more large Idaho or similar potatoes, washed and sliced
- 60-90ml cooking oil (canola, olive, peanut or sunflower seeds)
- Salt, pepper and other seasonings to taste
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Wash and Slice the Potatoes
Step 1. Cut the potatoes into thin slices
To start, cut them in half lengthwise. Then, slice them into 1/8 or 1/16 thick sections using a sharp kitchen knife, manual vegetable cutter, or mandolin. Place the slices in a colander or colander as you proceed with the rest of the preparation.
- A single potato is enough to prepare a single portion snack. If you want to share it with other people, use at least 2 large potatoes.
- If you want, you can peel the potatoes before cutting them into slices. If they are not fresh, it is recommended to peel them to remove sprouts, spots and bad spots.
Step 2. Rinse the potato slices with cold water
Turn on the tap and let the water run over the slices immediately after cutting them. In the first few moments the water may appear cloudy or dirty, as traces of dirt, starch and liquid will come out of the potatoes. Keep washing them until the water runs clean.
Swirl the potatoes in the colander to prevent dirty water and sediment from getting trapped underneath
Step 3. Soak the potatoes for 10 minutes
Fill a large bowl with warm water and dip the potato slices into it after washing them. Leave them to soak for 8 or 10 minutes, in this way you will wash them even more thoroughly, softening them also in view of cooking.
- Leaving the potato slices to soak removes the starch, so that at the end of cooking they are light and crunchy.
- A higher water content will also decrease the risk of them burning during cooking.
Step 4. Dry the potatoes using kitchen paper
Press the potato slices firmly between several layers of napkins to remove excess water. No visible traces of water should remain on the outer surface. Once dry, lay them side by side in a row on the kitchen paper.
- Try not to break the slices as you press them to dry them.
- Don't let them dry out too much, or they'll be unpredictable when cooking. Just dab and squeeze them.
Part 2 of 3: Season the Potatoes
Step 1. Brush oil on each slice
Pour about 60ml of cooking oil into a small bowl. The choice of oil depends on your tastes: you can use that of sunflower seeds, canola, peanut or olive. Dip the tip of a kitchen brush in the oil and apply a small amount to the surface of each slice until it is shiny.
- The oil makes the potatoes crisp and golden, offering a result very similar to that of frying.
- Use an oil with a high smoke point. The heat from the microwave is intense and direct, so oils with a low smoke point can burn easily.
Step 2. Season with a pinch of salt and other spices
Sprinkle a generous pinch of kosher salt evenly over the surface of the potatoes. You can add as many spices and seasonings as you like, such as ground black pepper, flavored salt, garlic salt, or onion powder.
- Season as you wish, dosing the quantities to your liking.
- Experiment with various combinations of toppings to create a custom recipe.
Step 3. Place the potato slices in a bowl
Use a large one. Gently mix them several times in a circular motion to coat them evenly with the oil and seasonings.
- You can mix them with the oil and seasonings using a large airtight bag as well.
- Before cooking them, remove excess oil to avoid saturating them.
Step 4. Spread the potatoes into a microwave-safe dish
You need to cook a small amount at a time, making several batches. Line a baking dish with paper towels and lay the potato slices on them in a single layer. Make sure the slices are flat and there is some space between them.
- Separating the slices ensures proper heat distribution.
- Use a bacon pan to remove excess oil and reduce calories.
Part 3 of 3: Microwave French Fries
Step 1. Let them cook for about 3 minutes
Place the first group of potatoes in the oven and cook them at maximum power for between 2 and 4 minutes. Keep an eye on them to make sure they don't cook too quickly. When they begin to take on a crunchy texture, they should brown slightly on the edges.
- After the first 3 minutes, you may not notice any particular differences, but remember that cooking isn't over yet.
- Each microwave works differently. Depending on the strength, the fries may be ready before 3 minutes pass or take a little longer. Keep an eye on them while cooking and use common sense to know when they are cooked.
Step 2. Flip the potato slices and return them to the microwave
Remove the pan and flip carefully one at a time. Put them back in the microwave for another 2 to 4 minutes, this time halving the cooking power. Once they have begun to brown in the center, they will acquire a pleasant crunchy texture.
- Continue to microwave them at 3 minute intervals at 50% power until cooked through.
- Observe them: they should have browned evenly. Remove them from the oven before they burn or turn black.
- When cooked using a convection heat source, the potatoes must brown for a crunchy texture. Do not be discouraged if they are a little darker than expected when you take them out of the oven, as this will not affect the flavor.
Step 3. Let the potatoes cool
They will be hot when you come out of the microwave. Before serving, let them cool for a few minutes. Once they have reached a temperature that allows you to eat them, put them in a large bowl and share them.
You can adjust them again with salt as they cool
Step 4. Store them in an airtight container
Eat them while they are warm or once they have reached room temperature. If any leftovers remain (which is difficult, as they are irresistible!), Put them in a large plastic container with a lid or in a 4L freezer bag (after extracting the air). They will keep crunchy for 2 or 3 days.
To make them more appetizing, serve them with onion sauce or spicy cheese sauce
Step 5. Enjoy your meal
Advice
- An adjustable mandolin or vegetable slicer allows you to exert more control over the exact width of each slice, thus helping to achieve similarly sized chips.
- To try something new, season your fries with a ready-to-use spice blend or seasonings in sachets.
- If you have potatoes that are going bad, avoid throwing them out and take the opportunity to try this recipe.
- Microwaved French fries are a great snack that's easy to whip up when you're idle.
- Prepare them when your kids invite friends over to a movie or sleepover.
- You can also try making them with sweet potatoes, taro, and other root vegetables using the same method.
Warnings
- Whenever you cook using the microwave it is possible for the food to burn. Microwave fried potatoes contain raw vegetables and oil - if you're not careful, they can overcook very quickly.
- Given the high content of fats and starchy carbohydrates, fried potatoes are not the most suitable snack for those who follow a strict diet or keep weight under control.
