BAKED DUCK FAT FRIES

Last Updated: April 2015

 

These fries are delicious, easy-to-make, and healthier than their fried cousins!  If you don’t have duck fat, you can substitute olive oil.

60 min prep (mostly for the fries to soak)

45 min cooking

 

Ingredients:

  • Russet potatoes (1 good-sized potato feeds 2 people)
  • 1 tbsp liquefied duck fat per potato (can substitute olive oil)
    • I especially like using my “dirtier fat” (i.e., fat leftover from cooking ducks vs. rendered fat from cleaning the bird) for fries
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Prep:

  • Wash/scrub potato(es) and leave skin on for all those nutrients
  • Fill a mixing bowl with some water
  • Cut into fry-like shapes; do your best to keep the width sizes as similar as possible to help all fries cook evenly.  Smaller fries will cook quicker and be crispier.  Bigger fries will take longer and be softer.  You may have to experiment to find what you like.recipe_duckfatfries_prepping potatoes2recipe_duckfatfries_frie size
  • Drop the fries into the water as you finish cutting them. This will start drawing out the starch and help them cook better later.recipe_duckfatfries_fries soaking
  • Add more water if necessary to cover the fries.  Let them sit for 45-60 minutes.  I’ve done as short as 30.

 

Cooking:

  • Pre-heat your oven on bake to 425-degrees F
  • Drain the fries and dry them with paper towels recipe_duckfatfries_fries drying
  • Dry the mixing bowl and add the dried fries
  • Coat with duck fat (or other oil) and season with salt and pepper. Stir to ensure even coating.recipe_duckfatfries_coating fries2recipe_duckfatfries_coated fries2
  • Add to baking sheets (~1 potato per sheet) and spread out so they are as evenly spaced as possible, which helps them bake (= crispy) instead of steam (= soft)recipe_duckfatfries_partially baked
  • Once oven has reached 425, cook for 15 minutes.
  • Prepare dipping sauces if desired (see below).
  • Rotate the pan in the oven and cook for another 10-15 min.
  • Remove from the oven and use a spatula to flip fries to the other side (as best as you can). They should slide off easily now and be starting to firm up.  If not, cook for some more time.
  • Return to the oven and cook for another 10-15 min depending on how crispy you like them.recipe_duckfatfries_fully baked2
  • Turn off the oven and remove. Add to serving dish.  Salt as needed.

Dipping Sauces:

While any ketchup will taste great, try mixing it up.  I like the following:

  • Ketchup w/ a kick (mixed with a hot sauce, like Frank’s or Sriracha)
  • Sweet and sour sauce
  • Your favorite BBQ sauce (I like chipotle with more of a vinegary tang)