5 Best Pans for Frying Potatoes [2024]
One of the simplest and most delicious snacks you can make are fried potatoes. Crispy, salty, and satisfying, each bite is a flavor explosion that’s hard to resist.
But did you know that choosing the right frying pan for your potatoes is crucial to getting that perfect, crispy outcome?
What pans are best for frying potatoes? Cast iron pans, stainless steel pans, nonstick pans, carbon steel pans, and copper pans all have unique features that make them suitable for frying potatoes.
In this blog post, we’ll go through the different types of pans that work best for frying potatoes and why. Plus, we will give you some tips and tricks to fry potatoes like a pro. Let’s get started.
What Types of Pans are Best for Frying Potatoes?
1. Cast Iron Pans:
Cast iron pans are a traditional favorite among chefs to fry potatoes in. They evenly distribute heat and can hold high temperatures that are required to achieve a crispy texture.
Additionally, they are easy to clean and last a lifetime if properly taken care of.
The downside?
Cast iron pans can be quite heavy, so you will need to put some muscle into lifting them.
2. Stainless Steel Pans:
Stainless steel pans are a popular choice because they are lightweight, durable, and conduct heat quickly.
The key to using a stainless steel pan for frying potatoes is to heat the oil up slowly and be patient.
Once the pan is hot enough, you can drop the potato slices into the oil. These pans are also much easier to clean than cast iron pans.
3. Nonstick Pans:
Nonstick pans are the go-to choice for people who are trying to avoid extra oil and for healthy frying methods. They make frying easy because the slices slide off with no fuss.
However, these pans should never be heated to very high temperatures, or else the Teflon coating can release dangerous fumes that are harmful to health.
4. Carbon Steel Pans:
Carbon steel pans are ideal for deep frying potatoes. They heat up quickly and evenly, which allows the potatoes to cook in an even layer without sticking.
These pans are exceptionally lightweight, making them comfortable to use for frying up large quantities.
They also develop a pleasing patina over time that helps to keep the nonstick surface durable and long-lasting.
5. Copper Pans:
Copper is one of the best heat-conducting materials, which makes it an excellent material for frying pans.
Copper pans heat up quickly, so they can cut down your frying time significantly, which gives you perfectly crispy potatoes in no time.
They are more expensive than other frying pans and require more maintenance to keep the copper from tarnishing.
5 Best Pans for Frying Potatoes
1. Lodge Pre-Seasoned Skillet
The Lodge Pre-Seasoned Skillet offers a premium cooking experience.
This cast iron skillet is pre-seasoned with 100% natural vegetable oil, ensuring it will make incredibly delicious meals right out of the box.
Enjoy unparalleled heat retention and even heating no matter how you use it – in the oven, on the grill, stove or over a campfire. Plus, it’s great for induction cooktops!
Not only is this skillet perfect for frying potatoes, but it can also help you create succulent roasts and braises; family-sized recipes; stir-fries; freshly baked bread, and cornbreads…the possibilities are almost endless.
Durable and built to last, Lodge Pre-Seasoned Skillet will be your kitchen’s trusty companion that gives you delicious and crispy potatoes every time!
2. CAROTE Nonstick Frying Pan
The CAROTE Nonstick Frying Pan is a kitchen essential that will make cooking and frying your favorite meals easier.
This eco-friendly classic granite pan is perfect for those looking to create delicious, healthy dishes.
The nonstick coating ensures that nothing gets burned or stuck on, and it makes cleaning up a breeze, while the extended bottom design provides quick and even heating so that everything cooks evenly.
Plus, with an impressive high magnetic conductive stainless steel base, this pan can be used on any cooktop, including induction.
Since this is a nonstick pan, it makes it super easy to achieve crispy, delicious potatoes without sticking to the pan or becoming mushy!
3. DELARLO Whole body Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Frying Pan
The DELARLO Whole body Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Frying Pan makes cooking effortless with the highest possible quality and minimal energy required.
It heats quickly and distributes heat evenly due to the Materials used for High-Control level cooking, which uses 20% less gas or electricity than traditional cookware.
Its Good Grips Handle gives a secure hold, staying cool against your hand at all times when using induction, ceramic, electric, or gas cooktops.
Additionally, it has a rim that’s rounded and encapsulated for drip-free pouring and easy food transfers.
Stainless steel is known to be durable, so you can rest assured that this frying pan will become a favorite in your kitchen for years to come!
4. Lodge CRS12 Carbon Steel Skillet, Pre-Seasoned
The Lodge Carbon Steel Skillet is a 14 gauge carbon steel skillet that quickly and evenly distributes heat for perfect searing and browning of all of your favorite dishes.
Easily compatible with gas, electric, induction stovetops, outdoor grills, or open fire, to name a few!
This skillet is also made with non-toxic materials and is PFOA & PTFE free.
To ensure perfection in each use, this skillet is pre-seasoned with oil to give it an easy-release finish that only gets better with continued use.
Easy care instructions are quick and simple – just hand wash and dry it immediately before rubbing it on cooking oil. This will keep the skillet clean and ready for the next use.
Use it to fry perfectly crispy potatoes in no time at all – the lightweight design, along with a long handle, allows for effortless maneuvering from the stovetop to the dinner table.
It will definitely turn any simple meal into a gourmet experience.
5. All-in-One Pan Copper Fry Pan
The All-in-One Pan Copper Fry Pan is the perfect combination of high-quality materials and craftsmanship for you to prepare meals like a pro!
This multi-layer pan is crafted with premium stainless steel, tempered glass, aluminum core & double copper coating that offers complete and even heat distribution.
Plus, its anti-warping and wear-resistant features make it an ideal pick for everyday cooking.
The Stainless Steel Frying Basket is the perfect addition to deep fry potatoes like a boss. This added gadget is also dishwasher safe, making cleaning up super easy.
If you are looking for a deep-frying pan, this is definitely the perfect option for you!
Tips for Frying Potatoes
Frying potatoes create a crispy texture and a mouthwatering flavor that is irresistible. However, it’s not always easy to achieve the perfect fry, especially if you’re new to cooking.
Fear not; we’ve compiled some tips and tricks to help you fry potatoes like a pro.
1. Choose the Right Type of Potatoes
The type of potatoes you use matters when it comes to frying.
If you want crispy fries, choose high-starch potatoes like Russet potatoes.
They have less moisture content, ensuring that they crisp up well during frying.
On the other hand, if you prefer a creamier texture, go for low-starch potatoes like Yukon gold.
2. Cut Your Potatoes into Uniform Sizes
Uniform potato cuts help ensure that your fries cook evenly. If some pieces are bigger than others, they won’t cook at the same rate, resulting in some being overcooked and some being undercooked.
So, make sure to cut your potatoes into uniform sizes, about half an inch to an inch thick.
3. Use the Right Oil at the Right Temperature
The oil you use for frying also matters. You want to use an oil that can handle high heat, like peanut oil or vegetable oil. The temperature of your oil is essential too.
A temperature of about 350°F is ideal for frying potatoes.
Anything less than that, and your fries will be greasy, and anything more, and they’ll burn before cooking properly.
4. Double Fry Your Potatoes
One of the secrets to achieving crispy and addictive fries is double-frying them. Fry your potatoes for about 4-5 minutes, remove them from the oil, and let them rest for a few minutes.
Then, fry them again for another 4-5 minutes until they are crispy and golden brown. This technique ensures that your fries are well-cooked on the inside but still crispy on the outside.
5. Drain Your Fries Properly
Once your fries are well-cooked, you need to drain them properly to avoid sogginess. Use a slotted spoon or a mesh skimmer to remove them from the oil, allowing them to drain excess oil.
After that, transfer them to a paper towel to remove even more oil. Shake the fries well to ensure they are well-drained and crispy before serving.
