How to Color French Fries

Fries are a favorite snack for many people but they usually only come in one color. With just a little extra effort, you can create fries in all the colors of the rainbow and surprise your family and friends. The fries still taste the same as normal fries, they just look different! Fun to make and share around, here's how to make colored French (shoestring) fries.

Ingredients

6 large potatoes suitable for baking
1/2 cup (175ml) fresh lemon juice (other citrus juice will also work)
2 tablespoons food coloring, any color
Salt/pepper/other condiments, to taste

Steps

1
Peel the potatoes. If needed, wash and pat dry.
2
Cut the potatoes into sticks. Cut the sticks approximately 1/2 inch/1 cm thick. This thickness helps the color to distribute well and will also speed up the cooking time.
3
Pour the lemon juice into a suitable large container (such as a large bowl). Add the food coloring and mix to combine thoroughly.
- If you're doing more than one color, simply divide the juice by the amount of colors you're making and add only a few drops of coloring each time until you're happy with the resulting color.
4
Put the potato sticks into the lemon juice and coloring mixture. Do not overlap any of the sticks or the overlapping parts won't change color––keep it all one layer. Check that all the potato sticks are completely covered by the lemon juice.
- Again, if you're making different colors, divide the potato sticks evenly across each color being used.
5
Let soak for 3 hours.
6
Remove the potato sticks from the coloring mixture. Use a slotted spoon or similar to lift out the sticks. Lay them out on kitchen towel to drain and dry.
7
Preheat the oven to 450ºF/230ºC. When the sticks are dry and the oven is ready, spray or brush them with olive oil. Arrange the oil-coated sticks in a single layer across the baking sheet. Again, don't overlap or they won't bake evenly.
- Cover the baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure that it's non-stick.
8
Bake the potato sticks in the oven for 20 to 30 minutes. Check regularly to ensure they're not over-cooking. About halfway during cooking, turn the fries using tongs over to cook evenly both sides. Be sure to wear an oven mitt while handling the hot baking sheet.
9
Remove from the oven. Allow for a brief cooling before serving. Sprinkle with salt and any other condiments, to taste. Watch the surprise on everyone's face when they're informed that these are actually French fries!
10
Finished.

Community Q&A

Question

Can I fry the french fries instead of baking them?

Community Answer

You can fry the pre-made french fries as long as you don't keep them in the oil for too long since they are already partially cooked and coated in oil.
Question

How can I color potato chips?

Community Answer

Try food coloring spray.
Question

Can I use water instead of lemon juice?

Community Answer

No, as it has to be yellow.
Question

Do I have to use lemon juice?

Qamar

Top Answerer

Yes. When coloring the fries, the lemon juice helps keep the color vibrant and bright.
Question

Does the lemon taste linger on the fries?

Community Answer

Yes. You may balance it by adding a bit of salt or chili powder.

Warnings

If you're concerned about staining your hands with the food coloring, wear disposable gloves when handling the fries at the wet stages. It's also a good idea to wear an apron to protect your clothing from the coloring, should an accident happen.

Thanks!
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