What Are Potato Sticks? All You Should Know
Many people like to eat potato sticks but don't really understand them. Today, let's explore what potato sticks are!
What Are Potato Sticks?
Simply put, potato sticks are a delicious food made by cutting fresh potatoes into strips. There are various cooking methods, such as frying, baking, or air-drying. The texture of potato sticks can be crispy or soft and they are very popular.
The most classic one among them is French fries. There are long, thin and crispy French fry sticks, and even puffed potato sticks in the form of snacks.
Several common forms of potato sticks:
French fries: The most classic potato sticks. After cutting into strips, they are fried until golden, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. They are most common in fast food restaurants.
Crispy fries: Thinner and crispier than French fries, usually served as a snack or an ingredient in salad.
Baked potato sticks: A low-oil version, suitable for those who want to eat French fries but also want to be a little healthier.
Flavored potato sticks: Sprinkled with seasonings such as black pepper, chili powder, and cheese powder to make the taste more diverse.
Air-dried or puffed potato sticks: Similar to potato chips as snacks, but in the shape of strips, with a light and crispy texture.
Are Potato Sticks the Same as Potato Chips?
Both fries and potato chips are made from potatoes, but they have significant differences in shape and texture:
Difference 1:
Fries are made by peeling potatoes and cutting them into strips, then frying. They are golden and crispy on the outside, soft, sweet, elastic, and chewy on the inside.
Potato chips are made by cutting potatoes into thin slices, then frying or baking until crispy and adding seasonings. They are very thin and crispy in texture.
Difference 2:
Relatively speaking, fries are more nutritious than potato chips. Potatoes contain B-group vitamins such as vitamin B1, B2, B6, and pantothenic acid, as well as a large amount of high-quality dietary fiber. They also contain trace elements, amino acids, protein, fat, and high-quality starch and other nutrients.
During the frying process of fries, some vitamins are lost, but most of the nutrients are still retained. During the slicing and high-temperature processing of potato chips, more vitamins and other nutrients are damaged.
Difference 3:
Fries have a strong potato aroma and can be paired with various sauces, such as ketchup, mustard sauce, and salad dressing. Potato chips, on the other hand, have added artificial seasonings to enhance the flavor, such as chicken essence, monosodium glutamate, and flavors, which cover up the original aroma of potatoes.
What Can You Use Potato Sticks For?
There are many ways to cook potato sticks. First of all, the most common one is to fry potato sticks! Cut potatoes into uniform strips and fry them in hot oil until golden and crispy. The outer layer is crispy, and the inside is soft. Sprinkle a little salt or pair it with ketchup. It's super classic and delicious. Whether it's adults or children, they all love it.
If you want to eat healthier, baked potato sticks are a good choice. Brush the potato sticks with olive oil, sprinkle with rosemary, black pepper, or your favorite spices, and bake them in the oven until the surface is slightly charred. The texture is soft and fragrant, and the calories are lower.
In addition, potato sticks can also be cooked by boiling. Cut the potatoes into small strips, boil them until soft, and pair them with yogurt sauce, ketchup, or make them into mashed potatoes. The texture is delicate and rich in nutrition, especially suitable for children and the elderly.
Moreover, potato sticks can also be used to make salads. Mix the cooked potato sticks with ingredients such as lettuce, corn kernels, ham cubes, and cucumbers, and drizzle with salad dressing or olive oil and vinegar dressing. It's fresh and refreshing, and it's a delicious dish that you can eat with confidence during the weight loss period.
Potato sticks can also be used to make pizza. Spread the potato sticks on the pizza base, sprinkle with cheese, ham, green peppers and other ingredients, and bake until the cheese melts and the potato sticks are soft. Every bite is full of happiness.
Are Potato Sticks the Same as Hickory Sticks?
Potato sticks and pecan bars are two completely different foods. The main differences are as follows:
Different raw materials
Potato sticks: The main raw material is potatoes. The potatoes are cut into strips and can be fried, baked, stir-fried, or stewed.
Pecan bars: They are bar-shaped foods made from pecans, usually sugared or baked nut snacks.
Different textures
Potato sticks: Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside (fried), soft (stewed), slightly crispy (stir-fried), and can be used as a staple food or a side dish.
Pecan bars: The texture is crispy or hard-crispy, with a strong nut aroma. They can be used as snacks or ingredients.
Different uses
Potato sticks: They can be made into French fries, stir-fried potatoes, baked fries, or ingredients for stewed dishes, and are suitable for being paired with staple foods.
Pecan bars: They are often used as snacks, ingredients for desserts (such as sprinkled on cakes or ice cream), or in mixed nut snacks.
Different flavored pairings
Potato sticks: They can be dipped in ketchup, mayonnaise, hot sauce, cheese sauce, etc., or stir-fried with seasonings added.
Pecan bars: They come in caramel, honey, salted, smoked, or creamy flavors, mostly sweet or savory flavors.
Recipes With Potato Sticks
Ingredients
2 potatoes (Yellow-centered potatoes are recommended as they are more powdery and waxy in texture)
1 - 2 tablespoons of olive oil (vegetable oil can also be used)
Appropriate amount of salt
Appropriate amount of black pepper (optional)
Appropriate amount of garlic powder/chili powder (optional, to enhance flavor)
Steps
1.Cutting into strips & Soaking in water
Peel the potatoes and cut them into long strips (try to make them as uniform in thickness as possible so that they are evenly heated).
Soak in cold water for 15 - 20 minutes to remove starch, which will make them crispier when fried!
After soaking, dry the moisture to prevent them from becoming soft when heated in the air fryer.
2.Mixing with oil & Seasoning
Pour in olive oil and mix well so that each potato stick is coated with a thin layer of oil.
Sprinkle with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, or chili powder and stir evenly.
3.Preheating & Frying
Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F) for 5 minutes to make the potato sticks heat more evenly.
Put in the potato sticks and spread them out as much as possible. Don't stack them (you can fry them in batches).
Air-fry at 200°C for 15 - 18 minutes and turn them over 1 - 2 times in the middle to ensure even heating.
Tips:
Want them to be crispier? Turn it up to 220°C for the last 3 minutes to make the surface more crispy!
Think it's not fragrant enough? Sprinkle a little Parmesan cheese powder or cumin powder after taking them out of the oven, and instantly turn them into delicious French fries!
Shelf Life and Storage
The shelf life of potato sticks is 2 - 3 days. If you fry all the potato sticks until crispy, they can be stored for 2 days under sealed conditions. Otherwise, it's best to eat them within 2 - 3 hours.
However, you can peel, cut the potatoes into pieces, and soak them in water in the refrigerator overnight, and then fry them the next day. Another way is to soak the cut potatoes in water for up to 1 hour, then take them out of the water, dry them with a tea towel, and then freeze them. These frozen potato sticks can stay fresh for the next 3 months.
