Fried Potatoes Recipe

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This easy fried potatoes recipe takes traditional ones up just a notch by adding a Southern spin a.k.a a light crunchy cornmeal coating.

Fried potatoes in basket.

This Southern fried potatoes recipe (also known around these parts as whistle-stop potatoes) is one of those simple ones that taste oh-so-good. To get that addictive crunchiness only takes one extra step but the difference in the end product seems like it was a lot more trouble than that. What is the extra step, I hear you ask? It’s just one extra ingredient: cornmeal mix.

Coating the potatoes in the cornmeal and seasoned salt and then deep-frying them in a skillet of hot oil results in pan-fried potatoes that are out of this world. They’re melt-in-your-mouth tender on the inside but coated in a light, crispy, and crunchy cornmeal coating. Trust me, this side dish will be gone in a flash! They’re sure to become a family favorite for those times when folks gather around the table.

Recipe Ingredients

  • Potatoes
  • Cornmeal mix
  • Vegetable oil
  • Seasoned salt

How to Make The Best Pan-Fried Potatoes

Instructions to make fried potatoes.

First, peel and cube your potatoes. Place them in a mixing bowl and sprinkle cornmeal over them.

I’m using about 1/2 cup of cornmeal here but you just use as much as you need based on how many potatoes you have.

I also use a tablespoon of seasoned salt. Stir this up to coat the raw potatoes.

Fry potatoes in oil in skillet.

Fill a deep cast-iron skillet (or any large skillet) with cooking oil (I’m using vegetable oil) to a depth of about 1/2 an inch. Let this heat up over medium-high heat until the oil is hot enough to fry in.

How to test when the oil is hot enough: sprinkle a wee bit of cornmeal over the oil and if it bubbles then I know the oil is hot enough.

Before adding the potatoes, reduce stovetop to medium heat. Then fry potatoes in the hot oil and cook, stirring often, until the potatoes are golden brown and tender.

fried potatoes recipe

Once they have reached the desired level of browning that you want, remove the skillet-fried potatoes to a paper towel-lined plate or bowl (we usually use a bowl) to serve.

These deliciously crispy potatoes are good with any meal you can come up with!

Storage

You can store cooked potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. But you’ll want to reheat them on the stovetop or in the air fryer to make them lovely and crispy again.

Recipe Notes

  • Here are some serving suggestions for your Southern fried potatoes:
  • The best potatoes to use for fried potatoes are Yukon gold potatoes, red potatoes, and russet potatoes (also known as Idaho potatoes).
  • You can use any oil, but some of the best oils for frying include peanut oil and canola oil.
  • If you like your crispy potatoes with a little spice, add a dash (or 1/2 teaspoon) of chili powder.
  • If you don’t have seasoned salt available, you can make your own using a combination of salt, pepper, sugar, and spices like paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder.

You may also enjoy these scrumptious potato recipes:

Potato Corn Chowder

Cheesy Garlic Mashed Potato With Mozzarella

Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe (Freezer Friendly)

Greek Potatoes With A Twist: Meet Big Fat Greek Taters

Crock Pot Chicken and Potatoes (Rotisserie-Style)

Mashed Sweet Potato Recipe

Fried Potatoes

This easy fried potatoes recipe takes traditional ones up just a notch by adding a Southern spin a.k.a a light crunchy cornmeal coating.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: potatoes
Servings: 4
Calories: 265.8kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Fill a deep skillet with 1/2 an inch of vegetable oil. Place over medium to medium-high heat while you prepare the potatoes.
    vegetable oil
  • Peel and dice the potatoes. Place in a bowl and add cornmeal mix and seasoned salt. Stir to coat.
    5-6 medium russet potatoes, 1/2 cup Martha White Hot Rize Cornmeal Mix*, 1 tablespoon seasoned salt
  • Test oil for readiness by sprinkling in a little bit of cornmeal. If the cornmeal sizzles, the oil is hot enough. Carefully add the potatoes.
  • Cook, stirring often, until potatoes are golden brown and tender (about 10-15 minutes). Remove to a paper towel-lined bowl. Enjoy warm.

Notes

*Other cornbread mix will work just fine if you can't find this one. 

Nutrition

Calories: 265.8kcal
Tried this recipe?Mention @southernplate or tag #southernplate!

 

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90 Comments

  1. Just received an air fryer and are hesitant about using and experimenting but these sound good. Any suggestions, hints, clues?

  2. Christy,
    After reading through the comments, were you ever able to make it to a Charlie Daniels concert before he passed? And, thanks for this potato recipe, it’ll be a help to use up some potatoes that are almost “passed their prime”. Have a great weekend! 🙂

  3. Dear Christy, I just want to thank you for your wonderful site. Every recipe I have tried and also from your cook books have been delicious. It is so nice to have recipes that have normal old fashioned ingredients that don’t break the bank to buy.
    Also, thank you for making your recipes so EASY to Print out! Every recipe I print out only takes one page and is so perfect. Thank you for your kindness and all the delicious recipes, Dana Callahan

  4. We always called these fish fries because mama would only make them if we were having a fish fry! She’d cut the potatoes in french fry size and fry them. Love all the Martha White products. I have one of their cookbooks too and I treasure it.

  5. I bet this could be done in an air fryer. I’m going to give it a try. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
    Everything to win!

  6. My 90 year old mother makes these on New Year’s Day. That’s it, the only time we have them! lol No one knows why because we all love them and they are super easy to make but that is the only time. They go great with pork roast, black eyed peas, corn bread and greens!

  7. Next time I make these I’m gonna use the House of Autry hushpuppie mix that you/we use on those great pork chops.

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