Home fries

For the film, see Home Fries (film).

A plate of home fried potatoes

Home fries, house fries, or cottage fries are a type of basic potato dish made by pan or skillet frying diced, chunked, wedged or sliced potatoes (sometimes unpeeled) that have been par-cooked by boiling, baking, steaming, or microwaving.

While it is possible to make "home fries" without par-cooking the potatoes, these are technically raw fries. The texture will be more chewy, and the longer cooking time increases the likelihood of burning the potato pieces. Home fries are also made, as the name suggests, as a simple homemade potato dish and can be prepared even by people with modest cooking skills as a meal or a snack.

The frying is typically done in vegetable oil or butter. Other ingredients may be added. If chopped onions and bell peppers are added to diced potatoes it creates a dish referred to as Potatoes O'Brien. If sliced potatoes and sliced onions are sautéed together with seasonings it can create a dish referred to as Lyonnaise potatoes.

The consistency depends on the type of potato used. Although various types of white potatoes are the most popular base, sometimes waxy (usually red-skinned) or sweet potatoes are used.

In the United States, home fries are popular as a breakfast dish  and are sometimes served in place of hash browns. Home fries may be served with a condiment such as ketchup, salt or maple syrup, or as a side dish to ham and eggs. In some locations, home fries are even used as a pizza topping.

See also

• Potatoes O'Brien a dish of potatoes with bell peppers
• French fries the deep fried potatoes in stick or slab form
• Hash browns the shredded potato dish