Crispy Crunchy Shoestring Potatoes - Simply Sated (2024)

Crispy Crunchy Shoestring Potatoes.

Some of my favorite childhood foods still make me “Go Cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs®.” I’m not talking about homemade foods like my mom’s Spaghetti & Meatballs, dad’s beef stew and Aunt Mary Lou’s Fresh Strawberry Pie (although they do). No! I’m talking about the prepackaged types like suzyQ’s, Marshmallow Cream and Shoestring Potatoes.

I suppose nostalgia is the reason I decided to recreate the shoestring potatoes of my youth. As a young pup, it was fun popping open the round, cardboard can of matchstick spuds and hearing the pressurized air release. It was even more fun grabbing as many potato sticks, as I could, and stuffing them into my mouth.

Some childhood foods cannot be replicated, but homemade Crispy Crunchy Shoestring Potatoes are even better than the original. They are also simple to make if…you have a Mandoline slicer. No problem if you don’t have one, but allow a few more minutes for cutting the potatoes into julienne strips. For more information and advice about Mandoline slicers, HERE is a terrific article. One can be purchased very inexpensively, and it is a great tool to have in the kitchen.

Basic steps for making Crispy Crunchy Shoestring Potatoes are few, but it’s important to follow the instructions closely.

Wash and peel the potatoes. Slice the potatoes with a Mandoline slicer fitted with the julienne blade.

Place potato sticks in a large bowl of ice water to remove excess starches. Heat oil in a large, deep pot to 350F. Dry potatoes and deep-fry them (one cup at-a-time) in stages until they turn golden brown. Transfer potatoes to a paper towel-lined plate and season to your heart’s content.

Crispy Crunchy Shoestring Potatoes are true to their name – they are crispy & crunchy and stay perfectly fresh for days. Well, at I can attest to three days – that is the longest time they have lasted in a home occupied by my husband, the salty chips-monster.

…just look at this gorgeousness.

If you like spicing things up, here are a few ideas that would work well: garlic salt, chili powder, cumin, crushed dried rosemary, grated Parmesan, BBQ spices, seasoning salt, Cajun spices and smoky paprika. If you want to go extreme, make loaded shoestring potatoes by layering them with melted cheese, jalapenos, ground beef, onions – go crazy!

Crispy Crunchy Shoestring Potatoes turned out so well, I’ve decided my next childhood recreation might be suzyQ’s. Although, the spelling is different, we do share the same name, so how can I not?

These potatoes are the perfect companion for so many entrees and sandwiches. Try them with Coffee-Crusted Steak, Perfect Skinless Boneless Chicken Breasts, Turkey Parmesan Sliders or Easy French Dip Sandwiches.

Enjoy!