Use of microwave frying for food products may be considered as a new way of improving the quality of the fried foods. In this study, the effects of microwaves on quality of fried potatoes (moisture content, oil absorption, color and hardness) were studied and the process was optimized by using Taguchi Technique. Microwave power level (400 W, 550 W and 700 W), frying time (2.0, 2.5, 3.0 min) and oil type (sunflower, corn and hazelnut oil) were the parameters used in the study. Moisture content decreased whereas oil content, hardness and color of potatoes increased with increasing frying time and microwave power level. The potatoes with the highest oil content were found to be the ones that were fried in the hazelnut oil. The optimum condition was found as frying at 550 W microwave power level, for 2.5 min in sunflower oil. At this condition, the oil content of fried potatoes was lower than that of conventionally fried ones. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.