Objective: Make french fried potatoes.

Which of the following solutions is more sound in terms of naive physics reasoning?

OPTIONS:
(a). Cut potatoes into sticks with a knife, then put the cut potatoes into hot cooking oil for a few minutes until the potatoes are golden brown, then remove from the oil and sprinkle with salt.
(b). Cut potatoes into discs with a knife, then put the cut potatoes into hot water for a few minutes until the potatoes are golden brown, then remove from the water and sprinkle with oil.
(a).