Crispy Baked French Fries (Oven Fries) Recipe You’ll Love

Golden, crispy baked french fries promise a healthier twist on a classic comfort food that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Potato lovers understand the magic of achieving that perfect crunch without drowning ingredients in excessive oil.

Home kitchens can reimagine simple spuds into a delectable side dish that rivals any restaurant offering.

Texture matters most when crafting these irresistible oven-baked delights, where technique trumps traditional deep-frying methods.

Seasoning plays a crucial role in elevating these humble potato slices from ordinary to extraordinary.

Crisp edges, fluffy interiors, and a delightful blend of herbs and spices create a crowd-pleasing accompaniment that feels both indulgent and wholesome.

Strategic preparation techniques ensure you’ll nail that restaurant-quality crispness right from your own oven.

Reasons to Try Baked French Fries (Oven Fries) at Home

• Create Crispy Perfection: These oven fries deliver restaurant-style crispiness without deep-frying, giving you a healthier alternative that doesn't sacrifice taste or texture.
• Customize Your Flavor Adventure: The seasoning flexibility allows you to experiment with different spices like garlic powder, paprika, or herbs, making each batch unique and exciting.
• Minimal Effort, Maximum Deliciousness: With simple preparation steps and basic ingredients, anyone can master these fries, creating a foolproof side dish that looks and tastes professionally made.
• Nutrient-Packed Comfort Food: Keeping potato skins on preserves essential nutrients while providing a rustic, satisfying eating experience that feels indulgent yet wholesome.

What You’ll Need for Crispy Baked French Fries

• Baking Potatoes: Starchy potatoes perfect for crispy exterior and fluffy interior, russet varieties work best for even baking and golden color.

• Olive Oil, Seasoned Salt, Lemon Pepper: Olive oil helps create crispy texture and golden brown surface, while seasonings add robust flavor and enhance overall taste profile.

How to Cook Baked French Fries in the Oven

Step 1: Prepare Potato Masterpiece

Grab fresh russet potatoes and give them a gentle wash. Leave the skin on for extra nutrition and rustic charm. Slice potatoes into uniform strips about 1/4 inch thick, ensuring each fry looks like a crispy golden dream.

Step 2: Purge Potato Starch

Submerge potato strips in ice-cold water for 30-45 minutes. This magical bath helps remove excess starch, guaranteeing killer crispiness. After soaking, thoroughly pat potatoes dry using clean kitchen towels.

Step 3: Flavor Explosion

• Extra virgin olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Paprika

Ensure every potato strip gets a delicious coating of seasoning.

Step 4: Preheat Crispy Station

Fire up your oven to 425°F (218°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat for easy cleanup.

Step 5: Arrange and Bake

Spread potato strips in a single layer without overcrowding. Ensure space between each fry for maximum crispiness. Slide baking sheet into preheated oven.

Step 6: Transform Into Golden Perfection

Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping fries halfway through cooking. Watch for gorgeous golden edges and irresistible crunch. Remove when edges are deep golden brown and texture looks supremely crispy.

Step 7: Final Touch

Sprinkle with extra salt immediately after removing from oven. Serve hot and enjoy your homemade potato magic!

Smart Tips for Better Homemade Baked Fries

• Moisture Matters: Pat potatoes completely dry after soaking to guarantee maximum crispiness and prevent soggy results.
• Spacing Strategy: Spread fries in a single layer without overcrowding to ensure even browning and crisp edges on all sides.
• Oil Optimization: Use just enough olive oil to lightly coat potatoes, preventing greasy texture while promoting golden, crunchy exteriors.
• Seasoning Secrets: Sprinkle salt immediately after removing from oven so seasonings stick better and enhance overall flavor profile.
• Cutting Consistency: Aim for uniform potato strip sizes to guarantee even cooking and prevent some pieces from burning while others remain undercooked.

How to Store and Reheat Baked French Fries Like a Pro

• Refrigeration: Store leftover fries in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Cooling: Let fries cool completely to room temperature before sealing to avoid condensation that can make them soggy.
• Reheating: Revive crispy texture by baking fries in a preheated 425°F oven for 5-10 minutes, placing them on a wire rack or parchment-lined baking sheet to help restore their crunch. Avoid microwaving, which makes fries soft and limp.

What Tastes Great with Baked French Fries

• Pair with Protein Partners: Serve these crispy baked fries alongside juicy grilled chicken, a classic burger, or a tender steak to create a satisfying and balanced meal that hits all the right flavor notes.
• Dip and Delight: Elevate the fries with a range of dipping sauces like tangy garlic aioli, spicy sriracha mayo, classic ketchup, or zesty ranch to add extra excitement and flavor complexity.
• Wine and Beverage Companions: Match these fries with a crisp lager, hoppy IPA, or a refreshing white wine like Sauvignon Blanc to complement the potato's richness and cut through the oil's intensity.
• Fresh Salad Sidekick: Balance the fries' richness with a light, crisp green salad featuring mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette to add freshness and nutritional balance to the meal.

Baked French Fries Done Differently

• Spicy Paprika Potato Strips: Add smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder to the seasoning mix for a bold, fiery kick that transforms ordinary fries into a zesty treat.
• Herb-Infused Golden Wedges: Sprinkle fresh rosemary, thyme, and parmesan cheese over the fries before baking to create an aromatic, Mediterranean-inspired side dish with rich herbal notes.
• Sweet Potato Crispy Alternative: Swap regular potatoes for sweet potatoes, then season with cinnamon and a light dusting of brown sugar for a naturally sweet and nutritious version that caramelizes beautifully in the oven.
• Garlic Parmesan Crunchy Edition: Mix grated parmesan, minced garlic, and dried parsley into the olive oil coating for an indulgent, savory variation that brings restaurant-style flavor to your home-cooked fries.

Baked French Fries (Oven Fries) Recipe

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4.7 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crispy French oven fries deliver golden, restaurant-quality potatoes without deep-frying. Perfectly seasoned potato wedges ensure a healthier alternative that satisfies craving for classic comfort with minimal effort.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 large baking potatoes
• 2–3 tablespoons (30–45 milliliters) olive oil
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) seasoned salt or lemon pepper

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly cleanse whole potatoes under cool running water, preserving the skin for enhanced nutritional value and rustic texture. Select potatoes with firm, smooth surfaces free from blemishes.
2. Slice potatoes into uniform rectangular strips, maintaining consistent thickness to guarantee even cooking and optimal crispiness.
3. Immerse potato strips in ice-cold water for a minimum of half an hour, allowing excess starch to dissolve and preventing potential clumping during roasting.
4. Drain potato strips completely, utilizing paper towels or a clean kitchen cloth to absorb remaining moisture. Excess liquid will impede the crisping process.
5. Transfer dried potato strips into a spacious mixing vessel, drizzling extra virgin olive oil and sprinkling kosher salt, black pepper, and optional herbs like rosemary or thyme for complex flavor profiles.
6. Meticulously distribute seasoned potato strips across a parchment-lined metal baking tray, ensuring each strip maintains individual space without overlapping.
7. Position tray in a preheated oven set at 425°F, positioning the rack in the center position for uniform heat distribution.
8. Roast potatoes for approximately 35-40 minutes, rotating the tray midway through cooking to achieve golden-brown edges and crisp exterior.
9. Remove tray from oven, allowing fries to rest for 2-3 minutes, which helps solidify their crunchy exterior before serving.

Notes

• Crispy exterior comes from thoroughly drying potatoes after soaking, preventing steam and promoting golden browning.
• Cold water soak releases starch, ensuring fries won’t clump and guaranteeing that perfect crunchy texture every home cook craves.
• Olive oil coating creates a protective layer, helping seasonings stick and promoting even, beautiful golden-brown coloration during high-heat baking.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg