Baked French fries are a simple, oven-baked side dish made with russet potatoes, olive oil, and pantry spices. This recipe focuses on crisp edges, tender centers, and consistent results without deep frying.
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A Quick Look at the Recipe
✅ Recipe Name: Baked French Fries
🕒 Ready In: ~40 minutes
👪 Serves: 4 servings
🍽 Calories: ~190 per serving (estimated)
🥣 Main Ingredients: Russet potatoes, olive oil, salt, spices
📖 Dietary Info: Gluten-free; vegan
👌 Difficulty: Easy - slice, season, and bake
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The potatoes are sliced into fries, tossed with olive oil and seasoning, then baked at high heat to encourage browning and crispness. Using the oven instead of oil-heavy frying keeps the process straightforward while still delivering classic french fry texture.
If you enjoy easy potato sides like this, you might also like our Scalloped Potatoes, Garlic Roasted Potatoes, or Sour Cream Potato Salad. These potato recipes use simple ingredients and reliable cooking methods for everyday meals.
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Why You'll Love Baked French Fries:
Crispy Without Frying: Baking the fries at high heat creates crisp edges and tender centers without the need for deep frying.
Simple Ingredients: Made with russet potatoes, olive oil, and pantry spices you likely already have on hand.
Easy Preparation: Slice, season, and bake with minimal hands-on time and no special equipment required.
Customizable Seasoning: The spice blend can be adjusted easily to suit different flavor preferences.
Key Ingredients:
- russet potatoes. Ideal for baked french fries because of their high starch content, which helps create crisp edges and fluffy centers.
- olive oil. Coats the potatoes evenly and promotes browning in the oven.
- salt. Essential for seasoning the fries so they're flavorful throughout, not just on the surface.
Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this page for exact quantities.
Easy Substitutions & Variations:
- Different Potatoes: Yukon Gold potatoes can be used for a slightly creamier interior, though the fries may be a bit less crisp.
- Change the Seasoning: Swap the spice blend for garlic powder, paprika, or Italian seasoning to change the flavor profile.
- Make Them Spicy: Add cayenne pepper or extra chili powder for more heat.
- Use Avocado Oil: Replace olive oil with avocado oil for a higher smoke point if preferred.
- Add Fresh Herbs: Finish the baked french fries with chopped parsley or rosemary just before serving.
How to Make Baked French Fries:
- Step 1: Cut the russet potatoes into evenly sized fry-shaped pieces and place them in a large bowl of cold water. Let soak for 30 minutes to remove excess starch.
- Step 2: Drain the potatoes and pat them completely dry with paper towels. Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Step 3: Transfer the dried potatoes to a large bowl and toss with olive oil, salt, dried basil, chili powder, cumin, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Step 4: Spread the potatoes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, then flip the fries and return them to the oven. Continue baking for 15-20 minutes.
Recipe Notes & Tips:
- Soak the Potatoes: Soaking the fries in cold water for 30 minutes removes excess starch, which helps them bake up crisp instead of gummy.
- Dry Thoroughly: Pat the potatoes completely dry after soaking so the oil can coat them evenly and promote browning.
- Use High Heat: Baking at 425°F helps the fries crisp on the outside while staying tender inside.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Spreading the fries in a single layer allows hot air to circulate and prevents steaming.
- Serve Immediately: Baked french fries are best right out of the oven while they're still crisp.
How to Store:
Refrigerator: Store leftover baked french fries in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat in the oven or air fryer at 400°F until heated through and crisp again, or microwave briefly if needed (note the fries will be softer).
Freezer: Freezing is not recommended for baked french fries, as the texture becomes soft and grainy once thawed.
Baked French Fries FAQs:
Baked french fries are soaked in cold water to remove excess starch from the potatoes. This step helps the fries bake up crisp on the outside instead of soft or gummy.
Russet potatoes are best for baked french fries because their high starch content creates crisp edges and fluffy centers when baked at high heat.
To make baked french fries crispy, soak the potatoes first, dry them thoroughly, use enough oil to coat them evenly, and bake at a high temperature without overcrowding the pan.
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Baked French Fries
Ingredients
- 1 pound russet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Cut the russet potatoes into evenly sized fry-shaped pieces and place them in a large bowl of cold water. Let soak for 30 minutes to remove excess starch.
- Drain the potatoes and pat them completely dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Transfer the dried potatoes to a large bowl and toss with olive oil, salt, dried basil, chili powder, cumin, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Spread the potatoes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, making sure they are not overcrowded.
- Bake for 20 minutes, then flip the fries and return them to the oven.
- Continue baking for another 15-20 minutes, or until the fries are golden brown and crisp on the outside.
- Remove from the oven and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Notes
- Soak the Potatoes: Soaking the fries in cold water for 30 minutes removes excess starch, which helps them bake up crisp instead of gummy.
- Dry Thoroughly: Pat the potatoes completely dry after soaking so the oil can coat them evenly and promote browning.
- Use High Heat: Baking at 425°F helps the fries crisp on the outside while staying tender inside.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Spreading the fries in a single layer allows hot air to circulate and prevents steaming.
- Serve Immediately: Baked french fries are best right out of the oven while they're still crisp.
B says
Very easy to make