Crispy and Delicious Homemade Baked French Fries: The Ultimate Easy Recipe
Craving the irresistible crunch of perfectly golden French fries but want a simpler, less oily alternative to deep-frying? Look no further! These homemade baked French fries are engineered to be wonderfully crisp on the outside and delightfully soft and fluffy on the inside. Achieved with just two primary ingredients – potatoes and olive oil – plus your favorite seasoning, this recipe makes whipping up a batch of delicious fries at home incredibly easy and satisfying.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Baked French Fries Recipe
Deep-fried French fries are undoubtedly a classic indulgence, but they often come with a heavy calorie and fat count. While we can’t label these baked french fries as “healthy” in the strictest sense, they offer a significantly lighter alternative without compromising on flavor or that beloved crispy texture. This recipe stands out for several reasons:
- Simplicity: You only need potatoes, olive oil, and seasoning – ingredients you likely already have in your pantry.
- Crispy Perfection: The secret lies in a smart soaking method and a two-stage baking temperature, ensuring every fry achieves that ideal golden crispiness without being greasy.
- Reduced Fat: Baking uses far less oil than deep-frying, making these fries a guilt-minimizing option for your snack cravings or side dish needs.
- Versatile: Easily customize with various seasonings to match your meal or mood.
- Less Mess: No splattering oil or difficult disposal like with traditional deep-frying. Cleanup is a breeze!
Once you try these oven-baked fries, you might just find yourself reaching for the oven instead of the deep fryer every time a fry craving hits. They’re a true game-changer for homemade potato perfection!
Simple Ingredients for Perfect Homemade Fries
You’ll be amazed at how few ingredients are required to achieve such incredible flavor and texture with these oven-baked french fries. The magic truly lies in the technique and the quality of these essential components. All exact measurements, a detailed list of ingredients, and comprehensive instructions are available in the printable recipe card at the very end of this post.
Ingredient Spotlight: Choosing the Best for Your Fries
Success with baked fries often starts with selecting the right potatoes and understanding how your seasonings will contribute to the final taste.
- POTATOES – The type of potato you choose is paramount for achieving that classic fry texture. We highly recommend using either Russet potatoes (also known as Idaho potatoes) or Yukon Gold potatoes (often called yellow potatoes).
- Russet potatoes are starchy, making them ideal for a classic, fluffy interior that crisps up beautifully on the outside. They are the go-to for traditional French fries.
- Yukon Gold potatoes offer a slightly creamier interior with a lovely golden hue, and they still deliver a fantastic crispy exterior.
Important: Do not use waxy varieties such as red potatoes or fingerlings. These potatoes have a lower starch content and higher moisture, which prevents them from getting as crispy as desired, often resulting in soggy fries.
- OLIVE OIL – A good quality olive oil is key for both flavor and achieving that golden crust. It also contributes healthy monounsaturated fats. You’ll need just enough to lightly coat the potatoes, helping them crisp without becoming greasy. Other high-smoke-point oils like avocado oil can also be used as a substitute if preferred.
- SEASONING – While a simple sprinkle of salt can be delicious, our recommended French fry seasoning blend takes these oven-baked fries to the next level. It typically includes a balanced mix of cumin, paprika, oregano, garlic salt, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper. The aromatic spices infuse the potatoes with incredible depth of flavor. Remember, for the best results, always season your potatoes *before* they go into the oven. This allows the spices to adhere and bake onto the fries, creating a more cohesive flavor.
How to Make Perfectly Crispy Baked French Fries
These step-by-step photos and detailed instructions are designed to guide you visually through the process of making this delightful recipe. For your convenience, you can Jump to Recipe at any time to get the complete printable version, which includes all precise measurements and instructions at the bottom of the page.
- Prepare the Potatoes: Begin by washing your potatoes thoroughly. Slice each potato into uniform ½-inch thick sticks. Consistency in size is important for even cooking. Once sliced, place all potato sticks into a large bowl and completely cover them with cold water. Allow the potatoes to soak for a minimum of 30 minutes. This crucial step helps to draw out excess starch, which is vital for achieving that ultimate crispiness and preventing the fries from sticking together.
- Dry and Season: After soaking, thoroughly drain the water from the bowl. It is absolutely essential to pat the potato slices completely dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Any remaining moisture will steam the fries instead of allowing them to crisp up. Once dry, drizzle the potatoes with olive oil, ensuring each piece is lightly coated. Then, sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of your chosen French Fry Seasoning and toss or shake the bowl until the seasoning is evenly distributed across all the fries.
- First Bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the seasoned fries in a single layer on a large baking sheet, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Overcrowding will cause the fries to steam rather than bake crisply. Bake for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove the tray from the oven and use a spatula to toss and flip the fries, ensuring they are not sticking and will cook evenly.
- Second Bake for Crispiness: Increase your oven temperature to 420°F (215°C). Return the baking sheet to the oven and continue to cook for an additional 15-20 minutes. Keep a close eye on them during this stage, as oven temperatures can vary. You want the fries to be beautifully golden brown and delightfully crispy. The higher temperature in this second stage is what truly develops that crave-worthy crunch.
- Serve Immediately: Once done, remove the baked French fries from the oven and serve them piping hot. They are perfect on their own or with your favorite dipping sauces, such as classic ketchup, creamy fry sauce, or even a spicy sriracha aioli!
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Perfect Fries
Soaking the sliced potatoes in cold water is a vital step for achieving truly crisp baked fries. Potatoes contain a lot of starch. When you cut them, some of this starch is released. Soaking helps to draw out this excess surface starch. If the starch isn’t removed, it can cause the fries to stick together on the baking sheet and can lead to a gummy, rather than crisp, texture. This simple 30-minute soak is your secret weapon for perfectly separated, golden-brown, and crispy fries.
Absolutely! The air fryer is another fantastic appliance for achieving crispy fries with less oil. To adapt this recipe for the air fryer, follow the same preparation steps: slice, soak, pat dry, oil, and season the potatoes. Then, cook them in a preheated air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 10-13 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking and crisping. Cooking times can vary by air fryer model, so always check for your desired crispiness. For more in-depth guidance on this method, refer to our dedicated air fryer French fries post.
Whether to peel your potatoes or not is entirely a matter of personal preference! You do not have to peel the potatoes before slicing them for this recipe. Leaving the skin on adds a rustic look, a bit more fiber, and some extra nutrients. Many people also enjoy the slightly chewy texture the skin provides. If you prefer a smoother, more uniform fry, or if you simply don’t like the potato skin, feel free to peel them first. Both methods will yield delicious results.
Beyond soaking and the two-temperature baking method, there are a few additional tricks for super crispy fries: 1. Ensure thorough drying: Patting the potatoes completely dry after soaking is critical. Moisture creates steam, preventing crisping. 2. Don’t overcrowd the pan: Give your fries space to breathe. If you have too many, use two baking sheets. 3. Add a touch of cornstarch: Before oiling and seasoning, toss the thoroughly dried potato slices with 1-2 teaspoons of cornstarch. This creates an even crispier exterior. 4. Use a wire rack: Baking on a wire rack placed over a baking sheet allows air to circulate all around the fries, promoting maximum crispiness on all sides.
While baked fries are best enjoyed immediately, you can certainly prepare them slightly ahead. You can slice and soak the potatoes up to a day in advance, storing them in cold water in the refrigerator. Just be sure to drain and pat them thoroughly dry before proceeding with oiling and seasoning. For storing leftovers, allow them to cool completely, then place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 5-10 minutes, or air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes, until crispy again.
Serving Suggestions: What to Pair with Your Crispy Fries
These incredibly versatile baked French fries are much more than just a side dish; they can be the star of a casual meal or the perfect accompaniment to almost anything. Serve them hot and fresh in charming fry baskets for an authentic diner feel, whether as a satisfying appetizer or a quick, delicious snack. Here are some pairing ideas:
- Classic Pairings: They are, of course, the ultimate companion to juicy burgers, grilled sandwiches, hot dogs, or homemade chicken tenders.
- Dipping Delights: Don’t limit yourself to just ketchup! Explore a world of dipping sauces like tangy BBQ sauce, sweet and savory honey mustard, creamy ranch, zesty garlic aioli, spicy sriracha mayo, or a classic French fry sauce.
- Creative Sides: Elevate your weeknight dinner by serving them alongside baked salmon, roasted chicken, or a fresh garden salad.
- Loaded Fries: Take them up a notch by turning them into loaded fries! Top with melted cheese, crispy bacon bits, green onions, and a dollop of sour cream for an indulgent treat.
Explore More Delicious Fry Recipes
If you love the versatility and deliciousness of fries, we have a variety of other recipes that put a spin on this classic favorite, exploring different ingredients and cooking methods:
- Potato Wedges: Hearty and seasoned, these thick-cut potato wedges are perfect for a substantial side dish.
- Baked Sweet Potato Fries: A naturally sweet and vibrant alternative, offering a different flavor profile and nutritional benefits.
- Air Fryer Zucchini Fries: A lighter, low-carb option that’s incredibly crispy and satisfying, perfect for a guilt-free snack.
- Air Fryer Green Bean Fries: An unexpected but delicious way to enjoy your vegetables, offering a unique crunch.
- Air Fryer Jalapeno Fries: For those who love a kick, these spicy fries are packed with flavor and a satisfying crisp.
- Almond and Parmesan Crusted Asparagus Fries: An elegant and incredibly flavorful vegetable fry that makes an impressive appetizer or side.
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Baked French Fries
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 3 Russet potatoes
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 Tbsp french fry seasoning optional
Things You’ll Need
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Large bowl
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Baking sheet
Before You Begin
- Soaking the potatoes helps draw the starch out, stops them from sticking together, and all-in-all creates perfectly crisp fries.
- You do not have to peel the potatoes before slicing, however, you can peel them if that is how you prefer them.
- The two best types of potatoes for french fries are Russet and Yukon gold potatoes. Yukon gold will produce a soft yet crunchy fry and russet potatoes give more of a classic french fry taste. You may know Russet potatoes as Idaho or Yukon’s as yellow. Do not use a waxy variety like fingerlings or red potatoes.
Instructions
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Slice potatoes into ½ inch slices. Place in a large bowl and cover with water. Let the potatoes soak for 30 minutes. Drain and pat dry.
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Drizzle the potatoes with olive oil and toss or shake with 1 Tbsp French Fry Seasoning.
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Bake at 375 degrees F for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and toss them around on the tray to make sure they are not sticking.
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Raise the oven temp to 420 degrees F and cook for another 15-20 minutes, or until fries are slightly brown and crispy.
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Serve with ketchup or French Fry Sauce!
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.