Baked French Fries are one of my family’s all-time favorites. My kids love oven fries even more than the store bought fries. Plus, oven baked fries are so much better for them.
These oven baked fries are perfect alongside jalapeño cheddar burgers, served up with oven fried chicken, as chili cheese fries, or as loaded cheese fries!
Oven Baked French Fries
Russet potatoes are the gold standard for French fries in general. They especially suitable for baked fries, because the skins are thicker and dryer than the skins of other potatoes, so they crisp up nicely in the oven.
Have you ever tried fries in the oven, and found they lack crispiness? Here are two great tips to avoid that problem forever!
How to Make Oven French Fries Crispy
As deep fried french fries are often double fried (once at a lower temp, once at a higher temp to crisp) I’ve found the same thing works magically for oven fries! You can make oven french fries so good and crispy!
- SOAK: Soak the potatoes in cold water after cutting for at least 30 minutes. This step removes a lot of starch (you will see it in the bowl after you remove them) resulting in a crispier French fry!
- DRY: This is really important. Make sure you dry them well so they don’t steam and get soft when they bake! I spin them in my salad spinner and then dap in a kitchen towel.
- OIL & SEASON: Use parchment paper to keep them from sticking and oil to make them crisp! While these are a version of healthy fries, if you want them to crisp, you will still need to be generous with the oil.
- TWO TEMP COOKING: This easy technique allows the fries to bake perfectly crispy! Simply bake at 375°F for a little bit to cook and then turn up the heat to really crisp them up!
How to Cut Potatoes into Fries
I always leave the skin on because it adds a little bit extra fiber (and personally I like the way it tastes… and it’s easier). If you prefer you can peel the potatoes first!
You can cut french fries by hand or save time using a French Fry cutter. I use a cutter for perfectly even fries.
To Cut into Steak Fries:
- Steak fries are typically thicker than french fries. To make baked steak fries, you’ll want to find potatoes that are a little bit smaller. Steak fries should be cut into small wedges about 3/4″ to 1″ thick.
- You will follow the same cooking method below but for a longer period of time.
How to Bake French Fries
To achieve maximum crispiness in your homemade French fries, I do a 2 temperature cook:
- Be sure to preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Dry the fries thoroughly after soaking and before seasoning.
- Generously oil and season the oven fries. Spread evenly in a single layer on a parchment line pan.
- Cook 20 minutes (25 for thicker fries).
- Turn the heat up to 425°F and continue baking until crisp, about 20 minutes.
How Long to Bake French Fries: Remember, thicker fries will take longer and if your fries are too thin, they’ll just burn without crisping.
The length of time for baked French fries will vary, depending on how thick you cut them and of course personal preference. My family likes them more tender crisp, I like them extra crispy!
How to Reheat Fries
You can easily reheat your leftover oven baked fries, either in the oven, or on the stovetop.
- Stovetop Reheating: Add a tablespoon or two of oil in non-stick pan. Reheat over medium heat for a few minutes and enjoy!
- Oven Reheating: Baked fries can be reheated in the oven. Spread them in a single layer on a foil-lined cookie sheet. Bake for 5-10 minutes in a preheated 400°F oven.
- Microwave Reheating: This is less ideal as they can come out soft or soggy! 20-40 seconds should be plenty of time.
How to Freeze Oven Baked French Fries
Your leftover oven baked fries can also be frozen for up to four months in a freezer bag. To reheat, just follow the steps above.
Frozen fries are great reheated but also perfect added to soups, stews and casseroles!
What to Serve With Fries
We love fries with anything with gravy in place of our favorite Mashed Potatoes and with our favorite sandwiches and burgers! Here are a few that we love:
- Mushroom Salisbury Steak – serve with fries instead of mashed potatoes
- Meatball Subs
- Barbecue Ribs in the Oven
- Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes
- Dr. Pepper Crock Pot Pulled Pork
Ingredients
- 4 large baking potatoes
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon seasoned salt or lemon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Wash potatoes leaving skin on (you can peel them if you prefer). Cut potatoes into desired size fries.
- Let potatoes soak in cold water in the sink or in a bowl for at least 30 minutes. Remove from water and dry very well.
- Toss with oil and seasonings. Spread evenly in a single layer on a parchment-lined pan.
- Bake for 20 minutes. Turn the oven up to 425° and cook fries until golden, about 20-25 minutes more.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Side Dish
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This recipe was perfect! If you follow the instructions exactly (I even used the wrong potatoes), it works wonderfully. Fries came out crispy but tender in the middle :) I will definitely be using it many times again in the future
I tried the recipe today. Unfortunately the fries turned out soggy. Where could it have gone wrong? Despite the fries being soggy, my family enjoyed the fresh taste of the potatoes!
Sorry to hear that Shirley, did you thoroughly pat the fries dry after soaking?
I did! I used paper towels for that. The
Hmm, I am not sure then Shirley! Especially if you turned the oven up to 425°F for the last 25-30 mins. We have never had that issue.
No worries. I will try it again
I made these today, but cut the oil down substantially, wondering how large your russets are? I tend to cook and bake by weight. Do you have an idea how many ounces of potatoes you use?
Sorry Jess, we didn’t weigh the potatoes when making this recipe, but they were larger russets.
Appreciate the response!! Mine came out a little oily IMO, but my husband thought they were perfect. Great recipe and technique. Thanks again for sharing!
You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed them :)
Would it be a good idea to dry the fries out in the oven instead of drying them with paper towels?
The heat from the oven might cause them to steam instead of dry and this could make them less crisp.
I wait to try this tonight m, it looks yummy!
I was wondering if you turn them during the bake time of if you just leave them. My tendency would be to flip, but if you don’t then I won’t.
Thanks for the recipe!!
I personally don’t turn them! :) Enjoy!
This is a great recipe! They were nice and crispy without the mess of frying. Thank you!
Delicious! We made ours with garlic olive oil and I did two versions: lemon pepper and seasoned salt. I cannot believe how much they tasted like real fried fries. Thank you!
Yumm, great variations Lia!
Just cooked them today. Wow! Better than store bought French fries.
Thanks again, Holly…I love the clear way you describe your recipes. Are you a teacher ? Have you written any cook books ? This is a superior set up. Sue ( in Ottawa, Canada
Thank you for your kind words Sue! I am not a teacher :) I don’t have any cookbooks as of yet… but I hope to someday!
hello
these sound yummy , but wondered what soaking them in water does, the benefit?
There is some info in the post. This step removes a lot of starch (you will see it in the bowl after you remove them) resulting in a crispier French fry!
Never tried oven fry, sounds nice. also found air fry, interesting.
They are delicious both way Jane! Can’t wait for you to try them :)
Hi, just wondering when you put them in the oven does each fry have to be separated or can the be touching? Thanks.
They crisp better if they are separated
Best oven fry recipe I’ve come across, thanks!
This two-step approach came out the best of any other oven recipe i’ve followed, but only because I was suspicious of this advice: “…425° and cook fries until golden, about 25-30 minutes more.” My thin-cut potatoes would have been cinders. I cut the heat at 10 min, pulled them at 12…. perfection.
Really great recipe! I made them tonight for my family and we all loved them. Thanks!
These were excellent! I chopped fresh rosemary from the garden and tossed that in, and used pecan oil and they were fantastic!
My mouth is watering just reading that
These fries are delicious!!!!!
Will tin foil work instead of parchment paper? I’m so excited to try these!!
The parchment keeps it from sticking. If you try tinfoil, be sure to spray it really well.
yes but I crumble up the foil then pull it out to leave ridges for the fries to rest on and allow cooking all around the frie with no turning only at the end
genius!
Great fry recipe
My husband was a skeptic, but these turned out to be HIS FAVORITE fry! We made them a month ago. Making them again tonight with dinner per his request.
Yummy, so glad he loves them too!! We had them last night with hot turkey sandwiches…