Delight in our Crispy Oven Baked Fries, coated with extra virgin olive oil and a medley of seasonings before being baked to golden perfection. The result? Fries with a crispy exterior and a wonderfully fluffy center! Simple to prepare, bursting with flavor, and ready in under 60 minutes—prep time included. These fries make the perfect accompaniment to any meal.
Idaho Potatoes reign supreme in our kitchen—no advertisement here (though it could be!) Their consistent quality ensures every bite is just right, delivering unparalleled flavor. For over 35 years, we’ve baked, mashed, roasted, scalloped, whipped, fried, crafted salads, and fashioned fondant Idaho Potatoes, each dish a testament to their versatility and excellence.
These restaurant-style fries are healthier than deep fat fried and you’re in charge of the flavor! Use our recipe and adjust the seasonings to your liking with a dash or more of your favorite herbs and spices.
The Maillard Reaction: Heat at Its Peak! It’s a simultaneous chemical dance where heat works its magic on the proteins and sugars present in food, both inside and out. This enchanting process births fresh aromas, vibrant hues, and tantalizing tastes. Picture a sizzling steak with that perfect char, or a pan-fried chicken boasting a crispy exterior and juicy interior, or perhaps some pan-roasted almonds exuding a delightful toasty essence.
But here’s the kicker: the heat must be intense! Swift heating triggers moisture to vanish, paving the way for that exquisite browning we crave. Whether it’s the scorching embrace of grills, the fiery kiss of hot pans, the oven’s warm caress, the even heat of griddles, the precision of blowtorches (post-sous vide adventures), or the bubbling depths of deep fryers—each method births layers upon layers of flavor complexity in our beloved dishes.
Spice Up Your Oven-Baked Fries!
Let your imagination run wild and experiment with fresh flavor pairings!
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Chili powder
- Cumin
- Smoked paprika
- Cayenne pepper (for a kick)
- Italian seasoning blend
- Cajun seasoning
- Curry powder
- Turmeric (for a vibrant color and earthy flavor)
- Lemon pepper seasoning
- Old Bay seasoning
- Dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, or oregano
- Parmesan cheese (grated)
- Truffle salt or truffle oil (for a luxurious touch)
- Red pepper flakes (for added heat)
- Seasoned salt
- Barbecue seasoning
- Ranch seasoning mix
- Everything bagel seasoning blend (for a unique twist)
- Sesame seeds (white or black)
Sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on the fries 10 minutes before they’re done baking to infuse them with a burst of umami goodness!
Crispy Oven-Baked Fries: A Step-by-Step Guide to Perfectly Golden Fries
Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to a high temperature, around 425-450°F (220-230°C). This high heat will help crisp up the fries quickly.
Choose the Right Potatoes: Opt for starchy potatoes like Russets, Yukon Golds, or Idaho potatoes. These varieties have a higher starch content, which helps achieve a crispy exterior.
Scrub and Cut: Thoroughly scrub the potatoes to remove any dirt, and then cut them into uniform-sized fries. This ensures even cooking.
Soak in Cold Water: Soak the cut fries in cold water for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight. This helps remove excess starch, resulting in crispier fries.
Dry Thoroughly: After soaking, drain the fries and pat them dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Moisture is the enemy of crispiness, so make sure the fries are completely dry before proceeding.
Coat with Oil: Toss the dried fries in a bowl with a few tablespoons of oil (such as vegetable or olive oil) until evenly coated. The oil helps the fries crisp up in the oven.
Season Liberally: Season the fries with salt and any desired seasonings or spices. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your seasoning blends!
Arrange on Baking Sheet: Arrange the seasoned fries in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Make sure there’s some space between each fry to allow for even air circulation.
Bake at High Heat: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the fries for about 25-30 minutes, flipping them halfway through cooking. Keep an eye on them towards the end to prevent burning.
Optional: Finish with Parmesan: If desired, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the fries during the last 5-10 minutes of baking for an extra boost of flavor and umami.
Tips for Extra-Crispy Skin
- Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet, as this can lead to steaming rather than crisping.
- For extra crispy fries, use a baking rack placed on top of the baking sheet to allow air to circulate around the fries.
- Avoid using too much oil, as excess oil can make the fries greasy instead of crispy.
- Experiment with different seasonings and spices to customize the flavor of your fries.
- Serve the fries immediately for the crispiest texture, as they tend to lose their crispness over time.
Toss the wedges well by hand or mix with a wooden spoon until coated evenly….
Spread the potato wedges in an even layer on the parchment lined sheet pan, cut side down in the same direction (so when you flip half way through cooking you’ll know which have been turned).
Bake the potatoes for 25 minutes in the preheated oven, then remove and flip the potatoes over to the other side. return to the oven and cook 20 minutes more or until golden and cooked through thoroughly.
Remove from the oven and let the fries cool for 5 minutes, taste for seasoning, adjust accordingly then serve alongside your favorite meal.
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How to Make Crispy Oven Baked Fries
Equipment
- Sheet pan + parchment paper + cutting board + sharp knife
Ingredients
- 4 large Idaho Potatoes , scrubbed + cut into wedges
- 2-3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), same as 2 large glugs
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 Tablespoons fresh Rosemary, chopped
- generous amount of Kosher sea salt + freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F/230°C and then line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Add the blotted potato wedges into a large glass bowl, pour in the EVOO, then add smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, fresh chopped Rosemary, and S+P to taste....
- Toss the wedges well by hand or mix with a wooden spoon until coated evenly....
- Spread the potato wedges in an even layer on the parchment lined baking sheet, cut side down in the same direction (so when you flip half way through cooking you'll know which have been turned).
- Bake the potatoes for 25 minutes in the preheated oven, then remove and flip the potatoes over to the other side. return to the oven and cook 20 minutes more or until golden and cooked through thoroughly.
- Remove from the oven and let the fries cool for 5 minutes, taste for seasoning, adjust accordingly. Serve with desired dish.
Notes
- Prep time is approximate, be sure that your knife is freshly sharpened (a dull knife is a dangerous knife).
- Cooking time can vary depending on the size of the potato wedges, keep a watchful eye and if you sense or smell that the wedges are cooking faster then pull them out and test.
- Best served just after baking, but leftovers can be stored in the fridge and reheated in a 450°F/230°C oven for approximately 10-15 minutes (turn halfway through reheating).
Creative Recipe Inspiration
Indulge in the luxurious flavors of a steakhouse right in the comfort of your own home with our irresistible Steakhouse Potato Stacks with Rosemary. Each bite is a symphony of tender, thinly sliced potatoes delicately layered with aromatic rosemary, perfectly seasoned, and baked to golden perfection.
Indulge in the creamy decadence of our Restaurant-Style Mashed Potatoes, meticulously crafted to elevate your dining experience to new heights. Each spoonful is a symphony of velvety smooth potatoes, whipped to perfection with rich butter and creamy milk, ensuring a luxuriously silky texture that melts in your mouth.
Step Into My Kitchen!
Hey there, fellow food enthusiast! Welcome to Mean Green Chef, where every dish tells a story and every recipe is a labor of love. I’m thrilled to share a bit about myself and the journey that led me here, stirring pots and sprinkling spices for over three decades!
We make our own garlicky-herbed fries but never thought of soaking to remove the starch for a crispier frie! Definitely will give this tip a try!
Great, Suzan please be sure to let me know how they turn out! 🙂
These look so tasty! I’m making these on my next burger night!
Great, Jennifer let me know how they turn out, please! 🙂
These look so delicious. I like to make fries in the oven. I’ve never done them this way though, I bet the oil makes them crispy.
Yep, the EVOO really adds a lot of color, flavor, and texture to these oven fries, thanks for checking them out Pauline! 🙂
I love healthier versions of fries! These look fab!
Thanks so much, Erika! 🙂
Potatoes are my favorite food and I would eat them with every meal if you let me (also breakfast food, but I won’t go there now…). This recipe sounds amazing and I can’t wait to make them!!
Lol, they are one of my favorite foods to Colleen! I love making breakfast hash (but I won’t go there now :)) thanks for stopping by to check them out!
I love all the spice options you list here. This is really a recipe that can be tweaked to be a side dish to go with about anything.
Yes, Angela! You can flavor them any way that you like! 🙂
OMG, these look like they would have a satisfying light crunch to them!
They really do, Kyndall! 🙂
I LOVE potatoes in all forms and these crispy oven baked fries look so good! I will definitely give them a try! 😋
Great, thanks so much, Morgan! Be sure to let me know how they turn out 😋
Idaho potatoes it is! I make fries with sweet potatoes but never tried it with regular ones!
Sweet potato fries are great too, Kim! Please let me know how you all enjoy them with our favorite Idaho potatoes! 🙂
Potatoes are the mainstay of my diet! And I love oven roasted potatoes. I’ve been trying different spice and herb combinations. Haven’t had a bad batch yet! I haven’t tried soaking the potatoes though. I’ll have to do so.
Hope you like the trick of soaking the potatoes to pull out the extra starch, Cindy! Be sure to let us know how it goes 🙂 thank you for stopping by to check out our recipe!
I want to try these with sweet potato fries with adobo seasoning! Another masterpiece of yours! How do you come up with these amazing, tasty and simple to make (where we all can relate)?
Ohhh I love Adobo it would be amazing with sweet potatoes, Jane! Thanks so much for the compliments, you really make my day! 🤗🤗🤗
Those look SO good! I can’t wait to try them!
Awesome, Kari, I hope you love them too, you can flavor them any way you like! 🙂