French fries are a gift from the potato gods. They go perfectly with almost any main dish, and even kids love them. The best thing about this recipe isn’t that it’s quick or easy (although it is), but that these crispy baked french fries are made in the oven.
That’s right, say goodbye to fried fast food fries. Once you taste these homemade french fries, you’ll never go back!
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What are Homemade Baked French Fries?
Until now, making the perfect fries at home has been a flop. If you have ever pulled out your big, heavy deep fryer and ended up with soggy fries, you know the dilemma. They are never quite right. Homemade baked fries are an easier and healthier alternative to bagged french fries. They come out perfect every single time!
What You Need for Homemade Fries
Grab a high-quality kitchen knife and prepare to brush up on your slicing skills! This is the most involved part of this recipe; besides your potatoes, you’ll need a heavy aluminum baking pan, vegetable oil, cornstarch, and salt for seasoning.
How to Make Oven-Baked Fries
The secret to making the best oven-baked fries is in the prep. You’ll start with real thick-cut potatoes to give them a steak fries feel.
Then (here’s the secret sauce) cook and put them in the microwave for a few minutes to soften them. Next, you’ll dry them and toss them in corn starch and vegetable oil.
The cornstarch makes the fries have that restaurant-quality crunch we all love. And because the french fries aren’t fried, they are easy to make at home and baked in the oven!
Expert Recipe Tips for Delicious Fries
No need for a french fry cutter
If you have one, go ahead and use it, but it’s not necessary. Either use a very sharp knife or a serrated knife for a ruffled edge. Your choice.
Dry your potatoes
Any moisture on the potatoes will keep them from getting extra crispy. Be sure to dry them off with paper towels after washing them.
Bake them in a single layer
If at all possible, lay your thin-cut fries in a single, even layer on the baking sheet. This allows them all to get cooked evenly and until golden brown. You’ll end up with crispier fries than if you pile them in a heap.
Leftover Fries and Reheating
Reheating french fries can prove tricky, but if you have a small toaster oven, you can reheat them in no time. Place your french fries on the tray and heat them until they are heated through. You can also do this in your conventional oven; it will just take longer to preheat. Microwaving is an option, but you’ll likely end up with soggy fries.
What to Serve with French Fries
These make the perfect side dish for The Conquistador Turkey Burger recipe, which you can grab here. Serve them up alongside Shrimp Po Boy Burgers, Best Ever Barbecued Ribs & Charred Corn Salad with Basil and Tomatoes, or Perfect Pan Seared Ribeye Steaks.
If you want these as a meal, try making a big batch of crock pot chili, then add some cheese, and you have homemade chili cheese fries!
Crispy French Fries FAQs
Russett potatoes yield the best results. You can, of course, use any type you like, but they will not turn out the same quality as these medium potatoes do. If you want smaller fries, try using Yukon gold potatoes; just cut them in half. Follow the baked french fries recipe and watch the fries for doneness since they may be thicker fries.
Any moisture on the potatoes will make them soft. Dry the potatoes well and fully coat them in the cornstarch for maximum crispiness. Alternatively, we’ve been loving the air fryer for crispy fries, like these air fry frozen sweet potato fries.
These french fries are yours to experiment with. Potato wedges are so much fun to play with when it comes to flavor, so get creative. Add anything your heart desires, and just give it a taste test. Try garlic powder or chili powder for some kick. Try any of your favorite seasonings. Dip them in tasty condiments like honey mustard, and you have a match made in heaven.
More Delicious Recipes
If this is your first time making homemade french fries, don’t fret, it’s simple! All you need is a cookie sheets and some potatoes and you have healthy baked french fries in no time. These are the best homemade fries you will come across. The first step is grabbing the potatoes.
Add these crispy homemade baked french fries to any meal for a delicious side dish. You’ll want these stashed in your recipe box (or recipe app these days) for future use. Next time you make a burger or some hot dogs, consider adding the fries to the meal. Also, if you try this recipe, please rate the recipe card to help out the next reader!
Crispy Oven Baked French Fries
Ingredients
For the French Fries
- 4 to 5 russet potatoes
- 6 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp salt - plus more for seasoning
To Garnish
- 1 tsp chives - minced
- 2 tbsp finely grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Bake the Fries
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F and place the rack on the lowest position.
- Peel the potatoes and slice them into 1/2" thick slices. Place in a large microwave-safe bowl and cover with plastic wrap.
- Heat for 3 to 5 minutes, tossing halfway through until soft and edges are slightly translucent.
- Remove the potatoes from the bowl and pat dry.
- Coat a heavy-duty rimmed aluminum baking pan with 5 tbsp vegetable oil. Place in the oven 5 to 7 minutes, until the oil just starts to smoke.
- Meanwhile, whisk 1 tbsp vegetable oil with salt and cornstarch in a small bowl. Toss the potatoes with the cornstarch mixture and carefully arrange them on the oil-coated baking sheet.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping halfway through baking.
- Remove from the oven and place fries on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- To Garnish & Serve
- As the fries cool, sprinkle with additional salt, minced chives, and parmesan cheese.
- Toss to coat.
- Serve hot.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional informations provided as a courtesy and is only an approximatation. Values will changes based on ingredients used.
⭐ Tried this recipe? Rate it ⭐
Help out the next person and give it a star rating below!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
Homemade fries are the best!! Love these little beauties.
Kim (Feed Me, Seymour) says
There is definitely a trick to getting perfect, crispy homemade fries! I’m really glad you shared, now I can make these babies at home!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
Nothing beats perfectly crisp french fries! Never tried this trick with the cornstarch before. Can’t wait to test it out!
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
I love oven fries! These look even better than the fried versions.
Carolyn @ Cabot says
These are perfect and would be great paired with ANY and all of the burgers from #burgermonth!~Carolyn @ Cabot
Denise says
I just made these fries with pulled pork sandwiches for lunch…these fries are outstanding…will make these again and and
again
Will says
Can you do this with baby red potatoes cut in half?
Kita says
You could but red potatoes are waxy in consistency so the overall texture is different.