With crispy edges, a pillowy center, and zero frying required, our Oven Baked Fries are a comforting accompaniment to your favorite burger or fish and chips — if they last long enough to make it to the plate.
Name anything more comforting than a plate of crispy French fries -- we’ll wait. Whether you’re a fan of crinkle cut, shoestring, curly, wedges or even the criss-cross ones that look like a waffle, nothing makes your day brighter than a crispy, salty fry.
While it’s no lie that we could eat fries every day for every meal, our eating philosophy is all about balance, and our Crispy Oven Baked Fries are just that — crispy fries baked in the oven!
Made with russet potatoes, a little olive oil, salt, and chives, this recipe is as simple as cutting potatoes, soaking them, boiling them, baking them, and eating them — no frying required. They're a simple, addictive, can't-get-enough-of-them recipe, so much so that we had to include them as a blog favorite in our debut cookbook, Eat With Us.
Served on their own with a side of mayo (sorry, ketchup lovers), as an accompaniment to our Homemade Big Mac or our Parmiagiana Pork Burger, or better yet, under a bed of fresh, squeaky curds and gravy (hello, poutine), these baked oven fries are as addictive as any brown-paper-takeout-bag filled with your favorite crisps and are sure to bring a little crisp to your meal.
Ingredient List
- Russet potatoes
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Chives
Oven Baked French Fries Step by Step
Preheat your oven to 450°f.
Clean potatoes and cut lengthwise into quarter-inch slices. Cut quarter-inch sticks from each of those slices and place them in a medium pot.
Pour water into the pot until the potatoes are covered by one inch. Season generously with salt (2 to 3 teaspoons) and place on high heat and bring the water to a boil for 3 minutes.
Drain the potatoes well and transfer them to a clean towel. Pat the potatoes dry and place them in a bowl or back into the pot.
Drizzle with 3 tablespoons of oil and season with a good pinch of salt. Place the parboiled potatoes on a large baking sheet and spread them out so they are mostly in a single layer.
Bake for 20 minutes, then flip and bake for an additional 10 minutes. If the fries aren't crispy enough, bake the oven fries for additional time, in 3-minute intervals, until golden and crispy.
Transfer the baked French fries to a bowl and season with another pinch of salt. Sprinkle with chives and toss until the fries are speckled with flakes of salt and chives.
Enjoy by themselves, with mayo, and/or ketchup.
Styling Tip: Serve your French fries on your favorite diner-inspired plate and serve your sauces in individual condiment cups. Before serving, finish with coarse salt and chopped chives.
FAQ’s
Do you have to parboil the fries? To ensure your fries are crisp on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside, then yes, you need to parboil the potatoes before baking. Oven-baked fries that aren’t parboiled, will be tough and chewy.
How to Clean Potatoes. Run the potatoes under cold water and scrub them with a vegetable brush (affiliate link). You can also use a clean sponge scrubber or even a dry towel to rub off any excess dirt.
Can You Eat Potatoes That Have Sprouted? As long as the sprouts are small and the potato is still firm, it is fine to eat. Just cut out the sprouts and prepare the potato as you would. If the potatoes are wrinkled and soft to touch, then best to leave that sprouted potato.
How to Reheat Fries. Our go-to method for reheating fries is in the oven. Place the fries on a baking sheet and into a 400°f oven for about 5 to 8 minutes.
Substitutions
- Oil: any light tasting oil can be swapped in for the olive oil.
- Potatoes: we’ve tested other varieties of potatoes, but for us, russet potatoes are the best for fries as they have high starch content that results in a crispy outer layer and pillowy inside.
Variations
Oven fries can be seasoned in many different ways. While we love our fries simply seasoned with salt and chives, paprika, garlic salt and spicy seasoning mixes can add another layer of flavor to your French fries.
Recommended Tools and Ingredients
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Crispy Oven Baked French Fries
Ingredients
- 2 lbs russet potatoes cut into ¼" sticks
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped chives
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450° F.
- Clean potatoes and cut lengthwise into quarter-inch slices. Cut quarter-inch sticks from each of those slices and place in a medium pot.
- Place potato sticks in a pot. Cover with cold water and add about 2 to 3 teaspoons of salt. Bring the potatoes to a boil for 3 minutes. Drain the water and ensure the fries are completely dry using a clean towel.
- Return the potatoes to a bowl and drizzle with olive oil and a pinch of salt. Toss to coat and transfer to a baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 minutes, then flip and bake for an additional 10 minutes. (If necessary, bake the oven fries for additional time, in 3-minute intervals, until golden and crispy)
- Once the fries are done, place in a bowl and season with additional pinch of salt and the chives. Serve with mayo and/or ketchup.
Meghan says
These fries are amazing. I have made them twice in the last three days! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Chef Sous Chef says
Thanks Meghan! At least you don't need to feel guilty for eating these more than once 😉
sheenam | thetwincookingproject.net says
Thanks for sharing these tips! These potatoes look really amazing.
Chef Sous Chef says
Thanks Sheenam. We really love these fries and they have become a staple in our home.
Cindy Burkholder says
These fries are awesome! Have made them 3 times in the past week! So crispy. Our gratitude for a great recipe.
Chef Sous Chef says
Thanks so much Cindy! We're so glad you enjoyed them. They are in regular rotation for us too ?
Adam says
I was looking for a steak fries recipe calling for parboiling. Thanks! I cut my potatoes into wedges... I love that crispy edge they get.
Chef Sous Chef says
Hi Adam. That's wonderful. The parboiling definitely helps to achieved those crispy edges! Thanks for stopping by.
Kate Maloney says
This is my second time making them and they are perfect!! Best recipe I have found for oven fries.
Chef Sous Chef says
This is so wonderful to hear Kate. Thanks for taking the time to let us know how much you loved the fries!
Rebecca says
Absolutely fabulous recipe! My husband is constantly asking me to make these. Any experience freezing them after parboiling?
Chef Sous Chef says
Thanks Rebecca! It's a favourite in our house too! We have never tried to freeze them after the parboiling. If doing so, let them cool to room temperature then lay them in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze them before transferring to a freezer-safe container. Good luck!
Megan says
Followed the recipe exactly. Fries came out the opposite of crispy.
Chef Sous Chef says
Hi Megan,
I appreciate you taking the time to comment. It can be frustrating if recipes don't work out as expected. Because these fries are parboiled and people's ovens are not consistent temperatures we included in Step 3 that if they are not done to place them in the oven for additional 3-5 minutes at a time until crispy. I hope you try them again and have better results. If you do try again, please let us know how they turn out. All the best.
AJ says
Hi there! Can you please clarify Step 2? Should the five minutes start as soon as you turn on the flame? Or do you mean bring the water to a boil, then let the fries boil for five minutes? Thanks!
Chef Sous Chef says
Hi AJ,
Thanks for the question. The 5 minutes will start once the water just begins to come to a boil.
Rob says
Just awesome
Philip + Mystique says
Thanks Rob! Appreciate you taking the time to comment and rate the recipe. We think they're just awesome too 😉
Rae says
We LOVE these! Perfectly crispy every time as long as I bake them about 15 minutes longer. My oven is a cheap piece of so-an-so. My favorite way to serve them is with sweet chili sauce for dipping! Sooooo good!