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Who doesn’t love a good French fry? Especially when they’re not loaded with oil and salt and you can eat as many as your heart desires! These oven-baked fries are not only delicious, but they’re also relatively healthy and easy to make. After trying this recipe, I’m sure you’ll never want to buy those ultra-processed, freezer bags full of fries ever again.
Below is a step-by-step guide to making these crispy fries, with a full recipe summary and measurements at the bottom of the page.
Here’s an informational list of the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe:
- Russet potatoes: These are my go-to when it comes to homemade fries because they are dense and contain less moisture than other potatoes, so you’re less likely to end up with soggy fries. If you don’t have any russets, Yukon golds would be my second choice. While potatoes are pretty low on the scale of nutrient density, they do have some benefits. They contain lots of antioxidants like Vitamin C and are high in fiber so they’re good for your digestive health.
- Avocado oil: Or whatever neutral vegetable oil you’ve got! While I do try to limit my oil intake, I think it’s definitely a necessary ingredient to achieve the crispiness you want out of these fries. There does seem to be a lot of controversy regarding the health benefits and of certain vegetable oils. Here’s my take: While some certainly contain healthier fats than others, too much oil is bad for our health, regardless of what type. Since oil is basically concentrated fat, it can be very easy to overconsume, which can lead to excess body fat and increased health issues. Nuts and seeds are the best way to achieve a healthy fat intake without consuming too many calories.
- Corn starch: This versatile ingredient does a fantastic job of achieving that desired crispiness you want when frying or baking certain foods. Corn starch is also an excellent thickening agent for sauces and gravy.
- Garlic powder, Onion powder, Paprika, Salt/pepper: In addition to the amazing flavor they bring, there are added benefits when it comes to including spices in your recipes. According to NutritonFacts.org, spices offer a wide range of benefits and are known to improve health issues such as cancer, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, and they can even be mood boosters! For that reason, it’s important to include at least a small amount of herbs and spices in your daily diet.
Pro tip: I always try to buy my produce from the local farmer’s market because the quality of flavor makes a huge difference! Plus I love to support my community and the environment, and you can’t beat the piece of mind of knowing exactly where your food comes from. I encourage you to check out your local farms (if you haven’t already) and see what they have to offer!
Step 1:
Slice up your russet potatoes into the shape of fries or use a fry cutter if you’ve got one handy! I like to leave the skins on, but you can always peel them if you prefer.
Step 2:
Add the fresh-cut fries to a bowl, submerge them in cold water, and let them sit for 5 minutes. Then, using your hand, vigorously shake them around underwater, drain, and rinse one more time.
Pro tip: The process of soaking the potatoes in cold water, agitating them, draining, and rinsing again draws out a lot of the starch, which helps them to get extra crispy when baked.
Step 3:
Lay the potatoes out on a kitchen towel and pat them dry so the seasoning sticks to them easier and they don’t get soggy in the oven. Then, dump them onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat, drizzle with oil and season with the pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Toss to evenly coat. Then, add corn starch and toss again, making sure to thoroughly massage it into the fries so you’re not left with any powder on the baking sheet.
Note: These silicone baking mats are easily one of my favorite kitchen investments. They work incredibly well and since they’re reusable, they cut down on a bunch of waste. I highly recommend getting yourself some if you don’t have any already. Here’s the link to the ones I have: Silicone Baking Mats
Step 4:
Arrange the fries in a single layer on the baking sheet (you may need two), trying to spread them out as much as possible. The more spread out they are, the crispier they’ll get!
Step 5:
Bake at 400°F for 25-35 minutes, tossing every 10 minutes, until fries reach desired crispiness. After they’re done baking, season with salt and serve.
Just like that you’ve got delicious, guilt-free, homemade French fries that you won’t want to stop eating! Serve these up as a side or appetizer, or load them up with chili or nacho toppings and make a whole meal out of it. I do recommend eating them fresh since they don’t store too well. If you happen to have some leftover, just store them in the fridge for up to 5 days and pop them back in the oven or toaster oven to reheat. If you try out this recipe and enjoy it, share it with a friend and comment down below. I always love to hear your feedback!
Crispy Baked French Fries
Ingredients
- 6 russet potatoes sliced into the shape of fries
- 1 tbsp avocado oil or olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 2 tbsp corn starch
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Add fresh-cut fries to a bowl, submerge in cold water, and let them soak for 5 minutes. Then, using your hand, vigorously shake them around underwater, drain, and rinse one more time.
- Pat the fries dry with a kitchen towel and lay them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Drizzle them with the avocado oil and season with the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and pepper and toss well to evenly distribute.
- Sprinkle the corn starch and toss again, making sure to thoroughly massage it into the fries so you're not left with any powder on the baking sheet.
- Arrange the fries in a single layer on the baking sheet (you may need two), trying to spread them out as much as possible. The more spread out they are, the crispier they'll get.
- Bake at 400°F for 25-35 minutes, tossing every 10 minutes, until fries reach desired crispiness. After they're done baking, season with salt and serve.
