Check out this super-healthy twist on fries: the secret is that they’re baked French fries.
Oven Fries
Making baked oven fries isn’t as hard as you think if you have 10 minutes of prep time, you can do this. After you’ve chopped the potatoes—no peeling needed—pop these in the oven for 40 minutes.
Potatoes are an excellent source of potassium, fiber and vitamin C especially when you keep the skins on. They also warm you up on a cold night and their crispness pairs well with a dipping sauce of your choice, such as our mayonnaise-based fry sauce recipe.
Pair these with a classic burger, steak or fried fish for a no-complaints dinner that every home cook wants!
Ingredients for Oven Fries
- Potatoes: It’s up to you what types of potatoes you want to bake although the most common are Russet ( also called Idaho).
- Olive Oil: If possible, use extra-virgin olive oil as it’s the least processed olive oil you can buy.
- Paprika: Made from dried ground peppers, paprika adds zing but not too much heat. It is versatile for a group of people with varied tolerances for spices.
- Garlic Powder: Garlic that’s been dried and ground is garlic powder and the reason you want to use this over fresh garlic is because it more easily disperses.
Directions
Step 1: Preheat the oven
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Step 2: Cut, season and toss the potatoes
Cut each potato into 12 wedges and keep the skins on. In a large bowl, combine the oil, paprika, salt and garlic powder. Add the potatoes to the oil blend and then toss to coat.
Test Kitchen/Editor’s Tip: This recipe is a great excuse to use rock salt, a chunky sea salt, or even a flavored sea salt if you have that on hand. Because you’re applying the salt topically, as opposed to mixing with other ingredients, you don’t need to worry about it not dispersing.
Step 3: Bake the fries and serve
Transfer the cut and seasoned potatoes to a greased 15x10x1-inch baking pan. Bake them until tender, for 40 to 45 minutes and turn once.
Oven Fries Variations
- Turn these into poutine: Take these baked French fries even further by turning them into poutine, a Canadian specialty (tracing back to the country’s Quebec region) where cheese curds are tossed with the fries and gravy. Our poutine recipe walks you through how to make it.
- Play around with seasonings: To make Cajun oven fries, omit the paprika, salt and garlic powder. Combine the oil with 2 to 3 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning. For chili oven fries, omit the paprika. Combine oil with salt, garlic powder and 1 tablespoon chili powder. Herbed oven fries are also easy; omit the paprika and garlic powder, combine oil with salt, 1/3 cup grated Parmesan, 4 teaspoons dried basil and 3/4 teaspoon pepper.
How to Store Oven Fries
Once you make these oven fries they’re simple to store until you are ready to enjoy again—as long as you follow these key tips.
Can you freeze oven fries?
Just like you can buy frozen oven fries at the grocery store, you can also freeze homemade oven fries. Store in either a resealable freezer bag or air-tight container. They will keep for up to six months.
How long do oven fries last?
Typically, these will only last three days in the fridge. After that, they turn soggy and their ability to reheat—and taste delicious—nearly depleted.
Can you make oven fries ahead of time?
The best way to ensure you have crispy oven fries is to cut and prepare the potatoes (cutting and seasoning) ahead of time but don’t bake them just yet.
How do you reheat oven fries?
Reheating these in the microwave isn’t going to make them taste delicious. The best method is to bake them in the oven at 350° for 10 minutes or use an air fryer.
Oven Fries Tips
How do you make oven fries crispy?
Oil and high heat are the keys to making crispy baked french fries. That combination locks in the moisture and gives you fries that have a crispy exterior and a creamy interior. We recommend using Yukon Gold potatoes for their tender and creamy texture. (Here are other ways to use Yukon Gold potatoes.)
Are baked french fries healthy?
If you’re trying to be health-conscious, baking fries is better than deep-frying them because you can control the salt and fat amounts to make them work for your diet. Skip the salt and add more herbs and spices for a lower-sodium version. If you want fries that are more nutritious, try making these Baked Sweet Potato Fries.
What are some good meat and fish dishes to serve with oven fries?
You can’t beat the steak frites (steak and fries) combo or even fish and chips (fried fish with fries). Try our steak frites recipe to nail this French-bistro classic or oven-fried fish & chips recipe for the maximum health benefits.
Oven Fries
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
40 min
Yield
4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 medium potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2-1/2 teaspoons paprika
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Directions
- Preheat oven to 400°. Cut each potato into 12 wedges. In a large bowl, combine oil, paprika, salt and garlic powder. Add potatoes; toss to coat.
- Transfer to a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake until tender, 40-45 minutes, turning once.
Nutrition Facts
12 pieces: 200 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 457mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 5g fiber), 5g protein.
I jazz up these baked french fries with paprika and garlic powder. Something about the combination of spices packs a punch. The leftovers are even good cold! —Heather Byers, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Recipe Creator
