Baked French Fries {Healthy and Crispy!} – WellPlated.com

BREAKING NEWS. You can make Homemade Fries in the oven! After slicing, baking, and salting more potatoes than I care to count, I have for you a foolproof method for how to make French fries crispy in the oven.

No more compromising texture for the sake of making baked French fries healthy.

Pull out the spuds and get your dip ready!

While I’m no stranger to oven fries, up until now I hadn’t found a from-scratch recipe that I considered a legitimate alternative to the real-deal, deep-fried French fries you’d find at a restaurant.

Most baked fries I made at home became soggy quickly after emerging from the oven, a problem I assumed was unavoidable…and that I easily mitigated by smothering the fries in all manners of cheesy deliciousness (reference: Mexican Chicken Enchilada Fries; Chicken Bacon Ranch Fries).

Or, if the oven baked fries were crispy on the outside, the tradeoff was that the insides would be dry and caky. No thank you.

Still, other methods for homemade oven fries, while effective, were too fussy.

I’ve read all about the crispy oven fries cornstarch trick (an extra step in which the cut potatoes are carefully tossed in cornstarch prior to baking), but after trying it once, I decided that it was too much of a hassle and too messy to be worth it.

I wanted crispy baked fries that were golden on the outside and tender on the inside, all for a minimum amount of effort. Goldilocks much?

These five-star baked French fries exceeded all my wildest dreams, and I’ll never make them any other way.

How To Make Homemade French Fries

Learning how to make French fries from potatoes is an important life skill that you’ll be happy to have in your arsenal.

After extensive experimentation with different varieties of potatoes, baking times and temps, and seasonings, today’s easy homemade fries are the BEST of them all!

My homemade French fry secrets come down to four basic tips:

1. Use Yukon gold potatoes.
2. Soak the potatoes prior to making fries.
3. Don’t skimp on the oil.
4. Season, season, season.

Use Yukon Gold Potatoes

• I tested baked fries with both russet potatoes and Yukon gold potatoes, and while both do work, I preferred the final texture of the baked fries made with Yukon golds.
• While both potato varieties crisped nicely on the outsides, I found the insides of the russets to be drier, while the oven fries made with the Yukon golds were more tender and creamy.
• You may also see Yukon gold potatoes labeled simply “gold” or “yellow” potatoes at the grocery store.
• A potato labeled “Idaho” typically refers to russet.

Soak the Potatoes Prior to Cooking

I tested all of the popular cooking methods to making oven fries, and the one that yielded the best results with the least amount of effort was soaking the potatoes in water prior to baking them.

• If you’ve ever had double-fried French fries (HEAVEN. It’s how the Pioneer Woman does hers. Could there be a better endorsement?), the concept is the same. Cooking the fries once at a lower temperature than again at a higher temperature creates the ultimate inner and outer texture, whether the fries are deep fried or oven baked.
• While the potatoes soak in very hot water, they cook just enough to ensure the insides become nice and tender, while the outsides crisp but do not burn. (I bake my fries at 450 degrees F; I found oven fries at 475 degrees burned before they were finished.)
• Some recipes may call for you to soak the potatoes in salt water instead. When you soak potatoes in salt water, the moisture from inside the potato is pulled out, resulting in a mushy, unappealing result. Stick with unsalted water for the best baked French fries.

Don’t Skimp on the Oil

• To make crispy French fries from scratch you need oil to help the potatoes crisp up in the oven and give them a hint of that familiar French fry flavor. For this recipe, I use a basic, extra-virgin olive oil.
• I don’t have a recommended method for making French fries in the oven without oil, but you can use grapeseed oil or canola oil instead of olive oil.

Season, Season, Season

A critical component to perfect baked fries is seasoning.

• Basic salt and pepper will do, but feel free to vary it up.
• I spent my entire life dipping my fries in ranch dressing, so for this recipe I used a blend of spices inspired by ranch flavors. Dill weed, combined with garlic powder, onion powder, and salt give the fries a zesty, herby flavor that makes them impossibly addictive. Feel free to experiment with your favorite spices to find your perfect French fry flavor or keep it classic.
• Season both before the potatoes go into the oven, then after they come out to taste. An under seasoned potato is a bland potato, even in fry form.

Recipe Step Overview

1. Coat a baking sheet with olive oil to protect against potato stick-age.
2. Clean your potatoes (I leave the peels on) and slice them into 1/4-inch-wide sticks.
3. Soak the potatoes in hot water. (Remember, this step is worth it!)
4. Drain and dry the potatoes with a paper towel or kitchen towel. Toss them with the remaining oil and spices until coated, then place them on the baking sheet in a single layer.
5. Bake at 450 degrees F for 15 to 20 minutes. Use a spatula to flip the fries, and move them into a single layer. Bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until the exterior is golden brown and as crispy as you like. Sprinkle with some extra salt to taste. DIG IN!

Are Baked Fries Healthy?

I wanted to address this question, because I feel like there has been a good amount of potato shaming in recent years. In moderation and with the right cooking method, the answer is YES baked fries are healthy!

• While white potatoes often receive a bad reputation, much of that has to do with how we typically prepare potatoes (ahem, deep fried instead of baked), as well as the quantity in which we eat them.
• Potatoes contain fiber, potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin B6. All good things our bodies need!

Baked French fries are not bad for you, especially when compared with traditional French fries. In the battle of baked fries vs fried fries, baked fries win every single time.

Here’s why healthy baked French fries are better for you than fried:

• Less Oil. During frying, French fries soak up excess oil, making them greasy. The baking method used in this recipe allows you to control the amount of oil and use far, far less.
• Less Fat and Calories. Because of the decreased amount of oil, baked French fries calories and fat are lower than their fried counterparts.

Another healthy cooking method is grilling potatoes. See it in action with my favorite Grilled Sweet Potato Fries.

How to Make Your Fries Crispy Again

• In the unlikely event of leftovers, you can reheat the baked fries by preheating your oven to 400 degrees and placing an empty baking sheet in the oven while the oven preheats.
• Spread the leftover fries in a single layer on the hot pan, then pop the pan into the preheated oven for 5 to 8 minutes. Watch the fries carefully the last few minutes to make sure they do not burn.
• If you’ve ever reheated French fries from a restaurant, you know nothing replaces the just-cooked taste (the fries will dry out a bit), but they did at least perk up somewhat.

Refrigerator and Freezer Storage Tips

• To Refrigerate. Place leftover fries in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat using the method for How to Make Your Fries Crispy Again above.
• To Freeze. Spread the fries in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and place them in the freezer until solid. Transfer the frozen fries to an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen as directed above, adding about 3 or so extra minutes to the cooking time. How long you bake frozen French fries can vary, so keep an eye on them.

Recipe Variations

• Parmesan Baked Fries. A delicious recipe option is to toss the finished baked fries with a few tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese just before serving.
• Chili Fries. Season the fries with chili powder and a pinch of cumin.
• Oven Baked Steak Fries. If you are looking for baked steak fries, I’d suggest the fries from this Baked Fish and Chips recipe, as the method and cooking time/temps below are more suitable for thinner, quick homemade French fries.
• To Make Vegan. This recipe is vegan as written (as long as the optional Parmesan isn’t added; try swapping it for nutritional yeast if you like).
• To Make Dairy Free. Omit the optional Parmesan topping or use nutritional yeast, which has a similar “cheesy” flavor.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

• Rimmed Baking Sheets. With these in your kitchen, you’ll be ready for baked fries anytime.
• Non-Slip Cutting Board. My favorite cutting board. It won’t slip away from you while you’re cutting the potatoes.
• Mixing Bowls. Stackable and easy to store.

If you try this recipe for ranch-inspired crispy baked fries, I’d love to hear what you think. Your comments mean so much to me!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Do I Have to Soak the Potatoes?

Soaking the potatoes removes their starch, which is critical to allowing them to crisp in the oven. I prefer a hot water soak over cold water for the “double fry” effect.

Can I Use Russet Potatoes?

If you prefer to use russet potatoes, you can certainly swap them here. Note that the fries will be a little drier and less buttery than fries made with Yukon gold potatoes.

Can I Air Fry This Recipe?

Absolutely! See my Air Fryer French Fries for a recipe. Note that you will need to cook the fries in more batches.

• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil divided
• 1 1/2 pounds golden yellow potatoes Yukon Gold or similar, about 4
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt plus additional to taste
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dill weed
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• Toppings (optional) fresh parsley, chives, freshly grated Parmesan cheese (or nutritional yeast)

• Place a rack in the lower third of your oven and preheat to 450 degrees F. Drizzle a large rimmed baking sheet with 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, brushing it as needed so that it nicely coats the pan.

• Scrub the potatoes and peel if desired (I leave the peels on). Slice into 1/4-inch-wide sticks. Place the potatoes in a large bowl, then pour very hot tap water over the top so that it covers the potatoes by at least 1 inch. Let sit 10 minutes.

• Drain the potatoes, then transfer them to a clean towel and dry as completely as you can, changing the towel as needed. Rinse and wipe out the bowl you soaked the potatoes in, then return the potatoes to the bowl. Drizzle with the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil and sprinkle with salt, garlic powder, dill weed, onion powder, and pepper. Toss to coat, making sure the spices and oil are well distributed. Spread the potatoes into a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.

• Roast in the lower third of the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, until turning golden underneath. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and, with a large, firm spatula, carefully loosen the fries from the bottom of the pan. Flip them in large sections as best as you can so that the potatoes rotate and brown evenly on all sides (no need to painstakingly flip every single one). With your fingers (be careful—the pan is hot!) return the potatoes to a single layer. Place the pan back in the oven and continue baking until the fries are as golden and crisp as you like, about 5 to 10 additional minutes (30 minutes total was ideal timing for this crispy-fry lover).  While the fries are hot, sprinkle with any desired toppings and a bit more salt to taste. DEVOUR.

• You can swap russet (standard baking) potatoes for the Yukon golds (no changes to the recipe needed), but I found that the Yukon golds gave me the best oven fry texture overall. The insides were creamier, while the outsides became nice and crisp.
• TO STORE: Place leftover fries in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• TO REHEAT: In the unlikely event of leftovers, you can reheat the baked fries by preheating your oven to 400 degrees and placing an empty baking sheet in the oven while the oven preheats. Spread the leftover fries in a single layer on the hot pan, then pop the pan into the preheated oven for 5 to 8 minutes. Watch the fries carefully the last few minutes to make sure they do not burn.
• If you’ve ever reheated French fries from a restaurant, you know nothing replaces the just-cooked taste (the fries will dry out a bit), but they did at least perk up somewhat.

Serving: 1(of 4)Calories: 227kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 4gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 1gPotassium: 725mgFiber: 4gSugar: 1gVitamin C: 34mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg

Join today and start saving your favorite recipes

Create an account to easily save your favorite recipes and access FREE meal plans.

Sign Me Up

Share this Article

FacebookPinEmail

You May Also Like

Free Email Series

Sign Up for FREE Weekly Meal Plans

Each includes a grocery list, budget, and 5 healthy dinners, helping you save time, save money, and live better!

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

First Name *

Email Address *

Erin Clarke

Hi, I’m Erin Clarke, and I’m fearlessly dedicated to making healthy food that’s affordable, easy-to-make, and best of all DELISH. I’m the author and recipe developer here at wellplated.com and of The Well Plated Cookbook. I adore both sweets and veggies, and I am on a mission to save you time and dishes. WELCOME!

Learn more about Erin

No-Soak Homemade Oven Baked French Fries

May 7, 2019 |

Last updated on May 26, 2023

A Baked French Fries Recipe that is so easy to make! Learn how to make homemade fries that are oven baked, healthy, crispy and delicious.

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Click here to read my policy and about affiliate links.

Healthy Oven Baked French Fries

Is there anything better than biting into a perfectly crispy, slightly salty, warm french fry? Honestly, I don’t think so!

These Crispy Baked French Fries are seriously delicious and have the perfect amount of crunch!

These baked french fries go well with just about anything and are far better for you than deep fried fries.  Regardless of what you serve them with, these Best Baked French Fries are going to be a hit!

Fries get a pretty bad reputation because of fast food. A lot of people think that they have to be unhealthy, when in reality – potatoes aren’t the enemy!

When you bake potatoes with heart healthy oils and go light on the salt… they actually aren’t as bad for you as many people think.

Ingredients for Oven Baked Fries

In order to make baked french fries you’ll need:

• russet potatoes
• Olive Oil
• Salt and Pepper

That’s it! We recommend having a good baking sheet and parchment paper for maximum crispiness.

You can find substitutions for all of these ingredients below in the green shaded box.  

How to cut French Fries

You don’t need a fancy fry cutter to cut french fries. To cut potatoes into fries, follow these steps:

1. Slice potatoes into thin slabs (see step 2).
2. Slice slabs into 1/4 inch thick sticks.

You now have perfect french fry shapes!

Once you have your potatoes cut – you’re good to go!

How to Make Homemade Oven Baked French Fries

To make baked french fries:

1. Toss potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
2. Lay sliced potatoes on a parchment lined baking sheet.
3. Place in the oven + bake!

And that’s how it’s done! Super simple, delicious fries that are perfect as a side with pretty much anything. They’re crispy, just the right amount of salty, golden brown, and so yummy!

Substitutions for Homemade Fries

This is a pretty straight forward recipe but there are a few substitutions you can make. 

Peeled-We like to leave the skins on our russet potatoes because we like them/that’s where most of the nutrients are – but feel free to peel yours if you’d prefer them without the skin!

Oil – You can use avocado, coconut or vegetable oil for these fries. Any oil will work, but avocado or olive is best!

Variations for seasonings – You can add any seasonings to these baked french fries. Feel free to skip the salt if you’re following a low sodium diet. Paprika and garlic powder are yummy additions to these fries!

Potatoes – We recommend using russet potatoes for this recipe. They work the best because of their starch content. You can make this recipe with other potatoes, but they will not come out as crispy – especially if you use sweet potatoes.

Can you make these in the air fryer? Yes, you can. I would recommend cutting the oil in half and baking them at 450° for 20 minutes, shaking halfway through. Every air fryer is different though, so I recommend checking your brand for a conversion chart/instructions on how to best cook them!

Storing, Freezing, and Reheating Baked Fries

Storing French Fries: These fries will last in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Reheating French Fries: It’s best to reheat leftover fries in an oven or toaster oven. Heat your oven to 350 and cook for 4-5 minutes until they are warm through and crisp on the outside. We would not recommend microwaving these fries.

Freezing: I would not recommend freezing fries. Potatoes can get funny when you freeze them.

Are potatoes healthy?

Yes! Potatoes actually are high in fiber, and have a good about of nutrients in them including B6, potassium, and phosphorous! (More info about it here)

And did I mention that they just taste really good?  Try to convince me that you wouldn’t want to eat an entire plate of these. LOOK at how crispy they are!

Do you have to soak the potatoes before baking?

No, you do not need to soak potatoes before baking the french fries.

Some recipes call for this.. but it’s not necessary. These fries come out perfectly crispy without having to soak the potatoes ahead of time.

We recommend just making sure they’re all coated evenly with olive oil to ensure they bake properly.

What can you eat these healthy baked french fries with?

These fries go with pretty much anything! We could easily eat a whole tray on our own, but we like to serve them with these recipes too:

• Homemade Turkey Burgers or alongside Lettuce Wrap Burgers
• Burger Salad with Dill Pickle Vinaigrette
• Healthy Chicken Tenders
• Sweet Potato Turkey Jalapeno Sliders
• Cashew Coconut Chicken Tenders

Are French Fries Cooked in the Oven Bad for You?

In my opinion, no – french fries are not bad for you if you bake them. They hold on to less oil, making them lower in fat. When you bake french fries, they’re similar to a baked potato.

Do You Need To Flip Fries In The Oven? 

Yes, you do need to flip fries in the oven. Flipping fries in the oven helps to ensure that all sides are extra crispy!

How Do I Make Crisp Fries in the Oven? 

To crisp french fries in the oven, you can broil them when finished cooking for 1-2 minutes. this will help them get really crisp. This recipe always results in crispy french fries though so you shouldn’t need to do that!

Healthy Home Made Baked French Fries

4.62 from 26 votes

A Baked French Fries Recipe that is so easy to make! Learn how to make homemade fries that are oven baked, healthy, crispy and delicious.

WW Freestyle Points 5

Prep Time : 2 minutes minutes

Cook Time : 45 minutes minutes

Total Time : 47 minutes minutes

Serves : 4 people – about 1 cup of fries

(hover over # to adjust)

PRINT

• 2 lbs russet potatoes cut into french fry shapes. about 5 medium potatoes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. While oven is heating, cut potatoes into fry shapes, approximately 1/4 inch thick.

• Add cut potatoes, olive oil, salt + pepper to a large mixing bowl. Toss with a spatula to cover all of the potatoes evenly with oil + seasoning

• Place potatoes on a parchment lined baking sheet

• Bake at 450 for 25 minutes, flip + bake for an additional 15 minutes until all fries are golden brown.

• Depending on oven, you can broil the fries for an extra minute at the end to make them extra crispy

Nutrition Facts

Healthy Home Made Baked French Fries

Amount Per Serving (6 oz (estimated) or about 1 cup))

Calories 241
Calories from Fat 63

% Daily Value*

Fat 7g11%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 5g

Sodium 302mg13%

Potassium 948mg27%

Carbohydrates 41g14%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 5g10%

Vitamin A 3IU0%

Vitamin C 13mg16%

Calcium 30mg3%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. This is an estimate and can vary pending your ingredients

Tried this recipe?Share it! Make sure to tag @thecleaneatingcouple or use #thecleaneatingcouple!

Fried potatoes – calories, useful properties, benefits and harms, description

Calories, kcal:

192

Proteins, g:

2.8

Fats, g:

9.5

Carbohydrates, g:

23.4

The potato is one of the most widely consumed foods worldwide, second only to rice. Fried potatoes are a quick dinner, a time-tested side dish and a favorite dish for kids. Potatoes are fried with the addition of fat (vegetable or animal), so the product has a golden crust, if the potatoes are cut into round thin slices, then the dish turns out to be appetizingly crispy. Traditionally, fried potatoes are eaten immediately, it is not recommended to store and reheat them, and almost all taste qualities are lost.

Calorie content of fried potatoes

Calorie content of fried potatoes is 192 kcal per 100 grams of product.

Composition and useful properties of fried potatoes

Ingredients: potato, fat (vegetable or butter, lard, etc.), salt. Potato is a carbohydrate in its pure form, almost entirely composed of starch, any fat chosen for cooking at a certain temperature produces carcinogenic substances, salt retains fluid in the body. It is impossible to talk seriously about the benefits of fried potatoes, if only the taste of the product is taken into account.

The harm of fried potatoes

The potato itself has a medium glycemic index, which increases significantly during frying. Starch, the content of which is high in the product, when it enters the body, provokes the release of glucose in the blood, which leads to the production of insulin and the formation of fat. Like any simple carbohydrate, potatoes give you a feeling of quick but short-lived satiety. Trans fats, produced by frying any type of fat, contribute to an increased risk of malignant tumors. Salt, which is added to fried potatoes, is the reason for the increase in blood pressure and malfunction of the heart muscle. Fried potatoes are high in calories, so the product is not recommended for those who are trying to keep weight under control. For the digestive system, fried potatoes will become an additional problem, as it causes heaviness and discomfort in the stomach.

Which potatoes are suitable for frying

In order to get an appetizing dish with a golden crust, and not an unintelligible porridge with a hint of curly cuts, you need to choose the “right” potatoes. The main requirement is that potatoes should keep their shape well, not fall apart during heat treatment (calorizator). That is, to prepare mashed potatoes and fried potatoes, you need to take different potatoes. As a rule, potato varieties are suitable for frying, in which there is less starch, these are tubers with light skin and a white core, hard and dense.

Cooking fried potatoes

Potatoes can be fried in a small amount of fat or deep-fried, the product can be cut in a variety of ways – slices, sticks, slices or thin circles. Before frying potatoes, rinse the slices under cold water (to reduce the starch content) and dry with a paper or regular towel so that there is less moisture in the pan, so the potatoes will fry better and not stick together during cooking.

For more about the benefits and harms of fried potatoes, see the video clip of the TV show “Live Healthy”.

Specially for Calorizator.ru
Copying this article in whole or in part is prohibited.

Fried potatoes harm and benefit

Potato is one of the most popular food products in our country. To the question: What kind of potatoes do you like? , most people will answer that, of course, fried potatoes and french fries. Who will refuse fried potatoes with onions with a golden crust, and even with pickles. Is this food good?

Fried potatoes are harmful

Nutritionists say that these are the most harmful ways of cooking potatoes (frying and deep-frying). They recommend using roasting and boiling potatoes. With such processing methods, useful substances and properties are preserved in the vegetable, such food is not harmful to health. Why are fried potatoes bad?

During frying potatoes in very hot fat, a carcinogen is formed – acrylamide, which affects our nervous system and greatly increases the risk of developing cancerous tumors, gene mutations and infertility. It is better to fry potatoes in vegetable oil, frying in butter is more harmful, and frying in margarine is especially harmful. Homemade fried potatoes are contraindicated in diseases of the liver, kidneys, stomach, high cholesterol.

Potatoes mainly consist of starch, starch is the polysaccharides of amylose and amylopectin, the monomer of which is alpha-glucose, that is, starch is essentially the same glucose. Potatoes are a pure carbohydrate, which is not only a source of energy, but also one of the main reasons for gaining excess weight. This also needs to be remembered.