Crispy on the outside, soft and creamy on the inside, Crispy Oven Fries are easy to make. Whip up a few dipping sauces like honey mustard, Ranch Dressing with Yogurt or Bourbon BBQ Sauce to take these Oven Baked French Fries over the top! This recipe is vegetarian, vegan and gluten free.

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French Fry Comfort Food

I used to work at a burger joint when I was in high school. The cooks’ method of preparing french fries included soaking fry cut, with skins on, potatoes in big vats of water. They’d soak for hours, drain the fries, then fry upon order. These fries were sublime and made a crave-worthy snack after a late night shift. Crisp on the outside, creamy on the inside, just what you want a fry to be.

Now, I’m a fan of thick cut and fried french fries, but frying at home just isn’t going to happen. So I learned how to make french fries in the oven. With Oven Baked Fries, there’s no need to fry anyway.

The Key to Perfect Crispy Oven Fries

The key to crispy oven fries lies in the type of potato used and preparation method employed. For a creamy interior and crispy exterior use the right types of potatoes (non waxy) and soak the potatoes to remove some of the starch. To speed this process along, par boil the fry cut potatoes, drain, then allow the water to steam off. Patting the fries dry ensures the oil will stick to the potatoes and produce a nice crispy exterior.

What Is Par Boiling?

Par boiling is a process used to pre-cook food partially so that cook time is later reduced. Also, and in this case, so that the interior and exterior of the potatoes cook evenly at a high temperature.

Par boiling, as opposed to a long cold soak, speeds the preparation process along in this recipe.

What Is the Best Potato for This Recipe?

There are several varieties of potatoes for Baked Oven Fries you can use. My favorites for this recipe are Russet, Yukon Gold and Maris Piper. Because of their high starch content, they tend to have a fluffier interior after cooking than waxier potatoes.

What Oil to Use for Oven Baked French Fries?

Concerned about smoke point, I tested two different oils for this recipe: extra virgin olive oil and melted virgin coconut oil. I like both and nether reached their smoke point at the baking temperature 450F. For the coconut oil, I couldn’t detect its coconut flavor.

Quick Guide: How to Make Crispy Oven Fries

Pure comfort food and so simple to make, Crispy Oven Fries are the perfect companion to to Black Bean Walnut Burgers, BBQ Chickpea Burgers, and Pulled Portobello BBQ Sandwiches, but also they’re fabulous as a snack. In summary, here’s how to do it (see recipe card for details):

First, slice the potatoes into 1/4″ (ish) batons.
Second, place the potatoes in a large Dutch oven or stock pot and cover in water by an inch. Add a good pinch of salt.
Third, bring the water just to a boil, remove from heat and soak for 8-9 minutes. Drain. Allow potatoes to set, to steam off for five minutes. Pat the potatoes dry.
Fourth, transfer potatoes to sheet pans, toss with oil.
Last, bake.

Season the Baked Oven Fries with a mixture of sea salt and smoked paprika hot out of the oven. Enjoy ASAP with fry sauce du jour, as their crispness fades as they cool.

A Few Recipe Tips

This recipe is for four servings, about four small potatoes will do (one potato per person). The recipe is easily halved for two servings.
For optimum crispy, give the potatoes plenty of room to bake. Make sure the potatoes do not overlap or touch on the pans.
I’ve included several fry sauces in the recipe, however a good Smoky BBQ Sauce, Creamy Guacamole with Sour Cream and Yogurt Ranch Dressing makes a fabulous dip as well.
Oven fries are best enjoyed straight from the oven as their crispness fades as they cool. Reheating makes them tough.
The fry sauces can be made at least a week ahead. Store in lidded containers in the refrigerator.

Recipes to Share with Oven Baked French Fries

Crispy Oven Fries on a pan with two dipping sauces.

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