Crispy Oven Baked Fries (Printable)
Golden, crispy fries baked in the oven with simple seasonings and less oil for a satisfying crunch.
# What You'll Need:
→ Potatoes
01 - 2 lbs russet potatoes
→ Soaking and Seasoning
02 - 4 cups cold water
03 - 1 tsp sea salt (plus extra for seasoning)
04 - 2 tbsp olive oil
05 - ½ tsp ground black pepper
06 - ½ tsp garlic powder (optional)
07 - ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Set oven temperature to 425°F and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - Peel potatoes if desired, then slice into uniform sticks about ⅜ inch thick.
03 - Place cut potatoes in a large bowl, cover with cold water, add 1 tsp sea salt, and soak for 30 minutes to remove excess starch.
04 - Drain and rinse soaked potatoes, then pat completely dry with a clean kitchen towel to ensure crispiness.
05 - Toss the dried potatoes with olive oil, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika until evenly coated.
06 - Spread fries in a single layer on the prepared sheets, avoiding overlap for even baking.
07 - Bake for 20 minutes, flip fries carefully using a spatula, rotate trays if using two, then continue baking for an additional 12-15 minutes until golden and crisp.
08 - Immediately season with extra salt if desired, then serve hot.
# Cooking Tips:
01 -
- It gives you that perfect crisp without the hassle of deep frying, which feels like you discovered a secret shortcut in the kitchen
- The light seasoning means you can easily customize the flavor to whatever mood strikes you
02 -
- The soaking step isn't just a suggestion; skipping it makes fries soggy instead of crispy, something I learned the hard way
- Drying the fries thoroughly changed my results completely — don't rush this step
03 -
- Using parchment paper instead of foil prevents sticking but also helps fries crisp evenly on all sides
- Flipping the fries gently with a spatula respects their delicate texture and keeps them intact