These golden oven-baked fries have a crispy outside and a soft, fluffy inside. They will satisfy your french fry cravings. Seasoned to perfection and baked until golden brown, these homemade fries are the perfect side dish for almost any meal!
The full recipe with ingredients/instructions is available on the recipe card at the bottom of the post. Important tips/tricks are also included in the blog post.
I have a ton of comfort foods, and French fries are one of them. Whether deep-fried or air-fried, I like them all.
I’m excited about these oven baked fries because they get so crispy with that perfect golden crust on the outside while staying soft and fluffy inside. The cornstarch slurry trick allows the fries to get super crispy in the oven without the powdery flavor.
If you're like me and love a good dip for your fries, you’ll want to check out my spicy mayonnaise!
What Makes These Oven Fries So Crispy?
The secret to crispy oven fries is all about a few techniques:
- Soaking the potatoes in hot water releases excess starch which helps them crisp up better. You could also soak them in cold water for 1 hour if you prefer that method.
- Drying the potatoes thoroughly after soaking prevents them from steaming in the oven.
- The cornstarch slurry creates a thin coating that becomes crispy when baked.
- Proper spacing on the baking sheet allows for air to circulate around each fry.
- Flipping halfway ensures they brown evenly on both sides.
Ingredients
- Russet potatoes - Their high starch content makes them perfect for crispy fries
- Cornstarch - The secret to a crispy exterior without deep frying
- Cold water - For the cornstarch slurry
- Vegetable oil - For that golden exterior
- Salt - Enhances all the flavors. You could also use my favorite french fry seasoning.
Tools
- Sharp knife or french fry cutter
- Large bowl
- Small bowl for slurry
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Clean kitchen towels or paper towels
- Spatula for flipping
How to Make Oven Baked Fries
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease it. Wash and peel the potatoes if desired, then cut them into ¼-inch thick sticks.
Place the potato sticks in a large bowl and cover them completely with hot tap water. Let them soak for 10 minutes, then drain and pat them completely dry with a clean towel.
TIP: Cutting your fries to an even thickness ensures they’ll cook at the same rate. Aim for ¼-inch thickness for the perfect balance of crispy outside and fluffy inside.
Step 2: Whisk together the cornstarch and water in a separate bowl to make a slurry. Add the dried potato sticks to a large bowl and toss with cornstarch slurry to coat evenly. Drizzle vegetable oil over the coated potatoes and mix well to distribute evenly.
Step 3: Spread the fries in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, making sure they don’t touch. Bake for 20 minutes, then remove from the oven and flip each fry. Bake for another 15-20 minutes or until golden and crispy.
TIP: Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet! If necessary, use two baking sheets to ensure the fries crisp up rather than steam.
Step 4: Immediately after removing from the oven, sprinkle with salt or your favorite seasoning. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
Customize to Your Taste
- Garlic Parmesan Fries: Toss with minced garlic and grated Parmesan cheese during the last five minutes of baking.
- Spicy Fries: Add cayenne pepper or chili powder to your seasoning mix.
- Herb Fries: Sprinkle with fresh rosemary, thyme, or dill after baking.
- Loaded Fries: Top with cheese during the last 5 minutes of baking, add bacon bits and green onions after baking.
What to Serve with Oven Baked Fries
These crispy oven baked fries go well with:
- Juicy homemade burgers
- Grilled chicken sandwiches
- Crispy chicken tenders
- Your favorite dipping sauces (ketchup, aioli, or spicy mayo)
How to Store Leftover Fries
Allow the fries to cool completely, and then store any leftover homemade fries in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them on a baking sheet in a 400°F oven for about 5-10 minutes until heated through and crispy again. Don’t use the microwave as it will make them soft.
Make-Ahead Tip: You can prep these fries up to 8 hours ahead! Cut the potatoes, soak them in cold water, and refrigerate them until ready to bake. Just make sure to dry them thoroughly before continuing with the recipe. Perfect for when you're entertaining!
Can You Freeze Oven Baked Fries?
You can freeze these fries before or after baking:
- Before baking: Complete steps through the cornstarch slurry coating, then freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding about 5-10 minutes to the cooking time.
- After baking: Let them cool completely, then freeze in a single layer. Reheat from frozen in a 425°F oven until crispy again, about 10-15 minutes.
Tanya’s Top Tips
- Choose the right potato: Russet potatoes work best because of their high starch content and low moisture
- Cut evenly: Try to make all your fries the same size for even cooking
- Season while hot: Salt and seasonings stick better to hot fries right out of the oven
- Serve immediately: These fries are at their best when freshly made
I hope you love these fries as much as we do. Looking for more fry recipes? Try these out:
If you have tried this or any other recipe on my blog, please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
Oven Baked Fries
Ingredients
- 2 large russet potatoes cut into ¼-inch sticks
- Hot tap water enough to fully cover potatoes for soaking
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water for the slurry
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Place the cut potato sticks in a large bowl and cover with hot water. Let them soak for 10 minutes, then drain and dry them thoroughly with a clean towel.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Add the dried potato sticks to a large bowl and toss with cornstarch slurry to coat evenly.
- Drizzle the vegetable oil over the potatoes and mix well.
- Spread the fries in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, not overlapping. Bake for 20 minutes, then remove and flip each fry.
- Return to the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes or until golden.
- Sprinkle with salt or your favorite seasonings immediately after removing from the oven. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
Linda says
The fries were crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, they were so good. I'll definitely make them again.
Tanya says
Thanks so much, Linda! So happy you liked the crispy oven-baked fries.