The Ultimate Guide to Making Crispy French Fries in the Oven

Who doesn’t love a plate of crispy, golden-brown french fries? They’re the perfect comfort food that we can’t seem to get enough of. However, it’s not always easy to achieve that classic crispy texture at home. While frying in oil is the traditional way to make french fries, it can be a bit of a hassle and quite unhealthy. But fear not, cooking them in the oven is an easy and healthy alternative. Here’s how to make crispy french fries in the oven without any hassle.

Firstly, choose your potatoes wisely. Russet potatoes are the best option for making crispy fries due to their high starch content. Peel and slice them into thin, even strips. Soak them in cold water for at least 30 minutes to remove excess starch. This will ensure that the fries are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Drain and pat dry the potatoes before seasoning them with salt, pepper, and any other seasoning of your choice. Finally, oil them lightly and spread them out on a baking tray, making sure they don’t overlap. Baking at a high temperature of 425°F for around 25-30 minutes will give you perfectly crispy fries. Enjoy them plain or with your favorite dipping sauce.

Ingredients needed for making crispy french fries in the oven

Before we jump into the process of making crispy french fries in the oven, let’s take a look at the ingredients you will need to achieve that perfect texture and flavor.

Potatoes

The most important ingredient for french fries is, of course, the potatoes. Choose high-quality potatoes that are suitable for frying. Russet potatoes are the most commonly used potatoes for making french fries because they are starchy and make for a crispy texture.

Cornstarch

Cornstarch is used to coat the potatoes before baking to give them an extra crunch. It acts as a barrier between the moisture in the potatoes and the dry heat from the oven to create crispy French fries.

Salt

Salt is essential for seasoning the French fries. You can use any kind of salt you like, but sea salt or kosher salt is the best choice for taste and texture.

Vegetable oil

Vegetable oil is used for frying and gives the French fries a crispy exterior. Choose an oil that has a high smoke point like canola oil or peanut oil.

Black Pepper

Black pepper is optional, but it adds a nice touch to the flavor of your crispy French fries.

Garlic Powder

Garlic powder is also optional but adds an incredible taste and aroma that compliments your French fries. You could also use chopped garlic gloves instead of garlic powder.

Paprika

Paprika is also optional, but it adds a pop of color to your crispy French fries. Paprika also has a slight smoky flavor that enhances the taste of your fries.

Chilli Powder

Chilli powder is a great alternative to the above-mentioned spices. It gives your French fries a unique and spicy edge.

Garnishes

While optional, adding garnishes such as parsley or rosemary adds a nice touch to the presentation and taste of your French fries.

Baking Sheet

You need a baking sheet, preferably non-stick, to make sure your crispy French fries don’t stick to the pan.

Section 2: Preparing the Potatoes

Once you have gathered the necessary supplies for making crispy French fries in the oven, the next step is to prepare the potatoes. Many people think that making French fries is as simple as chopping a potato and putting it into the oven. However, there are a few key steps to follow to make sure that your fries come out crispy and delicious.

1. Selecting the right type of potatoes: The type of potatoes you choose will have a big impact on the final outcome of your fries. Russet or Idaho potatoes are the best options as they have a high starch content. Other types of potatoes won’t give you the same crispy result as these two options.

2. Preparing the potatoes: After selecting the right type of potatoes, the next step is to prepare them. Wash and scrub the potatoes thoroughly to remove any dirt and then cut them into thin fries. You can either use a mandoline to achieve thin fries, or do it by hand. Just make sure that all pieces are roughly the same size to ensure an equal cooking time.

3. Soaking the potatoes: Soaking the potatoes is an important step that you definitely don’t want to skip. Soaking removes excess starch that can cause the fries to stick together and become limp. You can soak the potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes, but for best results, soak them for a minimum of 2 hours, or even overnight. This will make your fries extra crispy.

4. Drying the potatoes: After soaking, it’s important to dry the potatoes properly. Use a paper towel or clean kitchen towel to pat them dry. Any excess water will cause the fries to steam rather than fry, which won’t result in a crispy texture.

5. Adding seasoning: While French fries are delicious when seasoned with just salt, why not try to take it up a notch? You can add any seasoning of your choice to the fries before putting them into the oven. Some popular options include garlic powder, black pepper, paprika, or even grated Parmesan cheese! Sprinkle the seasoning over the fries and mix well so that all fries are evenly coated.

In summary, the key to making crispy French fries in the oven is all in the preparation. By selecting the right type of potatoes, properly soaking and drying them, and adding seasoning, you’ll be on your way to delicious and crispy fries in no time.

Five essential steps to making crispy french fries in the oven

While it may seem like an easy task to make crispy french fries in the oven, there are a few essential steps to follow to ensure success. From choosing the right potato to mastering the cooking technique, these tips will help you create restaurant-quality fries at home.

Step 1: Choose potatoes wisely

The first step in making crispy french fries in the oven is choosing the right potatoes. Russet potatoes are the best option for french fries due to their high starch content and low moisture level. When selecting potatoes, look for ones that are firm and free from blemishes or sprouts. Scrub the potatoes thoroughly, and then peel them if desired. Cut the potatoes into thin, even strips using a sharp knife or a mandolin slicer.

Step 2: Soak the potatoes in water

After cutting the potatoes, place them in a large bowl of cold water and let them soak for at least 30 minutes. This step removes excess starch and helps the potatoes cook evenly. After soaking, drain the potatoes and use a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to pat them dry.

Step 3: Preheat the oven and baking sheet

While the potatoes are soaking, preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C) and place a baking sheet in the oven to heat up. Heating up the baking sheet in advance will help crisp up the fries evenly. Make sure that the baking sheet is large enough to hold the potatoes in a single layer.

Step 4: Toss the potatoes in oil and seasoning

In a large bowl, toss the potatoes with a tablespoon or two of vegetable or olive oil to coat them evenly. You can also add seasonings such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, or paprika at this stage to add flavor. Make sure that the fries are well-coated in oil and seasonings.

Step 5: Bake the fries in the oven

Remove the hot baking sheet from the oven and spread the potatoes in a single layer. Make sure that there is enough space between each fry to allow even cooking. Bake the fries for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Flip the fries once halfway through the cooking time to ensure they cook evenly on both sides. Once the fries are done, remove them from the oven and season with additional salt or seasoning if desired.

Follow these essential steps, and you’ll be well on your way to making perfectly crispy french fries in the oven. Serve them hot with your favorite dipping sauce, and enjoy!

Voila! You can now make perfect crispy oven-baked French fries!

Thanks for reading our guide on how to make crispy French fries in the oven. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. Remember that getting the perfect French fries might take a few tries, but don’t give up, practice makes perfect. Now go ahead and try our recipe, and don’t forget to let us know how it turned out. If you’re looking for more delicious easy recipes, make sure to visit us again. Happy cooking!