If you are seeking a healthier version of fries this guide is for you. Achieve perfectly crunchy, flavor-packed fries right in your oven. This guide will walk you through every step, from selecting the best potatoes to mastering the baking technique.
Get ready to learn how to bake fries that rival their deep-fried cousins in taste and texture. Say hello to a healthier, equally satisfying version of this beloved snack.
How To Cut Potatoes Into Fries
Choosing the right potatoes gives the best result. Russet potatoes will yield crispier fries since they are loaded with starch, while the Yukon Gold provides a flavor that is somewhat buttery.
Leave the skin on your potatoes for extra fiber and flavor. It makes preparation easier, too. You can peel the potatoes if you want a smooth feel.
Either cut your french fries manually for a more rustic approach, or use a French Fry cutter to speed up the process and ensure they are all uniform. A cutter ensures perfectly even fries, which can contribute to uniform cooking.
Steak fries are the same as regular french fries but are cut thicker. For baked steak fries, you will want to begin with somewhat smaller potatoes. From these potatoes, cut small wedges trying to cut them as uniformly thick as possible between 3/4" and 1".
Steak fries are cooked much like any other fry, except they have to be cooked a lot longer. This is just due to the nature of the cut being thicker, and the need for that outside to still be crispy.
How To Bake Fries In Oven
Only a few ingredients and your crispy homemade baked fries are ready. What you’ll need to do is mentioned below:
Ingredients
4 large Russet potatoes (about 2 pounds)
2-3 tablespoons of oil
Salt as per taste
Seasonings of your choice
Instructions
1. Preheat oven and rinse the potatoes
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). In fact, a higher temperature is necessary for attaining that external crispness. While the oven heats up, you can prepare your potatoes.
Make sure to clean the potatoes properly by washing and, if necessary, cleaning the exterior with a brush. If desired, you can even peel it but having the skin on serves as an added textural bonus with added nutrients as well.
Slice the potatoes to equal size, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick would be ideal. It is better to cut them in relatively small pieces to ensure equal browning on each entry.
Rinse the cut fries in cold water and let sit in the water for half an hour. This step gets rid of extra starch, which contributes to the fries becoming crispier.
After they are done soaking, remove them drain them, and then dry the fries with a kitchen towel. Removing as much moisture as possible is key to achieving crispiness.
Dump the dried potato strips in a large mixing bowl and drizzle 2-3 tablespoons of oil over them. Ensure that each fry is properly coated. The oil assists in the formation of outer crisp skin as the fries bake.
Season the fries by sprinkling regular salt and the seasonings of your desire over the fries after oiling them. This may be garlic powder or garlic salt, paprika, or black pepper, depending on the individual preference.Toss again to distribute the seasonings evenly.
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This stops sticking and makes cleanup easier. Distribute your seasoned fries on the sheet in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap. If needed, use two baking sheets to avoid overcrowding.
Place the baking sheet in the preheating oven. After about 15 minutes, pull out the sheet and, with a spatula, flip each fry. This will help in browning on all sides.
6. Check if it's done
Place the fries back into the oven for the next 10-15 minutes. Be careful with them in the last ten to fifteen minutes to avoid burning. They should be a nice deep golden brown color.
For additional crispy fries, raise the heat of the oven to 450°F/230°C during the last five minutes of the baking process.
Well, baking time mainly depends on some major factors, discussed below:
1. Oven Temperature: The best oven temperature for maximum crisp is 425°F (220°C); you usually bake them for 30-40 minutes overall.
2. Thickness of Fries: Thinner ones take lesser time, whereas thicker ones would require more. Here is the approximation:
Thin-cut (1/4 inch) - 25-30 minutes
Medium-cut (3/8 inch) - 30-35 minutes
Thick-cut (1/2 inch) - 35-40 minutes
3. Fries Soaking: This can extend the baking time of the fries by about 5 minutes because some moisture will be retained in the process.
4. Desired crispiness: More time to bake for crispier fries is about 5-10 minutes; however, beware, as with increased time, there is risk of fries charring.
In the case of the fries, flipping them over at halfway, affrims they cook and get crispy on both sides.
How To Store Fries
Store your leftover fries in a sealed vessel in the fridge. This leftover fries storing method helps to preserve their quality up to 3 days.
Proper storage maintains their texture and flavor to such an extent that you get to enjoy your fries for several meals.
Freezing Fries:
Thus, freezing is the best solution in terms of the lengthy storage. To start, place the fries in one layer on a baking sheet with parchment paper. Simply put this sheet in the freezer until the fries become very hard or even ice cold.
This initial freezing will prevent the fries from clumping together. When frozen, take the fries and pack them in a freezer-safe, air-tight container. Frozen fries can be stored for 3 months in the freezer making it easier when the next meal will be prepared using the fries.
Reheating oven-baked fries is simple and can be done through several different procedures. Each reheating method will give you certain results; therefore, it is all about your wishes and time that you are ready to invest.
1. Stovetop Reheating:
Reduce the heat to medium and place a tablespoon to two of oil in non-stick pan. Place your fries in the pan and heat them for two minutes and half while occasionally allowing the fries to turn in the pan.
This method helps restore crispness and gives you control over the reheating process.
2. Oven Reheating:
Heat up your oven to a temperature of 400°F (200°C). Lay each fry in a layer on a baking dish lined with foil. This arrangement makes the heating process to be even.
Bake for about 5-10 minutes or until it starts to look done to your preference. The oven method is probably the most effective at bringing back the crispiness of the fries.
3. Microwave Reheating:
While less ideal due to potential sogginess, microwaving offers a quick solution. Microwave your fries for about 20-40 seconds. This method works best when you're short on time, but be aware that it may affect fries' texture.
What To Serve With Fries
Fries complement a wide variety of dishes, offering a versatile side option for many meals. They serve as an excellent alternative to mashed potatoes, especially for dishes featuring gravy.
Fries also pair wonderfully with sandwiches and burgers, enhancing the overall dining experience. Consider these delicious pairings:
Mushroom Salisbury Steak: Replace the starchy mashed potato with crispy fries so that there is a good balance between the soft and crispy gravy.
Meatball Subs: The crispy fries also make a good backup to the soft bread and juicy meatballs which are perfect.
Dr. Pepper Crock Pot Pulled Pork: This makes the sweetness of the pork quite a good match for the salty crispiness of the fries.
Barbecue Ribs: Oven-baked ribs team well with fries, offering a balance to the rich, smoky flavors of the meat.
Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes: Fries give them crunch which balances well with juicy saucy meat stuffings.
