Typically, French fries are best done in deep hot oil. Or so most people believe. Who’s to be blamed? You’ve probably tried making baked French fries in your oven and only ended up with soggy potatoes that you managed to salvage.
So, how do the restaurants achieve that crispiness with the fries they serve those yummy chicken and gravy? Do they really have to go through the whole deep-frying process?
Well, oven baked French fries may be a bit tricky but not entirely out of reach. The type of potato you use, cooking temperature, and seasoning all make a great difference.
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How Can You Ensure That Baked French Fries Are Crispy?
Your homemade fries can be as crispy as those from the best restaurants if you pay attention to the details in the process. Here’s how.
Soak the Potatoes
Before you bake those potatoes, you need to get the excess starch out of the way. Wash and cut them cut up in long thin slices. Then, immerse them in water and leave to soak for 30 minutes, at the least. Drain out the water and spread out the potatoes.
Dry the Potatoes
If those potatoes are wet when you bake, they’ll steam – as if cooking in water – and tenderize. So, you need to dry them. Put them in a sieve to air and drain out completely. You can use your kitchen towels to pat the cuts and get out the remaining water if you don’t have a lot of time.
Oil the Potatoes and Season them
What seasoning do you want on your potatoes? The choice is yours, except if you’re following a recipe that you find here – which you can also tweak. When your cuts are totally dried, rub them in oil and seasoning and place them on a non-stick surface to sit for a while. The more oil you put, the crispier your baked fries.
Cook at Two Different Temperatures
Just like when you deep fry, oven baked fries come out better when you bake at low and high temperatures. Low temperature allows the fries to cook properly on the inside while high temperature helps with achieving crispy fries.
How to Get Your Potatoes Right
While you can fry any potatoes that you choose, some are better suited for French fries. If the ones you have are waxy, there’s a greater chance that they’ll get soggy while baking. Most potatoes with red skin, fingerlings, and freshly harvested ones are not well suited for French fries.
The best species for baked French fries are Russets or Idaho. They are thick and don’t contain a lot of moisture. Also, their starch content is very high. You can easily bake it with the back if you wish to.
If you have potatoes with high starch content and less moisture, they will be more likely to get your French fries right.
Cutting the Potatoes for Fries
When you have the right potatoes, you have to cut them in the right size. Some people choose to peel before they cut, however, it’s okay to cut your potatoes with the back on. If you have a cutter for French fries, it makes your work easy.
Choosing the Right Flavor to Your Fries
You obviously have a favorite taste you love to get from your fries. When you go experimenting for richer flavors, there are a few tips that will help ensure you don’t go wrong. Here’s what to look out for in a good spice.
Date of Expiry
The date of manufacture will help you determine the date of expiry if it is not indicated on the label or body. Generally, herbs will last about 1 to 3 years while ground spices will stay 2 to 3 years. Seasoning blends can be used for 2 years at most and whole spices will stay 4 years max.
Scent
How strong is the scent the spice brings out? Do you like it? A simple way to know how strong the scent is: crush it between your fingers. If it fills the air, you’re good. Otherwise, change it.
Looks
Every spice has a characteristic color. If you don’t like the color you see in the spice box, chances are you won’t like the finished product. If you’ve had a spice for a while and the color is no longer like what it was when you got it then it’s time to discard it.
Taste
Check for taste and see if it’s something you want to deal with. Sometimes, the taste after cooking may differ from the taste before cooking. For those spices you’ve had for a while, if the taste becomes different from what it is was when you got them, it’s time to say goodbye.
The right spices will produce the full flavor you want from your fries. You don’t want to go through the whole trouble and end up discarding your French Fries because the taste doesn’t fit.
What Else You Should Look Out For
Temperature Difference
In most cases, you’ll have to begin baking your potatoes at 375 degrees F. When the insides are well cooked (usually takes 20 to 25 minutes), you will then turn up your oven temperature to 425 degrees F. The fries will bake at this temperature for another 20 minutes to crisp up.
Thickness of the Cuts
How thick your cut potatoes are will determine how long they’ll take to bake. If they are thin, it’ll bake in no time. In fact, you have to be careful to avoid burning them. If they are thick, you’ll have to wait longer. being thick isn’t exactly foolproof for burning.
Check out these articles…
How to Cook Bacon in the Oven (How Easy Can It Be?)
How To Cook Potatoes In The Oven: 2 Step-by-Step Methods
How to Clean Oven: Simple Steps
How to Cook Steak in the Oven: 5 Easy Ways
How to Cook Chicken Legs in the Oven: 3 Amazing Recipes
How to Bake Chicken Thighs in the Oven: 5 Easy Recipes To Try
Video: How to Make French Fries in Oven
This video shows you, step-by-step, how to make french fries in oven
Tasty Oven Baked Fries
This French fries recipe creates very tasty fries that you and your loved ones will love. The fries are both healthy and easy to make, with minimal ingredients. You’ll find yourself coming back to make it on popular demand.
What You Need
- Idaho Potatoes 4 big ones
- Olive oil 3 tbsp
- Kosher salt 1/2 tbsp
- Black Pepper 1/2 tbsp
Time Estimates
Preparation Time: 40 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
What to Do
Start: Wash your potatoes and cut them into the shape that you desire. You can choose to peel the skin or cut them together. Put them in a big bowl and pour in enough water to cover them. Allow them to sit for 30 minutes, then throw the water away. Place them to dry completely.
Next: Heat up your oven at 375 degrees F. Season your cuts with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Make sure to season the cuts properly.
Finally: Set your cuts on a baking sheet covered with foil. Place them in the oven and allow to bake for approximately 20 minutes. Next, increase the temperature of the oven to 425 degrees F. Bake for 25 minutes or until the fries turn golden.
Your fries are ready. Bring them out and allow to cool slightly then serve with your preferred dish.
Dressed Baked French Fries
You can fix this home French fries perfectly any time you want. The taste is unique and if you have any leftovers, you can always reheat them. The recipe is healthy for everyone in your home.
What You Need
- Golden Yellow Potatoes 4 big ones
- Olive oil 3 tbsp
- Dill Weed 1/2 tsp
- Kosher Salt 1 tsp
- Garlic Powder 1 tsp
- Ground black pepper 1/4 tsp
- Onion Powder 1/4 tsp
Time Estimates
Preparation time 20 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
What to Do
Start: Wash your potatoes properly and cut them into your desired French fries size. If you’re not sure, cut them in long slices that are a quarter-inch wide. Put your cuts in a big bowl and add in hot water from the tap. The water should cover the cuts very well and be hot. Leave the cuts in there for 10 mins. If you are using cold water to soak your cuts, leave them in for 30 mins.
Next: Remove the cuts from the water and place them on a kitchen towel to dry. When they are well dried, remove them and put back in the bowl.
Heat up your oven at 450 degrees. Get your baking sheet, spray it over with olive oil until every part is properly covered and set aside.
Rub the cuts with olive oil, dill weed, garlic powder, onions, salt, and ground pepper. Combine them properly, make sure the cuts are properly seasoned. Then, place them on the baking sheet.
After That: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Use the third level of your oven when baking. The cuts should sit in for approximately 20 minutes. Bring out the sheet and flip the cuts. Use a spatula since the fries would be hot and can burn your fingers.
Replace the sheet in the oven and bake for another 10 minutes, relatively. Your fries are ready when they are crisp and the color is golden. Remove them from the oven and allow to cool only slightly. Serve the way you love it.
Simple Oven Baked French Fries
This crispy fries recipe contains a lot less oil than other French fries. The fries are very tasty, nonetheless, plus they come out very crispy.
What You Need
- Idaho Potatoes 4 big ones
- Canola oil 1/4 cup
- Ground black pepper 1/3 cup
- Sea salt 1/3 cup
Time Estimates
Preparation time 15 mins
Cooking Time 20 mins
What to Do
Start: Wash your potatoes thoroughly and cut them up in long thin slices. You may get as much as 12 slices from each ball when you are done. Put the cuts in a big bowl and throw in some hot water – enough to cover the cuts. Leave the cuts in water for 10 minutes to let out excess starch and soften the inner parts.
Alternatively, soak the cuts in cold water for 30 minutes if you prefer that.
Next: Remove the cuts from the water and keep to drain. Dry them completely with a clean kitchen towel and drizzle with canola oil.
Get out your baking sheet and place a parchment paper over it. Mix your salt, pepper, and oil in a small bowl and spread them over the paper along with 1/4 cup canola oil.
After That: Heat up your oven to 475 degrees with the baking rack in the third layer. Arrange the cuts on the sheet and lay it over with a foil. Place the baking sheet in the hot oven for 5 mins before you take away the foil. Bake the cuts for another 10 minutes, take them out and turn over on the other side. Put them back in the oven for another 10 mins or until the fries become crisp and turn golden.
Your fries are ready. Serve them the way you want.
Garlic Spiced Oven Baked Fries
This recipe does not require you to soak your cuts. You’ll end up with very tasty, crispy French fries in a very short time.
What You Need
- Idaho Potatoes 4 medium-sized ones
- Avocado oil 1/4 cup
- Sea salt A pinch
- Black pepper A pinch
- Minced garlic 3 cloves
- Garlic powder 1 tsp
- Fresh rosemary 2 sprigs
- Cooking spray
Time Estimates
Preparation Time 5 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
What to Do
Start: Wash and cut up your potatoes in long thin slices. Put the cuts in a large bowl and set aside. Set up your oven to heat at 450 degrees F.
Next: Get your baking sheet and lay it over with parchment paper. Then, douche the parchment paper with cooking spray. Thoroughly mix the cut with pepper, garlic powder, and salt. Make sure every slice is well coated.
Set the cut on the sheet so that they are separate enough from each other. This allows them to bake evenly.
Bake the fries for 25mins, bring them out and turn on the other side. Bake for another 5 minutes and check. Bake till the fries are crisp and golden.
On the other hand: Set your little saucepan on medium heat and drop 2tbsp avocado oil. Add in your minced garlic and fry. Stir continuously until the garlic is a little brown, then take it down.
Bring out your crispy brown French fries from the oven, salt a little and spray the garlic syrup plus rosemary over them. Shake them together. Your fries are ready for serving.
What You Can Serve with Your Fries
If you are not sure what you want to serve with your French fries, here’s a pretty good recipe you’ll love. It takes 35 minutes to make and literally share a few minutes with those fries.
What You Need
- Frozen Meatballs 16 balls
- Bread crumbs 1/2 cup
- Pasta sauce 2 cups
- Egg 1 full
- Hoagie rolls 4 rolls
- Garlic butter 4 tbsp
- Mozzarella cheese 1 cup
- Ground beef (lean) 1 lb
- Italian seasoning 1/2 tsp
- Onion Powder 1/2 tsp
- Pepper
- Salt
Time Estimates
Preparation Time 20 mins
Cooking Time 15 mins
What to Do
First Step: Follow the instructions on the label of your meatballs to get them ready. Make the meatballs into 1-inch balls and set aside. Set your oven to heat at 350 degrees F.
Take a baking pan and cover it with parched paper. Set the balls on the parched paper and put the pan in the oven.
Next Step: Bake the balls till they are well done. This can take about 20 mins. When they are ready, put the meatballs in your saucepan. Add in pasta sauce then simmer for 10 minutes with the saucepan covered.
On the side: Set out your hoagie rolls and spread the garlic butter in each. Turn on your oven broiler and place the hoagie rolls to broil for 3 mins. Remove them when they are golden.
Next: Set the hoagie rolls in a baking dish and put four meatballs in each of the rolls. Top the meatballs with cheese and sauce. Broil the rolls for 3 minutes. They are ready when the cheese has melted.
Serve your Meatball Subs with your French Fries. Add the Ketchup of your choice.
Something for Vegans: Sandwich
This recipe makes a very crisp and tasty sandwich. You have to consume it in 4 hours. It’ll take 5 mins to prepare and 5 mins to cook.
What You Need
- Vegan Sandwich Bread 2 slices
- Eggplant bacon 6 slices
- Hummus 2 tbsp
- Red onion (thinly sliced) 1/4 of medium size
- Ripe tomato (thinly sliced) 1/2 of medium size
- Green lettuce 2 leaves
What to Do
First, toast your vegan bread. Then place your frying pan on medium heat and put in your eggplant bacon. Allow it to cook for about 2 mins. Turn the bacon on the other side and leave for 2 mins again. When every part has warmed up, bring it down.
Next, put your sandwich together. Cover the slices with hummus and place your eggplant on one. Add up your tomato, lettuce, and onion. Cover with the second slice.
Serve your Vegan Sandwich with your yummy French Fries.
When You Have Leftover Fries
There are those times when you make more French fries than your squad can consume. No matter how much you try to eat, you just have some leftover (not that eating so much is good for anyone). Not to worry, you can reheat any leftovers in the oven or on the stove.
Procedure
Preheat the oven, with your baking pan in it empty, to 400 degrees F. When the pan is hot, put the fries on it and leave to bake for 8 minutes at most. Make sure they don’t burn in the process. Be sure, the fries will become a little drier.
Reheating on a Stovetop
Take a nonstick pan and drop in 2 tbsp oil. Heat up slightly on medium heat and put in your fries. Fry for some minutes and remove it from the fire. Your leftover is ready for consumption.
Reheating in a Microwave
If you are comfortable with eating soft fries, then you can microwave your leftover. Otherwise, it’s a bad idea as the microwave will leave your French fries wet and tender.
You can add your leftovers to a stew or soup if you want to. It’ll work well, especially if they are frozen.