Oven-Baked Potato Fries Recipe

Ingredients

For the potato fries:

The ingredients for oven-baked potato fries are relatively simple and can be found in most supermarkets or local grocery stores.

You will need the following items to make this recipe:

* 2-3 large potatoes, preferably high-starch varieties such as Russet or Idaho

* 1/2 cup of vegetable oil (such as olive or avocado oil)

* 1/2 teaspoon of salt

* 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper

* 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder (optional)

* 1/4 teaspoon of paprika (optional)

* Additional seasonings of your choice, such as chili powder or dried herbs (optional)

It’s worth noting that you can customize the ingredients to suit your personal taste preferences and dietary needs.

For example, if you prefer a gluten-free recipe, make sure to choose gluten-free seasonings and oils. If you want to reduce the calorie count, consider using a healthier oil option such as grapeseed or coconut oil.

* 23 large potatoes

Potatoes are the star ingredient of this oven-baked potato fries recipe, and you’ll need a substantial amount to make it worthwhile.

For 23 large potatoes, you can expect to have plenty of potato fries for a crowd or leftovers for later use.

The type of potatoes used is crucial in achieving the right texture and taste. High-starch potatoes like Russet or Idaho work best for this recipe due to their high dry matter content and starchy nature, which will result in crispy exterior and fluffy interior when cooked correctly.

It’s worth noting that the number 23 can be adjusted according to your specific needs; however, as a general guideline for making potato fries, you’ll typically require one large potato per serving. So, if you’re planning on having multiple servings or want to store some leftovers in an air-tight container for up to three days, this amount should suffice.

When selecting the potatoes, ensure they are firm and evenly colored, with no visible signs of sprouting or bruises that could compromise their texture and flavor. You may also choose a mix of large and smaller potatoes if you prefer a more varied selection of sizes for your potato fries.

* 1/2 cup vegetable oil

The use of vegetable oil as an ingredient in cooking is a common practice due to its neutral flavor and high smoke point, making it ideal for frying foods such as potato fries.

Vegetable oil can be a blend of various oils including canola, corn, sunflower, and soybean oil. However, some recipes specify using 100% one type of oil to ensure consistency in taste and texture.

In the context of the Oven-Baked Potato Fries Recipe, 1/2 cup of vegetable oil may be used as a finishing touch or for making a drizzle sauce, rather than deep-frying the fries. This is likely due to the fact that the recipe uses baking as the primary method of cooking.

The inclusion of vegetable oil in this recipe may serve multiple purposes such as:

• Adding flavor: Some vegetable oils have a distinct taste, which can complement the natural flavor of the potatoes and other seasonings used in the recipe.

• Enhancing texture: The fat content in vegetable oil can help to keep the fries crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

• Preventing sticking: Applying a small amount of vegetable oil to the baking sheet may prevent the potato fries from sticking to it, making cleanup easier.

It’s worth noting that using vegetable oil in this recipe is not strictly necessary. Some alternative oils or non-stick sprays could be used instead, depending on personal preference and dietary requirements.

* Salt, to taste

Salt to taste in the context of the Oven-Baked Potato Fries Recipe is an ingredient that plays a crucial role in enhancing the flavor and texture of the dish.

The term “to taste” implies that the amount of salt to be added is subjective and may vary depending on individual preferences for salty or bland flavors.

In this recipe, adding salt to taste allows home cooks to adjust the seasoning to their liking, whether they prefer a light coating or a generous sprinkling of salt over the potato fries.

Salt not only adds flavor but also helps to bring out the natural sweetness of the potatoes, creating a delicious balance of flavors that complements the crispy exterior and fluffy interior of the oven-baked potato fries.

When adding salt to taste, it’s essential to remember that a pinch or a light sprinkle can be just as effective as a generous helping, so home cooks should use their discretion when seasoning the dish.

The type of salt used can also impact the flavor profile of the Oven-Baked Potato Fries. Some popular options include sea salt, kosher salt, and Himalayan pink salt, each with its unique texture and taste characteristics.

For example, using a flaky sea salt or a coarse kosher salt can add a subtle crunch and flavor contrast to the potato fries, while a finer-grained salt like table salt may dissolve more easily into the potatoes’ surface.

In general, it’s best to use high-quality salt that enhances rather than overpowers the natural flavors of the dish. Experimenting with different types and amounts of salt can help home cooks find their ideal balance of flavors for the Oven-Baked Potato Fries Recipe.

* Optional: Additional seasonings such as paprika, garlic powder, or chili powder

The key to making delicious oven-baked potato fries is using high-quality ingredients.

Here are some essential and optional ingredients needed for this recipe:

Essential Ingredients:

• 4-5 large potatoes

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil or cooking spray

• Salt, to taste

• Pepper, to taste

Optional Ingredients:

• Paprika: This sweet and smoky spice adds a nice flavor to the potato fries. Use about 1/4 teaspoon for every 2-3 potatoes.

• Garlic Powder: Mix about 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder with salt and pepper for added flavor.

• Chili Powder: This spicy spice is perfect for those who like a little heat. Use about 1/8 teaspoon for every 2-3 potatoes.

You can adjust the amount of optional seasonings according to your taste preferences. For example, if you love garlic, add more garlic powder or mix some minced garlic with oil before brushing it on the potato fries.

Instructions

Cutting and Soaking the Potatoes:

To begin with, cutting the potatoes is an essential step in preparing oven-baked potato fries. The objective here is to obtain long, thin strips that are uniform in size and shape.

First, peel the potatoes using a vegetable peeler or a sharp knife. It’s crucial to remove as much of the skin as possible to achieve smooth and even cuts.

Select one end of the potato and hold it firmly with one hand. Place the other hand on top of the potato and slice it into thin rounds, about 1/8 inch thick. You can use a mandoline or a sharp knife for this task.

Next, take each round and cut it lengthwise into long, thin strips, known as fries. Make sure they’re even in thickness and length to ensure uniform cooking.

For thinner fries, you may need to repeat the cutting process multiple times until you achieve the desired size. You can also use a julienne peeler or a specialized tool designed specifically for cutting potato fries.

Once you’ve cut all the potatoes into long strips, it’s time to soak them in cold water to remove excess starch and help the fries cook more evenly.

Rinse each strip of potato under cold running water to remove any remaining starch. This step is crucial as excess starch can cause the fries to turn brown or develop a sticky texture during cooking.

Soak the cut potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes, and up to several hours if time allows. You can also add ice cubes to the water to keep it even colder, which will help prevent bacterial growth.

After soaking the potato fries, remove them from the water and pat them dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen cloth to remove excess moisture. This step is essential in preparing the fries for cooking.

Cut the potatoes into long, thin strips.

To prepare the perfect oven-baked potato fries for this recipe, follow these steps to cut the potatoes into long, thin strips:

Step 1: Select and Wash the Potatoes

Select high-starch potatoes, such as Russet or Idaho, for the best results. Wash the potatoes thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dirt or debris.

Step 2: Dry the Potatoes

Using a clean towel or paper towels, dry the potatoes completely to remove excess moisture. This step is crucial in helping the potatoes cook evenly and prevent them from steaming instead of browning.

Step 3: Cut the Potatoes into Long Strips

Using a sharp knife, cut each potato lengthwise into long, thin strips. You can either cut the strips by hand or use a French fry cutter to make the process easier and faster.

Step 4: Soak the Potato Strips (Optional)

If you want to remove excess starch from the potatoes and help them cook crispy, soak the cut potato strips in cold water for at least 30 minutes. After soaking, drain the water and pat the strips dry with paper towels before proceeding.

Step 5: Season the Potato Strips

In a bowl, mix together your desired seasonings, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, or paprika. Toss the potato strips in the seasoning mixture to coat them evenly.

Step 6: Prepare for Baking

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
• Arrange the seasoned potato strips in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each strip to allow for even cooking.
• If you want extra crispy fries, try arranging them in a single layer on a wire rack set over a baking sheet.

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Proceed with the recipe by baking the potato strips until they’re golden brown and crispy, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. Enjoy your delicious oven-baked potato fries!

Soak the cut potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes to remove excess starch.

The first step in making oven-baked potato fries is to prepare the potatoes properly, which involves removing excess starch from them.

This process is crucial because high-starch potatoes will yield a crispy exterior but a raw interior when cooked, while low-starch potatoes will be dense and unappealing.

Soaking the cut potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes helps to remove excess starch from the surface of the potato, resulting in a more even cooking process and a better texture.

This is because water helps to leach out the starches on the surface of the potatoes, which can otherwise caramelize and create a tough exterior during frying or baking.

Another reason why this step is important is that it prevents the formation of starch gelatinization, which can make the potatoes feel raw or starchy even after cooking.

Once you have soaked your potato strips for at least 30 minutes, drain them thoroughly in a colander to remove excess water and pat them dry with paper towels before moving on to the next step of seasoning and baking them.

This will help ensure that your oven-baked potato fries turn out crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, with no signs of rawness or starchiness.

Cooking the Oven-Baked Potato Fries

Preheating and Baking:

To cook oven-baked potato fries, follow these steps to achieve crispy and delicious results.

Preheating

The first step in making oven-baked potato fries is preheating your oven to the right temperature. For this recipe, you’ll want to preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This will ensure that your fries cook evenly and come out crispy.

Baking

Once your oven is preheated, it’s time to bake your potato fries. Here are the steps:

• Cut the potatoes into fry shapes: Use a mandoline or sharp knife to cut the potatoes into long, thin strips. Try to make them as uniform as possible so that they cook evenly.

• Soak the potato fries in cold water: Soaking the potato fries in cold water for at least 30 minutes can help remove excess starch and help them become crispy when baked.

• Dry the potato fries: After soaking, dry the potato fries thoroughly with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This step is crucial in helping the fries become crispy.

• Season the potato fries: Toss the potato fries with your favorite seasonings, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, or paprika. You can also use herbs like rosemary or thyme for a different flavor.

• Bake the potato fries: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread out the potato fries in a single layer. Drizzle with a little bit of oil to help them cook evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and crispy.

Remember to check on your potato fries every 10-15 minutes to ensure they don’t overcook. You can also try shaking the baking sheet halfway through cooking to help them cook evenly.

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

To cook the oven-baked potato fries, start by preheating the oven to a high temperature of 400°F (200°C). This is an essential step as it will help the fries cook evenly and achieve that perfect crispiness.

Next, wash the potatoes thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dirt or debris. Pat them dry with paper towels to ensure they’re free from excess moisture. This helps prevent the formation of steam during cooking, which can result in soggy fries.

Peel the potatoes and cut them into long, thin strips, about 1/2 inch (1 cm) thick. You want the strips to be uniform in size so that they cook evenly in the oven. Place them in a large bowl and sprinkle with salt to draw out excess moisture. Let it sit for about 10 minutes to allow the potatoes to sweat.

After 10 minutes, pat the potato strips dry once again using paper towels. This step is crucial as any remaining moisture will prevent the fries from becoming crispy. Now, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat, and arrange the potato strips in a single layer. Drizzle with oil to help the potatoes cook evenly and achieve that golden brown color.

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes or until the fries are golden brown and crispy. To ensure they’re cooked uniformly, shake the baking sheet halfway through the cooking time. This will prevent the fries from burning or becoming unevenly cooked.

Once the fries are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet. Then, transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil. Serve hot and enjoy your crispy oven-baked potato fries!

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.

To begin cooking oven-baked potato fries, start by lining a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil to prevent the fries from sticking and make cleanup easier.

The next step is to wash and peel 2-3 large potatoes, depending on their size, to use for making the fries. You will also need some oil for frying, but since we are oven-baked, a small amount of oil or non-stick spray can be used instead.

Using a sharp knife, slice the peeled potatoes into long strips, about 1/2 inch thick. Try to make them as uniform in size and shape as possible so that they cook evenly.

Place the potato fries in a bowl and drizzle with a small amount of oil or non-stick spray. Toss the fries gently to ensure they are evenly coated with the oil.

Add your desired seasonings to the bowl and mix until the potatoes are well coated. You can use salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, chili powder, or any other seasoning you like.

Once the fries are seasoned, line them up in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, making sure not to overcrowd it. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your baking sheet.

Place the baking sheet with the potato fries in the oven and bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 20-25 minutes, or until they are crispy and golden brown. Shake the baking sheet halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning.

Baking Time:

• For thicker fries, bake at 400°F (200°C) for 25-30 minutes
• For thinner fries, bake at 425°F (220°C) for 15-20 minutes

Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving the potato fries hot. Enjoy your delicious oven-baked potato fries!

Toss the soaked potatoes with oil and seasonings.

To start cooking oven-baked potato fries, you first need to prepare your ingredients. For this recipe, you will require 2-3 large potatoes, a bowl for soaking them in cold water, some oil for tossing with the potatoes, and seasonings such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, or any other desired flavor.

Peel the potatoes and cut them into long strips that resemble french fries. It’s crucial to make sure they’re all approximately the same size so that they cook evenly.

In a large bowl, combine cold water and 1-2 tablespoons of vinegar, making sure the water is enough to cover the potatoes completely. This step is called soaking or blanching. Allow the potatoes to soak for about 30 minutes in the refrigerator.

After 30 minutes, drain the potatoes from the soaking liquid and pat them dry with a paper towel. You can also place the potatoes on a clean kitchen towel and gently press down to remove excess moisture.

Now it’s time to toss the soaked potatoes with oil and seasonings. In a large bowl or pan, combine 2-3 tablespoons of oil (you can use olive oil, avocado oil, or any other neutral-tasting oil) along with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and any other desired seasonings. Toss the potato strips gently to ensure they are evenly coated with the oil and seasonings.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat for easy cleanup. Arrange the tossed potatoes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each fry to allow them to cook evenly.

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake the potato fries for about 20-25 minutes or until they reach your desired level of crispiness. Keep an eye on them during the last 5 minutes as they can quickly go from perfectly cooked to burnt.

If you want a crisper texture, try baking them at a higher temperature (425°F / 220°C) for about 10-15 minutes or until crispy and golden brown. Remember to check on them frequently as overcooking will make the potato fries turn dark brown or even black.

Once cooked, remove the oven-baked potato fries from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your homemade oven-baked potato fries!

Spread the potato fries in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.

To prepare oven-baked potato fries, it’s essential to start by preparing the baking sheet. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil to prevent the potato fries from sticking to the pan.

Next, slice the potatoes into long, thin strips. You can either use a mandoline or a sharp knife for this task. It’s crucial to make the slices as uniform in size and thickness as possible so that they cook evenly.

After cutting the potato fries, place them in a large bowl filled with cold water. This step is essential to remove excess starch from the potatoes, which helps prevent them from sticking together during cooking.

Once the potato fries have been soaking in cold water for about 30 minutes, drain and pat them dry using paper towels. This will help remove any excess moisture from the surface of the potato fries, promoting even browning and crisping during baking.

Now it’s time to prepare the seasoning mixture. You can use a combination of salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, or any other seasonings you prefer. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over the potato fries, making sure they are well coated.

To arrange the potato fries on the baking sheet in a single layer, follow these steps:

1. Begin by placing a few rows of potato fries along one edge of the prepared baking sheet.
2. Continue adding more rows, slightly overlapping each row to ensure even cooking.
3. Make sure not to overcrowd the baking sheet, as this can lead to steaming instead of browning. If necessary, use multiple baking sheets to accommodate all the potato fries.

Finally, place the baking sheet in a preheated oven set at 400°F (200°C). Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until the potato fries are crispy and golden brown, flipping them halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning.

Bake for 2025 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy and golden brown.

To cook oven-baked potato fries that are crispy and golden brown, follow these steps:

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) with a rack in the middle position.

**Step-by-Step Instructions:**

1. Cut potatoes into long, thin strips. You can either cut them by hand or use a French fry cutter. Try to make the strips as uniform as possible so that they cook evenly.

2. Soak the potato strips in cold water for at least 30 minutes to remove excess starch. This step will help the fries become crispy when baked.

3. After soaking, drain the potato strips and dry them thoroughly with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel.

**Baking:**

To bake the potato fries, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. You can also use a silicone mat for easy cleanup.

Arrange the potato strips in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Do not overcrowd the baking sheet, as this will prevent the fries from cooking evenly.

**Baking Time and Temperature:**

Bake the potato fries at 400°F (200°C) for 2025 minutes. However, please note that 2025 minutes is an incorrect time for baking potato fries. A more suitable temperature would be between 12 to 20 minutes, depending on your oven’s performance and personal preference for crispiness.

However, if you are set on trying out the 2025-minute option, here’s how it might work:

4. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes. This is a more realistic time frame to achieve crispiness.

**Flipping:**

To ensure even cooking, flip the potato strips halfway through the baking time. You can use a spatula or tongs to flip them over.

**Tips and Variations:**

• For crisper fries, try baking them at a higher temperature (425°F / 220°C) for a shorter amount of time (12-15 minutes).

• To make sweet potato fries, use the same method but substitute the regular potatoes with sweet potatoes.