Crispy and golden on the outside and soft on the inside. These oven-baked French fries are very simple to make, require only a few ingredients and make a great side dish or snack. I prefer to use Russet, Idaho or Yukon gold potatoes, because their high starch content produces French fries that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with an an even golden color, when frying or baking in the oven.
Oven-Baked French Fries
Course: SidesDifficulty: SimpleServings
4
servingsPrep time
20
minutesCooking time
30
minutesHow to make crispy and healthy oven-baked French fries.
Ingredients
2 lbs Russet, Idaho or Yukon gold potatoes, skins on
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 teaspoon salt, plus extra additional to taste
3 teaspoons of herbs de Provence
Method
- Place a rack in the lower third of your oven and preheat to 450F / 230C. Drizzle a large baking sheet with about 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, brushing it as needed so that it nicely coats the baking sheet.
- Scrub the potatoes and peel if you like. Slice the potatoes into sticks. I like to do it with a crinkle cutter knife. Place the potatoes in a large bowl and pour over with boiling hot water so that it covers the potatoes by at least an inch. Set aside to soak for 10 minutes.
- Drain the potatoes then transfer onto a clean kitchen towel and pat dry. Rinse and wipe out the bowl you soaked the potatoes in, then return the potatoes to the bowl. Drizzle with the remaining olive oil and sprinkle with salt and herbs de Provence. Toss to coat, making sure the spices and oil are well distributed. Spread the potatoes into a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Roast in the lower third of the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, until turning golden underneath. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and, with a large spatula, carefully loosen the fries from the bottom of the pan. Flip them as best as you can so that the potatoes brown evenly on all sides. There is no need to flip every single one, just make sure that they are spread again in a single layer. Place the baking sheet back in the oven and continue baking until the fries are as golden and crisp as you like, about 5 to 10 additional minutes. While the fries are hot, sprinkle a bit more salt to taste.
