French fries have always been popular in my household and a number of years ago I realized I could make Homemade Oven Fries easily with potatoes, some oil and seasonings. It might be obvious but when one is used to buying food like French fries their whole life the realization they can be made from scratch somehow isn’t obvious.
What I love about making Homemade Oven Fries is I almost always have potatoes and can make the decision with no planning. We love thicker fries but they can be made into any size or shape; long and skinny French Pomme Frites (the original ‘French fry’), regular size fires or larger steak fries. They are great on their own (with Homemade Best Ketchup) or in recipes like Texas-Inspired Chili Cheese Fries or Barbecue Beef Poutine (a Canadian signature food). Also being baked instead of deep fried they have far less fat (and only ‘good’ fat).
Potatoes are available all year round making the recipe a great side dish whether for roasted winter meats, and slow cooker dishes or for grilled summer recipes. For those gluten-free they are a great choice being naturally gluten-free and when making them from scratch there is no concern over any flour being added to separate the fries.
I particularly like these Homemade Oven Fries because they are larger than a traditional French fry and develop a delicious golden, crisp outside with a soft inside. They are definitely a family favorite.
Something that my kids like about making these fries at home (and me too) is you can strike the perfect salt to potato ratio. I’m sure you’ve had the experience of buy fries and they seem to be a Goldilocks story; too salty, not salty enough but rarely ‘just right’. I’ve deliberately not specified the amount of salt and pepper to leave that to your personal preference. I give my fries a healthy sprinkling of both salt and pepper but you can all a bit before cooking and more after before serving as it suits your taste.
Homemade Oven Fries
Ingredients
- 3-4 larger size potatoes (Russet, Yukon Gold, Yellow, White)
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- Kosher Salt and fresh Black Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Scrub potatoes. Slice potatoes lengthwise into 1/2 inch slices; then cut each slice into 1/2 to 3/4-inch wide fries.
- In a large bowl, gently toss potatoes in 1-2 tablespoons olive oil and salt and pepper. The potatoes should all be thinly coated but not dripping with oil.
- Line a baking sheet with a silpat or foil (non-shiny side) and place potatoes in a single layer on the prepared cookie sheet.
- Cook until done (about 25 minutes), turning once or twice during cooking to allow a golden-brown crust to form on the potatoes. They’ll develop a delicious crunch on the outside and soft inside.
This delicious recipe was originally published in May 2011 and has been updated in 2016.
Lizzy says
Yum! It's been way too long since I've made oven fries. They'll definitely be on our menu this week 🙂
Karen Harris says
I love simple food offerings. While more complex dishes may be interesting, this is something I'd really make for my family.
spontaneous-euphoria says
wonderful photographs!
i had these for lunch today- with a nice dip of yogurt and sweet and sour sauce!
oven fries are soo good- so much less guilt haha!
freeeatsfood.com says
You are surely forgiven. 😉 I love the way simple preparations highlight good food. These lovely fries will be a wonderful accompaniment to our dinner tonight!
Kate@Diethood says
OH YUM!! Thank you for reminding me…it's been a while, but I always make homemade oven fries and they are waaaay better than their store-bought, fried counterparts.
Chef Dennis says
oven roasted potatoes are simply the best! Even my girls have learned the sweet pleasure of oven roasting….sigh
hope your weekend is going well!
Dennis
Chad @ thebreakupnote says
I love making fries this way – so much beter than ANY fast food garbage!
My Kitchen in the Rockies says
I also make them all the time like this. We love them. I discovered last summer to use the oven fried potatoes for my German style potato salad. Try it! It is spectacular.
Daily Spud says
Cyber high 5 lady, I make oven fries like this all the time, but I don't think that'll surprise you much 🙂
Hester aka The Chef Doc says
Simple fare all the way, my dear 🙂 I love homemade oven fries! They're way healthier and I think they taste so much better since you can customize it with whatever you want! I'm a potato lover through and through and these fries have made my heart flutter.
Jennifer-Adventuresome Kitchen says
Homemade fries are the best! Although I confess, I've only used this method with Sweet Potatoes. I don't often get white potatoes, but may have to for a special occasion. I”m back in my down jacket here too! after two 95 degree days 🙁 So ready for the warm weather to stick around. Making those mesquite pancakes with the kids this morning!!
Barbara | VinoLuciStyleh says
Could you pretty please add sweet potatoes to your list? 🙂
I made some sweet potato oven fries last year after Thanksgiving when I had too many potatoes left over and I vowed that I would not save that treat just for Thanksgiving. I'm trying to live up to that promise; they are my favorites!
Julia @ DimpleArts says
This is perfect! A simple and fast side dish.
Rosemary says
I love these, too — they're a regular side dish here. (Although, I confess, I can make a whole meal of them and they're so adaptable to absorbing different flavors too.)
Nikki @ The Tolerant Vegan says
These are the BEST kind of fries! I think they taste better than the fried version and the seasoning possibilities are really endless.
Michael Richardson says
Amazing how simplicity is sometimes best. I am a huge fan of fresh oven fries.
Nic@daydreamaboutfood says
Yum. Love making oven fries as opposed to the deep fried variety. I always use waxy potatoes when I oven bake fries because they have a really velvety texture.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
We eat brinner here about once a week. Home fries are a must & yours sound perfect to make with our next breakfast for dinner night.
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
these fries look FLAWLESS! You’d never guess that they’re baked!
Toni Dash says
Best compliment you could give Kayle! Thank you.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
Home fries are the best! I make them all the time. You take those bad boys and you throw some cheese and chili on top. Yum!
MJ L says
Yum! These are so good and so much more healthier than a deep fryer! I love homemade oven baked fries!
Catherine S says
These fries look so yummy. I have never made my own homemade fries. Thanks for the recipe.
Sarah Bailey says
There is something so delicious about home mad chips I’ll have to try your recipe next time 🙂 x
Pam says
I make oven fries all the time. They’re so simple and go so well with almost everything.
Tonia Sanders says
Wow. Those fries look so delicious. They’re exactly how I like them.
Lisa Joy Thompson says
I can’t wait to make these! My son has a gluten allergy and so eating fries when we’re out is something we’ve learned he just can’t do! This will make him soooo happy!!!
Marcie W. says
Oven fries are the absolute best. I love that you can play with seasoning options too.
Liz Mays says
I need to make these the next time we grill. The guys would love some homemade fries to go along with some burgers.
Raijean S says
Geez, that looks amazing. I’m going to try these for the weekend. I know my family would love it.
Nicole Escat says
I love oven fries, it is healthier than fried fries and definitely fresher! Thanks for the idea, I love to try this!
Ryan Escat says
Oh, this seems so yummy! I love my home-cooked fries but I never knew that we can cook it in the oven, great tip you got here!
Seattle Travel Blogger says
Wow, these look good.
They look like a totally different spin-off from the typical fries served in fast-food type establishments!
Joyce Brewer (@MommyTalkShow) says
You’re right. These are so much better than store bought fries. But I usually grab them out of laziness. Next time I’m at the grocer I’m buying a bag of potatoes.
Rosey says
That’s how we make the too Way better than frozen or fried!
Tess says
Way better then frozen. I love homemade fries
Kiwi says
Im inspired to make my own fries more often! These look perfect I would just add cracked sea salt and black pepper over mines!