These oven baked french fries are my family's favorite--everybody always wants seconds! Let me show you how easy it is to DIY crave-able french fries at home with just a lil' bit of fat and no deep fryer.
And if you enjoy this recipe, you'll love my oven baked sweet potato fries with parmesan, too!
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Featured Reader Review
★★★★★
"I can actually hear the crunch on those fries, Jazz!"
-Marta
❤️ Why You'll Love this Recipe
Simple to Make - My quick baked french fries are made from real potatoes and a few other everyday ingredients. No fancy appliances or advanced techniques needed--and no deep frying!
Restaurant-Style Taste - This easy homemade recipe can go toe-to-toe with takeout or fast food thanks to a couple of secret ingredients that produce fries that are golden and crispy on the outside and buttery on the inside! And the pickle ketchup gives a nice tangy touch that makes you want to dip again and again. 😊
👉🏾 I love making healthier versions of our favorite comfort foods. Check out my sheet pan pizza with cottage cheese crust, beef burger salads, and the best ever oven-fried catfish next!
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What You'll Need for this Recipe
Russet Potatoes really are the best for making oven fries because they're sizeable with enough length to get nice dippable cut fries from. They also have a good texture that holds up to high-heat roasting.
Beef Tallow is the secret ingredient to popular fast food french fries because it adds rich flavor, crisps up well, and is stable at high heat. Win-win-win!
Creole Seasoning and a pinch of salt make the fries perfectly seasoned. I, for one, hate when restaurants do too much with fry seasonings because they don't cook long enough to really develop those flavors so it often winds up tasting way too sharp!
Check out the recipe card below for full ingredients list, measurements, nutrition facts, and step-by-step instructions!
Substitutions & Variations
Peel or Don't Peel - I like my fries with skin on, but this recipe also works if you peel the potatoes, so do whatever you prefer.
Vegan or Vegetarian - This is a beef tallow home fries recipe, so it does contain animal products, but you can get a similar result using avocado oil. The taste and texture won't be an exact match, but they will still be tasty!
How to Make Oven Roasted French Fries Crispy at Home
- Step One: Mix the ketchup, relish, and pickle juice until combined. (Photo 1)
- Step Two: Cut the potatoes into ⅓ to ½ inch pieces. (Photo 2)
- Step Three: Soak the pieces in ice water for at least 30 minutes. (Photo 3)
- Step Four: Drain the potato pieces then pat them dry on all sides. (Photo 4)
Pro Tip #1
You can soak the potatoes in water up to overnight (about eight hours), so this is a great make-ahead recipe for hosting or just getting a jump on dinner!
Pro Tip #2
It's important to get the potato pieces as dry as possible because any excess moisture will create counterproductive steam during the baking process, which produces soggy fries instead of crisp ones.
- Step Five: Mix up the cornstarch and spices, then toss with tallow and potatoes until evenly coated. (Photos 5 and 6)
- Step Six: Spread the potatoes in one layer on a prepared sheet pan, then roast until crisp and golden, shaking the pan about halfway through the cook time. (Photos 7 and 8)
Pro Tip #3
Giving the fries ample space while they cook is another key to getting oven-baked fries crispy! Leave at least half an inch between each piece and make sure not to let any of them overlap. If necessary, you can bake them in batches or on multiple pans.
Pro Tip #4
We'll start baking the French fries at 400, then crank the heat slightly to 425 for a lovely golden finish. They come together quickly, so I recommend hanging around in the kitchen so nothing burns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Refrigerate leftover fries in an airtight container for up to five days. Reheat them in the oven or an air fryer for the best texture. The air fryer will regain the most crispiness.
How to Serve
Temperature: These fries are best served piping hot. Once you pull the pan from the oven, let them crisp up for just a few minutes, then put them straight onto your plate!
Garnishes: You don't need anything extra here, but if you want to add a lil' razzle dazzle, sprinkle some fresh parsley or chives over top. This recipe is also a great foundation for loaded fries with hearty chili, shredded cheese, onions, and whatever else you like.
Pairings: Of course, pickle ketchup is the perfect partner, but I love giving you options like fresh ranch dressing and spicy Louisiana remoulade, too!
Occasions: Homemade oven french fries are great for game day tailgating with turkey burger sliders, blackened chicken tenders, or crunchy baked chicken wings. Or serve them on date night with the ultimate ribeye steak! And, of course, I have to mention that they work for girl dinner with a homemade filthy martini and Caesar salad.
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I hope you'll enjoy this easy oven baked french fries recipe soon and very soon. And sharing is caring, so be sure to pin this recipe for later and follow me over on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
📖 Recipe
Crispy Oven-Baked French Fries with Pickle Ketchup
Equipment
- 1 knife
- 1 spoon
Ingredients
- 1 pound Russet potatoes
- ice water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ tablespoon Creole seasoning
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 tablespoons beef tallow melted
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup pickle relish
- 1 teaspoon pickle brine
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line sheet pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- Prep the Potatoes: Gently scrub the skins of the potatoes, then cut them into ⅓ - ½-inch pieces.1 pound Russet potatoes
- Add the potatoes to a large bowl and cover with ice water. Soak for at least 30 minutes (up to overnight) to draw out excess starch, then drain the potatoes and pat them completely dry on all sides.*It's important to get the potato pieces as dry as possible because any excess moisture will create counterproductive steam during the baking process, which produces soggy fries instead of crisp ones.ice water
- Season and Bake: In a small bowl, mix together the cornstarch, Creole seasoning, and salt. Toss the dried potato pieces with tallow, followed by the seasoning mixture, then spread them out in a single layer on the sheet pan, leaving at least half an inch between each fry.If the pan is crowded, divide the fries between two pans or bake in batches.1 tablespoon cornstarch, ½ tablespoon Creole seasoning, 1 teaspoon fine sea salt, 2 tablespoons beef tallow
- Place pan on the center oven rack and bake the fries for 20 minutes, then flip the fries, increase the oven temperature to 425 degrees, and continue baking for 10-15 minutes or until the fries are golden brown.
- Finish and Serve: Meanwhile, mix the ketchup, pickle relish, and pickle brine in a small bowl. Let the fries crisp up for a few minutes, then serve hot with the ketchup-enjoy carefully!⅓ cup ketchup, ¼ cup pickle relish, 1 teaspoon pickle brine
Natalie says
Very easy to follow and the chips came out wonderfully. Thanks for this one, Jazz!
Jazzmine Woodard says
You're so welcome, Natalie! Glad you enjoyed the fries.
Aline says
Love me some oven baked fries!! And I cant wait to try these sauces - they look so good!
Calysta says
My toddler is going to love these and its a healthier option than deep frying! Win-win!
Brittany Fiero says
So simple and looks so delicious! I love oven baked fries and you just gave a side dish idea to make for dinner tomorrow night. You can't go wrong with fresh fries. Thanks so much.
Aly Michell says
I love making my fries this way! And they are seriously one of my favorite foods. Looks good!
Marta Rivera says
I can actually HEAR the crunch on those fries, Jazz!