Name: Crispy Oven Baked French Fries
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: 4 potatoes ((russet or gold)); 2 tsp salt; 2 Tbsp oil ((avocado, canola or vegetable)); 2 tsp seasoned salt

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If you’ve ever pulled a tray of homemade fries out of the oven only to end up with sad, limp potatoes, you’re not alone. These crispy oven baked French fries are proof that you don’t need a deep fryer to make fries that are golden on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

Made with simple ingredients and baked until perfectly crisp, they’re an easy side dish for burgers, sandwiches, chicken, or just about anything that needs a pile of fries next to it. They’re simple enough for a weeknight dinner but good enough that nobody misses the drive-thru version.

Crispy homemade French fries served with a side of ketchup on a white plate, perfect for snack or side dish.

Serves: 4-5
Prep time: 20 minutes (including 15 minutes soaking)
Cook time: 40-45 minutes

Ingredients:

4 potatoes (about 1 per person)
2 tsp salt
2 Tbsp oil
2 tsp seasoned salt (plus more)

potatoes, salt, oil, and seasoned salt in a bowl on a counter

Get the full printable instructions at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.

What Makes Oven Fries Crispy?

The secret to crispy oven fries starts before they go into the oven. Soaking the potatoes in a salt water bath helps draw out excess starch and moisture, which allows the fries to crisp up instead of steaming while they bake. After soaking, be sure to drain and dry the potatoes thoroughly. Excess moisture is the enemy of crispy fries.

For the best results:

Soak the potatoes in salt water for at least 15 minutes before baking.
They can stay in the water for up to 24 hours when covered and refrigerated for easy prep.
Dry them thoroughly.
Coat them evenly with oil.
Spread them in a single layer without overcrowding the pan.
Bake at a high temperature until golden brown.

Those few extra minutes of prep make all the difference between soft baked potatoes and crispy homemade oven fries.

Step by Step Directions:

Step 1: Scrub potatoes clean with cool water or peel and rinse them. I prefer to leave the skin on, but go with your preference. Slice the potatoes long ways into 3-4 evenly sized sections then cut each section into 4-5 fry sized pieces (depending on the size of the potato).

Step 2: Place the cut potatoes in a bowl and cover with just enough cool water. Add 2 tsp of salt and swirl around a bit to distribute. Soak for at least 15 minutes. This helps to draw some of the starch and water from the potatoes so they crisp up.

salt being poured into a bowl with potatoes and water

Step 3: When ready to bake, preheat oven to 450º F. Drain the water and dry potatoes thoroughly with paper towels. I like to really press them to remove as much moisture as possible. Place the potatoes in a clean, dry bowl and pour 2 Tbsp of oil over them. Sprinkle the seasoned salt in and toss to coat.

hands using paper towels to dry potatoes

oil being poured onto uncooked fries in a bowl

uncooked fries in a bowl with oil and seasoning

Step 4: Place potatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray (or line with parchment paper or silicone mat). Don’t overcrowd the pan. It’s better to split the potatoes up between 2 pans if you run out of room. Bake for 20 minutes.

Step 5: Carefully remove the hot baking sheet from oven and flip potatoes to other side. Cook for 20-25 more minutes or until they reach desired crispiness. Sprinkle with a bit more seasoned salt and serve with your favorite condiments!

Golden crispy French fries served with a side of ketchup, perfect for snacking or sharing. Freshly cooked, seasoned potato fries on a white plate with a red and white striped cloth background.

Turn These Oven Fries Into a Complete Meal

Pulled Pork Tenderloin – simple slow cooker dinner
Sriracha and Honey Chicken – easy weeknight dinner
Greek Turkey Burgers – save some of that feta and tzatziki for your fries!

Before you go . . .

We are definitely potato lovers here at Simply Made Dish. They just might be the most versatile food. If you’re into crispy, give our baby parmesan potatoes a try. Or for an impossible to mess up side dish, you can’t go wrong with a baked potato!

Crispy Oven Baked French Fries

These crispy oven baked French fries are golden on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and easy to make with simple ingredients. The perfect side dish for burgers, sandwiches, and family dinners.

Beth

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 45

Total Time 1 5

Servings

Ingredients

4 potatoes (russet or gold)
2 tsp salt
2 Tbsp oil (avocado, canola or vegetable)
2 tsp seasoned salt

Instructions

Scrub potatoes clean with cool water or peel and rinse them. I prefer to leave the skin on. Slice potatoes long ways into 3-4 even sections, then cut each section into 4-5 fry sized pieces (depending on the size of the potato).
Place the cut potatoes in a bowl and cover with cool water. Add salt and swirl around a bit to distribute. Soak for at least 15 minutes. This helps to draw some of the starch and water from the potatoes so they crisp up.
When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 450º F. Drain the water and dry potatoes with paper towels. Press down when drying to absorb as much moisture as possible. Place the potatoes in a clean, dry bowl and pour oil over them. Sprinkle the seasoned salt in and toss to coat.
Place potatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray (or line with parchment paper or a silicone mat). Don't overcrowd the pan. Use a second baking sheet if needed. Cook for 20 minutes.
Carefully remove the hot baking sheet from the oven and flip potatoes to the other side. Cook for 20-25 more minutes or until they reach desired crispiness. Sprinkle with a bit more seasoned salt and enjoy!

Notes

Feeling spicy? We love using cajun seasoned salt on just about anything.
Prefer more simple seasoning? Just use some salt and pepper and maybe a dash of paprika.
For the crispiest fries, use the nonstick spray and bake directly on baking sheet.