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These easy Homemade Baked French Fries are seasoned with Italian herbs and roasted in the oven until they’re nice and crispy. Made with just a few ingredients and minimal oil, they’re the best kind of comfort food!
These Easy Baked French Fries Are Seasoned to Perfection!
There are tons of tasty ways to season french fries, but all of the yummiest fries have one thing in common – they’re crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. These simple oven-baked fries are no exception. Their spot-on texture is only enhanced by their classic Italian flavor.
That being said, you can count on this recipe to help you create any kind of french fries you’re in the mood for – and to help you knock them out of the park. There’s no need to haul out your deep frier or fuss around with a pan of hot oil. You simply cut up your potatoes, soak them in some water, season them and bake away!
Are Baked Fries Healthier Than Fried Fries?
Very much so. Oven-baked fries contain a fraction of the oil that’s found in their deep-fried and pan-fried counterparts. I used to eat fried fries like nobody’s business, but my tummy started having problems with them years ago. So now I cook my fries in the oven, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
What You’ll Need
You only need a handful of ingredients to make these flavorful french fries happen. Let’s talk about each one!
- Russet Potatoes: I encourage you to stick with this variety – not only do russet potatoes make amazing fries, but they’re also ideal for baking in general due to their starchiness and low moisture content.
- Olive Oil: For the best results, use high-quality extra-virgin olive oil.
- Salt & Pepper: To taste.
- Italian Seasoning: These fries can be seasoned however you’d like, so feel free to take them in a different direction if desired.
How to Make Italian Herb Oven Fries
If you’re still getting comfortable working in the kitchen, this is a wonderful recipe to take on. It’s so easy!
Cut Potatoes & Soak Fries: Cut the potatoes into about 1/2×1-inch steak fries and place the fries into a bowl of cold water. Allow them to soak while you preheat the oven.
Prep for Baking: Preheat the oven to 450°F and coat a baking sheet with a thin layer of olive oil or cooking spray. Alternatively, line the pan with parchment paper.
Dry Fries: Remove your french fries from the water and dry them off thoroughly.
Season: Toss the dried fries with the olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper until every fry is well seasoned. Lay them on the baking sheet in a single layer, leaving some space between each fry to ensure crispiness across the board.
Bake: Bake the fries for 10 minutes, flip them over, then bake them for another 10 minutes, or until they’re golden and crispy.
Enjoy! Serve the fries warm with Balsamic Ketchup or another dipping sauce of your choice.
Prepare and season the fries as directed here, but then check out these Air Fryer French Fries to see how to cook them perfectly crispy without heating up the oven!
Tips for Success
In order to bake up flawless french fries on your first try, familiarize yourself with the tips and tricks below.
- Cut the Fries Evenly: If some of your french fries are significantly smaller or larger than others, they will not cook at the same rate. Take your time and make sure all of your fries are similar in size.
- Soak the Fries Ahead of Time: I like to soak my fries for 2-3 hours before I bake them. Submerging the unbaked fries in cold water prevents them from sticking together and helps them become extra crispy. If you’d like, you can even soak them the night before you plan to make them if you store them in the fridge.
- Season to Taste: Add salt and pepper to taste until you’re satisfied with how your fries are seasoned. Remember that you can always add more, but you can’t take any out.
- Serve Immediately: Fries tend to cool down quite quickly, so it’s best to serve them fresh from the oven. Just be careful not to burn your fingers or mouth.
Variation Ideas
Now it’s time to discuss some different ways you can flavor your french fries. There really are no limitations!
- Cajun Fries: Who doesn’t love Cajun seasoning? I know I do – and so do these oven-baked french fries.
- Garlic Herb Fries: I frequently opt for herbes de Provence, seasoned salt, thyme and garlic instead of the Italian seasoning. So divine!
- Tex-Mex Fries: You can’t go wrong with the smoky-spicy flavor profile of fries seasoned with onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder and smoked paprika.
- Parmesan Fries: Never underestimate the power of garlic and parmesan. The combo always makes an amazing french fry seasoning!
- Truffle Fries: Got a little gourmet and give your fries a drizzle of truffle oil for some serious umami flavor.
Make it a Meal
Debating what main course would go best with this classic side? I can’t decide between the following dishes!
- Serve with Meatloaf: Meatloaf is one of my favorite dinner options for busy weeknights. This Roasted Vegetable Balsamic Meatloaf is the best of the best!
- Pair with Burgers: My French Onion Burgers are heaven in a hamburger. And they go incredibly well with these Italian seasoned fries! If you happen to be vegan, these Black Bean Quinoa Burgers with Homemade Guacamole are a drool-worthy alternative.
- Serve with Chicken Tenders: For the ultimate kid favorite meal, make a batch of Air Fryer Chicken Tenders! Then grab some dips like Balsamic BBQ Sauce or even a little Ranch Dressing.
Storing and Reheating Homemade French Fries
Once they’ve cooled, leftover french fries should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. They will last for up to 5 days. To reheat them, spread them out in an even layer on a greased baking sheet and roast them in a 450°F oven until they’re warmed through.
Can I Freeze These?
Absolutely – but before you store your fries in the freezer, you’ll have to flash-freeze them on a parchment-lined baking sheet to prevent them from sticking to each other. Once they’re frozen solid, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container and store them for up to 10 months. Reheat them directly from frozen.
Italian Herb Oven Fries
Equipment
- Oven
Ingredients
- 1 lb russet potatoes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- kosher salt & freshly ground pepper to taste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning or other herbs/seasonings
Instructions
- Cut potatoes into about 1/2 in. by 1 in. steak fries, and place fries in a bowl of cold water, and allow to soak. This can be done in advance, and you can hold the potatoes in the cold water until you are ready to bake them.
- Preheat oven to 450°F, and coat a baking sheet with olive oil or cooking spray.
- Remove potatoes from the water and dry thoroughly.
- Toss the potatoes in the olive oil, salt & pepper, and Italian seasoning, and lay on the baking sheet in a single layer.
- Bake for 10 minutes, flip the fries, and bake for about another 10 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
Notes
- Makes 2-4 servings.
- To Store: Keep cooled fries in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- To Reheat: Spread fries in an even layer on a greased baking sheet and roast in a 450°F oven until warmed through.
- To Freeze: First, flash-freeze cooled fries on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Once frozen solid, transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container and store for up to 10 months. Reheat directly from frozen.
Did you make this?
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More Healthy Side Dishes to Try
Looking for more nutritious sides and appetizers? I know just what you need.
These were fantastic, just make sure you cut your potatoes the same size as in the picture. I have a French fry cutter so it worked well for me. I baked mine a bit longer than the recipe and I also used some cheese. They were out of this world good.
Zomick’s Bakery
Hey, I hear you … I try to not fry anything.
I don’t like greasy things (or I should say, they don’t like me), and the deep fryer scares me and makes a mess!
Perfect recipe for potatoes. I love it
Thanks for stopping by! Enjoy!
The soak method of making oven fries has never worked for me … I do the boil method where you boil the potatoes for a short period of time and then bake them. I just can’t get them to be tender but not burnt if you know what I mean! But I do love them!
Hmm, I think it all depend s on how thin or thick you cut them. Or maybe it is just how soft you like them? I’ve never tried boiling. I’ll have to give it a shot.
I’m a huge fan of oven fries like you! The crunchy on the outside, yet softness on the inside … plus, they are cheaper to make!! I never thought to try Italian seasoning! I need to get on that!
ps it won’t let me give 5 stars on this recipe, but that’s how much I want to give!
Yes, try it! And Herbes de Provence is good too! I like sweet potato oven fries, too.