I don’t know about you but a burger just isn’t complete without a side of fries. Am I right? Chips can sometimes stand in as a substitute but they’re not any healthier and they just don’t satisfy the craving. Baked French Fries are the solution to having that favorite side but without all the calories or making your house smell like a greasy fast food place. Isn’t it amazing how many different ways there are to prepare potatoes?! They’re so simple, which makes them perfect for using to create so many various yummy dishes. French fries are the most popular way to prepare potatoes so here’s how to bake them!
How to make Baked French Fries:
The first step is to cut your potatoes so they are nice and thin. About 1/4-inch will do the trick. To cut them uniformly and more quickly, I highly recommend using a mandoline slicer. This is a great tool to have in the kitchen for slicing up any vegetable. You do not need to remove the potato peel unless you prefer them to be peeled.
Once your potatoes are cut into long thin strips, put them in a bowl of cold water for about 30 minutes. Switch out the water halfway through. Why soak? Doing this helps to remove excess starch, which helps your fries reach maximum crispiness. Drain the potatoes in a colander and rinse with cold water. After soaking the potatoes it’s important to remove as much of the water as possible. To do this, place half the potatoes on a kitchen towel and spread them out in one layer. Place another towel on top and pat dry. Remove the top towel, let the potatoes air dry for about 5 minutes, and then repeat with the remaining potatoes.
To bake the fries, divide them up on two large baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Drizzle the oil on top, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and just toss with your hands until everything is nicely coated. Spread the potatoes out so there is as little overlap as possible.
Pop both pans in the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Then move the pans so they trade spots in your oven, and bake another 15 to 20 minutes. Take the pans out and give them a toss. If you want them further browned, pop them back in for 2 minutes on broil, switching pans as needed. Give the fries a couple minutes to cool before digging in. Serve with some ketchup alongside a burger, hot dog, chicken nuggets, anything!
If you’re looking for more potato sides dishes, you might like to try Twice Baked Potatoes and Garlic Roasted Red Potatoes, Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Au Gratin Potatoes, and Sweet Potato Fries.
