Learn the key to making amazing fries at home!
Our family goes through a LOT of potatoes, as do most families that eat gluten-free. Most of the time I like to keep things simple when it comes to potatoes, so I’ll just slice them up, season, and bake. It’s simple, quick, and tasty! But recently I’ve been hung up on the idea of making perfectly crispy homemade french fries. It’s something I’ve never quite been able to master, but I couldn’t figure out why until recently!
I’ve made homemade french fries a handful of times in the past, and I’ve tried a lot of different things to try and achieve that elusive, perfectly crispy fry. More oil, less oil, no oil, taking them out halfway through, high heat, low heat, fast cooking, slow cooking… you get the idea. I eventually came across a tip on Pinterest, and discovered the “secret” to achieve the crispness I was looking for. To my surprise, it turned out to be a step that happens before the cooking even starts!
It turns out that the “secret” to deliciously crispy oven fries is a presoak in salted water. Soaking the raw potatoes in salt water releases a lot of their moisture before cooking, so they can crisp up nicely in the oven without turning out overcooked.
Here’s one of my favorite recipes for oven-baked fries, so you can put this method to the test for yourself!
Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees. Slice your potatoes into sticks that are about 1/3″ thick. Place the potatoes into a bowl of cold water, along with a couple of tablespoons of salt. Allow the fries to soak in the salted water for about 15 minutes.
When you’re ready to cook the potatoes, drain them and pat dry.
Spread the fries into a single layer on each baking sheet. Then sprinkle the dried herbs evenly over the potatoes, followed by the cheese and parsley.
Bake until the potatoes are golden brown, about 45 to 50 minutes. Rotating the pans after 30 minutes to ensure they bake evenly.
Removed the finished fries from the sheets and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot, along with your favorite dipping sauce. Yum!
Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees. Slice your potatoes into sticks that are about 1/3” thick. Place the potatoes into a bowl of cold water, along with a couple of tablespoons of salt. Allow the fries to soak in the salted water for about 15 minutes.
Cant wait to try these for dinner tomorrow..
I love this method! I also had an old American Heart Association cookbook recipe that called for tossing the fries before baking in egg white before baking. The eggs were mixed, but not whipped, if I remember correctly. No taste and a very crisp finish.
Love your posts! I’ve followed many of your recommendations and come to your site before Googling anything DIY.
Mine came out soggy esp after coming out of the salt water. The only thing I did different was leave out the cheese and used nutrtional yeast.
You have a great way of explaining how to do quick, easy and economic cooking of food! I’m glad I signed into your site and will continue to follow …God Willing! I also love all the super ideas you put forward for everyday use! In fact, it’s good of you to share your knowledge with everyone!
Can you freeze oven fries? At what stage?
I haven’t tried freezing them before – let me know how it turns out!
Had seen this recipe awhile back and finally got to try tonight. Everyone LOVED them. Definitely a keeper ! Don’t think I would change anything except make a larger batch of them! Thanks for the helpful hints, soaking in salt water was a great idea!
I just made these and they are definitely the easiest, best tasting, crunchy french fries made at home.
Thanks so much for the idea!!!!
I would love to try these. I wanted to let you know that I love your site, so inspiring for every day items that can save time or money or both! Thank you.
Very Incrispy-oven-baked-frieseresting – I will try it.
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