Well – I was talking to my good friend yesterday and he said “Zesty…. why don’t you create a simple step by step way to create french fries – healthy style”. So I thought to myself and said “self lets do it”. If you’re anything like me – you love french fries. Below you will find a simple step by step set of instructions on how to create delicious homemade french fries that everyone in the family will enjoy and are not that bad for your waistline.
Zesty tip: I use a Mandoline for quick and perfectly cut fries.
Ingredients
- 5 Large Roasting Potatoes
- 2 Tbsp. Olive Oil
- Salt and Pepper to Taste
Method
- Begin with some nice roasting potatoes as shown here. While you’re doing that – lets preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Then Peel and Wash the potatoes to prepare for slicing.
- Here is my tool I use for slicing – If you don’t have this or a mandoline just use your knife and be sure to cut the french fries even in size to ensure even cooking.
- Once sliced, place the potatoes in a bowl and cover with water.
- I like to have the potatoes soak in salted water for about 30 minutes to release some of the starch and allow the fries to crisp up in the oven.
- After the 30 minutes elapsed – it is time we dry the potatoes. This is a crucial step. If the potatoes are not completely dry, they will not crisp up as nicely and the moisture will cause them to steam in the oven.
- Lets go ahead and lay the potatoes on some parchment paper, season them with salt and pepper and brush some olive oil on the tops of them. Once in the oven, ensure that you turn them periodically to ensure even browning. Bake for about 45 minutes or until golden brown.
Here is the final product…. crispy and yummy! Get you favorite dipping sauce out and ENJOY!
Be sure to let me know your favorite french fries whether it be a favorite fast food chain or a special way you make them at home… Can’t wait to hear from you.
Zesty
{ 121 comments… read them below or add one }
I love your slicing tool! These looks amazing! My favorite fries are sweet potato fries!
Another healthy fry is sweet potato fries, (made the same way) they are yummy too!
Megan JUST said that…
My favorite are sweet potato fries!
You could try doing same with sweet potatoes.
Have you tried using sweet potatoes? They work well.
These look great! I love fries of any kind.
OMG! Those fries look amazing!
I like to make sweet potato fries that I season with cumin, cinnamon, coriander, chili powder, garlic powder, salt & pepper and some oil from my mister. I roast them at 450 for about 25 minutes. YUM!
Great step by step guide, now I will be able to get my fries crispier!!
I often make oven “fries” since I’m pretty much in love with all things made out of potatoes. Never thought to soak the potatoes before baking, though. Thanks for the tip!
Those look so good! I love using a mandolin, makes slicing so much easier and quicker.
WOW. These look great! Thanks for the step-by-step photos, and the good method. Yay.
You know, it’s going to be all I can do to not gain like 50 pounds this winter with all the good foodie blog posts I’ve been reading lately.
+Jessie
a.k.a. The Hungry Mouse
Those really do look amazing! and what could be more simple, right?
I luv this healthy version of french fries! Can’t wait to try it out.
I so wish that I had a mandolin slicer for this very purpose! Homemade, perfectly uniform, french fries! Beautiful work
Mmm…those fries look delicious. I’ve never tried to bake my own fries, but this post has just inspired me to do so!
Looks delicious! I actually have sweet potato fries on my to-do list for the week, I’ll try making them with this method.
wow, that was simple! loved the step by step photos XP
hope you could do that more often ^^
Mmmmm…fries.
What brand of slicer do you have, and would you recommend it? I’m looking to get myself a mandolin (or at least put it on my Christmas Wish List), and I’m not really sure what I should be looking for in a good quality one. Should I go with plastic or stainless steel?
Thanks everyone… looks like alot of people love the step by step instructions… I will continue to do that in my new posts where recipes are involved.
I do love sweet potatoes as well so maybe I will have to whip up a batch of those… I find they work best using the deep fryer method. Does anyone agree or disagree with that?
Thanks Again
Zesty
Marianne – I would likely go with a stainless steel one. Mine is very old ( maybe 10 years old) As far as brands I am not sure which is the best. I added a link on the site to cooking.com. I think they are all pretty well even in quality if you stick with stainless steel. That would be my recommendation.
zesty
I love making homemade fries. Sooo good.
These look so great! I have craving fries like crazy. I have to get one of those handy slicers. I am never any good at getting them the same size. Thanks for the step by step. Mine never turn out that beautiful and I think I was missing a few important things along the way!
Those look fantastic. I really want to try my hand at home made fries and I need to eat healthy.
Think you could tackle Sweet Potato Fries as well?
Hey Zesty, where’d you get that slicer? I’ve seen the ones that make super thin slices for potato chips but I’d love to get one of those. I do the same thing as you but I cut the potatoes (or sweet potatoes) into big fat wedges, like steak fries. These look a lot more like the classic fast food fries, great stuff!
Wow, these fries make me hungry and even more so knowing that they are healthy!
I did it before but it didn’t turn out right. Now I know why, must make sure that it’s dried.
how do i not own a mandolin?? my fiance is afraid i’ll chop my fingers off, but i put it on our registry anyways… these look amazing!
Sounds great! I like to use honey as a dipping sauce for my french fries…actually I like to dip everything in honey!!!
mmm…delicious!
wow, the tool make the slice become so easy! many years back, i use the knife and cut it one by one, without using any tool!
thats what i just did :/
Looks DELICIOUS!! Great blog, will add you to my favs, Carm
Thanks for the suggestion of stumble its a fun program finally ran across yours!
am i the only one who doesn’t know what slated water is do you mean salted water
voodootrucker, thanks for the heads up, typo fixed!
i love french fries but the fried part is soo bad for you….i am up for ANYTHING that is healthy! yum!
this recipe doesn’t require any greasy frying
Just made em and they turned out great! I used garlic salt as well and they tasted great!
Thanks!
Oh, and McCain shoestring are my faves
I need to eat these. I know it’s Thanksgiving and all… but when I’m done with this turkey and mashers…it’s all about these fries!
This idea will be my dinner with some garlic I suppose
your oven fries look wonderful. i’ve never used a mandolin to slice, but use a hand slicer that looks rather like a box. i like to coat the potatoes with a mixture of salt, pepper, and cayenne now and again for my own seasoned fries.
Yummo that is a great picture and the fries look to die for. The carnival is up and thank you for participating (SFF Blog Carnival)
YUM – I am a french fry freak – seriously, I am going to try these!
Those fries look *delicious* and like something I could make!
Simple and healthy! That’s what I like. Great recipe.
These look AMAZING. i was sure you deep-fried them to get that result but in the oven it’s even better ans super easy!
Thanks for this recipe! I’m going to make them tonight for dinner. Yes!
My favorite fry recipe is usually sweet potato fries made in the oven with olive oil and seasoned salt — but they always come out a little soggy. Your soak and dry method sounds like just what they need to come out crisp and delightful!
I want to know more about the tool. Does it have a name? Do you know where I can get one? If you find it at a place where you’re an affiliate, I’ll click through to purchase. These look gorgeous.
Healthy French fries? Who knew there was such a thing. Yum!
This is my all time favourite way of making fries… i like them even better than the greasy fast food ones!
I don’t know if this constitutes as a french fry, but I cut mine leaving the skin on and then soak them in cold water. Then I rinse them and toss them in olive oil, a little seasoning salt, Mrs. Dash and Oregano. They are soooo yummy!
Would love to see more comments about how they are AFTER they were made…not how great they look in the pic.
Hi H. I made some last night and they really are good
Awesome – I am inspired to go and buy a “mandolin slicer” and make these french fries. They say a bit of olive oil is good for you, so these really are healthy.
My husband and I just made these for the first time. We substituted butter for the olive oil … Yum!
I do my French Fries with the skins on.
No choice of potatoes here in Thailand. I just buy fairly large potatoes, wash thoroughly, cut and soak in cold water for an hour or so. Dry and fry in Soy Bean oil or do the oven frying.
I bought my slicer thru Pampered Chef. It came with 4 different blades. Cost about 50.00 but it is well worth it
I second that, Brandy! I LOVE my Pampered Chef Slicer, had it for years and works like a charm for just about everything! Oh, and it’s top rack dishwasher safe!
I love homemade fries. I usually fry them though which can be messy sometime. So I’ll have to try baking them. Thanks for the great idea.
Great recipe, really helpful! Thanks!
very yummy! I cut the potatoes a little to thin, its hard to cut evenly without a special tool, so some were a little crispier then others, but i thin it made them a nice blend of crispy and a little less crispy! very tasty!!
this looks like a really good recipe i will try it!
Okay this may seem like a silly question but my fries ended up sticking to the parchment paper. It was impossible to turn them. I ended up scrapping them off about halfway through the cooking time. Now they look bad. I am sure they will taste great, but how do I keep this from happening? The fries had oil all the way around them so I am not sure why this happened.
These were really good! Instead of going by the recipe, though, I made potato wedges and baked for about 50 minutes. I put oil on the bottom of the pan as well as the top, and used salt and chili powder. Also, definitely leave the skin on. They’re a lot better that way : D
was excited to try them only to find out i have no parchment paper….would it ruin the result? Can a foil be used instead? Sorry, silly question but I am not really a good cook so i had to follow what is asked. Thanks
@Jen – I would be concerned that the french fries would stick to the tin foil. You could use a cooking spray or an olive oil toss to help prevent the sticking
no i will not ruin the result because i didnt have no parchment paper but it still came out great..
These fries look really good. I have wanted to try homemade french fries for awhile instead of the nasty ones you get at a fast food resturant. I would really like to try it with sweet potato but i am wondering if they would turn out the same way or if i would have to find a completely different recipe.
@Victroria – You can try this recipe – http://zestycook.com/baked-sweet-potato-fries-anyone/ for the sweet potato version.
Zest
1) Choose an Idaho Russet potato. Russet Burbanks if you can get them.
2) Condition the potato by storing in a 70 degree environment for a couple of weeks (potatoes coming out of cold storage need time to convert sugars back to starch).
3) Cut the potatoes into the desired fry size, similar size the fast food places you prefer..
4) Soak the cut potato strips in room temperature water for at least 8 hours, overnight is good (this soaking plumps up the cells within the potatoes to result in an improved texture). DO NOT USE ICE WATER OR REFRIGERATE!
5) Dry the potato strips and fry in 300 degree oil until just cooked inside and limp, fry time is dependent on the thickness of the fry strip. Let cool.
6) Bring oil to 375 degrees and fry until golden brown and crispy.
7) Of course, use beef fat, properly twice fried fries will not soak up fat.
Important, work in controlled sized batches that doesn’t drop the frying temperature significantly.
What’s the point of endeavoring to produce the very best french fry and then compromising the taste with a neutral tasting fry oil.
Maintain the fry temp or the fries will absorb fat.
9) Rice Bran Oil is the best alternative to those that have a aversion to beef fat.
In & Out restaurants are noted for excellent fries, they fry in Rice Bran Oil.
How long does is typically required for the potatoes to be “completely dry?”
@Megan – I like to soak them and then pat them dry in a tea towel or paper towel. Letting them dry for about 10-15 minutes should be fine
yup Im going to try this right now. =)
The only change I would make, don’t peel them first. The skins are GREAT!
We tried your fry recipe and they were really, really great. They were the best that we have ever made at home! Thank you so much for sharing them with us. The best homemade fries that we have ever, ever eaten anywhere in this world were at a little island themed restaurant over in NC, near Asheville, the place was called “kutcharitaville Cafe”. There we ordered their world’s greatest cheese burgers. “Oh” They were really the best burgers that we have ever sunk our teeth into, and we even had them MR, How Cool Is That? Anyway back to the topic. That place serves those awesome homemade fries with those killer burgers! They should also put up a sign that says, “The world’s greatest homemade fries too.” Cause they really were!
Another thing that they serve is “The World’s Greatest Key Lime Pie”. That pie is the best thing that I have ever put in my mouth!
The whole family agrees with that. Lets see, the world’s greatest cheese burgers, the world’s greatest homemade fries and the world’s greatest key lime pie. You might as well say too, the world’s greatest bar-with all those tall cool island drinks. All that together, in one place, I guess that you could call, “Kutcharitaville Cafe” of Kutchie’s Key West, “The World’s Greatest Restaurant”. The only thing I didn’t like about it was that crocodile there, watching us eat. That sort of gave me the willies. Kutcharitaville Cafe is a must go-to place before you die! And That’s A Fact. If I’m lien, I’m dieing. And like the VP said just today, “This is a Big F—ing Deal”.
The Best too you, enjoy…..Anthony Bourdain
Anthony, exactly WHERE is that little cafe near Asheville. I was born there but not been back in quite a while but would love to try that cafe since burgers and fries are my very fav. Thanks
@ lisa….. try a silicone mat
Ohhhh – so THAT is what that attachment is for….who knew
Thanks Z!
loved this recipe and all the pics!
Thanks Dana
Okay, I used a Progressive French Fry Cutter which I used to cut the potatoes, skin attached. I let the cut potatoes soak (but without salt) for about 15 minutes, then patted them dry with paper towels. I sprinkled Tony Chachere’s Cajun Seasoning (a staple in this family) and cooked it at 375º for about 30 minutes, then pulled the tray out to coat with olive oil. I did increase the temp to 400º and put the tray back inside the oven. I turned the fries over a couple of times during the next hour. The result is a nice batch of spicy fries. Love it! Love it! Love it! Thank you!
I’m just baking my Healthy Homeade French Fries right know, i just put them in! I can’t wait til i taste the final product!
Thanks, this look simple and yummy!
I make fries by coating them in oil and bake them in the oven. They taste delicious with just salt.
Thanks for sharing this recipe. My wife and I LOVE FRENCH FRIES. We are actually working on our first batch of these right now. We can’t wait to taste them!
We were looking for french fry instructions and your method looks good. We also want to freeze the fries. After soaking, is it Ok to freeze the fries for later cooking?
@Keith – I have never tried that Keith….. not 100% on that one but I do not see why not.
I did not read this first, So I did not soak or rinse my potatoes, wonder if they will just be sogged out?
I just sharted
Hi Zestycook….I have tried these fries several times. My husband and I both love french fries and need to eat healthy. On all attempts to make these fries I have used our french fry cutter. I soak the fries in salt water for approx 30 mins and then cook for 1 hour. My fries come out really tough instead of nice and crispy. Any tips as to what could be going wrong? In your write up, you don’t say how much salt to use to soak in. I just pour some in the water out of my salt box and go from there. Any help you, or anyone else can give would be greatly apperciated. Thanks!!
Hello Zestycook,
I’m always looking for recipes that will ‘fool’ my kids into thinking they are not eating “Dad’s boring healthy dinners” and will probably cook a meal inspired by your chicken nuggets and fries recipes later on this week. I usually do a bit of a write up on my blog, and take a picture to show everyone how it came out – I will mention where I got the recipe/idea from (if ok with yourself) and point people to your site here, as there are some great recipes – well done.
what is the BEST way to slice these babies??
can someone e-mail me? bargaingalbeth@gmail.com
Just made them- they turned out great! This recipe is a keeper- Thank you!
I think those are the first baked fries I’ve seen that look really good. The ones I’ve made came out dry every time so this recipe looks like it’s worth a try.
Mike
I just started recently making homemade fries for the first time, but they didn’t crisp as much as I wanted them too. Now I realize I should have soaked them first in water. I wasnt sure if the temperature of the water mattered, so I pretty much used lukewarm water and it came out alright. I kept the skin on though, since I find it quite enjoyable. Well done recipe.
Just tried making these fries. WOW my 8 year old daughter who loves fast food fries thinks these are delicious! So tasty she wants to have them every night!
Thanks for the healthy alternative for fast food fries. These are way better than the drive thru fast food joints!
Happy Holidays!
Ann and Annaliza
Simple and satisfying,thanks for the info about soaking in salted water to release the starch I think this will clear up issues with previous wonky batches.I’ve been parboiling/ steaming first to cut down on the wait time
Thanks for the step-by-step walkthrough….Mine turned out “almost” like the picture….they were delicious!!!
My fries looked dry, but when I put salt on them, they got REALLY wet. I did 15 minutes of drying, was that still not long enough?
hmmm that should be enough time to dry. Did you put the salt on before cooking or after?
Hey Zesty, man those fries look amazing!! I’m gonna go try them out right now. I love how you made those fries and even the step-by-step guide was AMAZING!!! almost no room for questions! LOL, but I still have one. How exactly do you ‘brush’ the potatoes in olive oil? Idk how to do that… with a real brush like for apple pies or with a fork or spoon? I’m going to use a knife or something for now because I really can’t wait to try that!!! Anyway please get back to me and thank you sooo much for this version of healthy fries, it’s the best ever!
thanks man, you rock!
Zoey
oh yah and i forgot to tell you that my oven doesn”t work from the top so that reeeeaaaallllllllyyyyyy sucks
I couldn’t convince my girlfriend to make these for me, so I did it myself. SO worth it. They were the best fries I ever had! I ended up substituting a little non-stick cooking spray instead of parchment paper, but they still worked out great.
O.M.G i am so hungry after looking at those perfectly made fries i am just 12 years old and i feel like making my own right now . Of course i would need my mom for help but she is asleep and right now i am about to use your step by step guide to make my own.Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Danyella!
I just made these for lunch and they were AMAZING!
YUM! These are healthy AND delicious. I’ve made oven fries before but I’ve never soaked them. I’m glad I read this post because now my fries are nice and crispy! I usually use seasoned salt and garlic salt on my fries but every once in a while, I coat them with oil and then sprinkle a package of dry ranch dressing!
I got 2 useful extra tips.
tip1:For extra tasty fries add 1/2 tsp vinaiger (I use coconut vinaiger) into the bowl with the freshly cut chips and water and keep it for some few houres in the fridge, before baking.
tip2: For extra crispy french fries, bake it for 40 min., take it out for 5 min. and take it back in for another 5 mins baking.
I was planning dinner for tonight (I’m 14) and was looking up recipes for homemade fries to go with stuffed burgers. These look absolutely perfect!! I’m going to do rosemary and seasalt ones with a garlic aioli like some we had in California. They ere my favorite(: thanks for the great recipe!!!!!!!
Our favorite is red potatos they are much tastier
i just made this… DELICIOUS!!!!!!!!!! one word though. At first I just put them on the pan and they started to stick. BUT luckily I payed attention to the “turn periodically” and I caught it in time. SO what i did is I put foil down on the pan (I use a pizza pan) and then I brushed the pan with olive oil and then i transferred my potatoes and it saved them. it turned out SOOO GOOOOOOD. SO CRISPY. i think these are more crispier then frying it. I followed all the directions. I brushed the fried with olive oil to cover all the surfaces lightly. then i put some salt and pepper. you can also add a little feta cheese and rosemary at about half way to make them EVEN MORE DELICIOUS. thank you.. MUCH EASIER than frying it and healthier since its olive oil and not drenched in animal fat…yuk. wow i just notice this post is from 2008. greetings from 2011! lol.
oops i meant “i brushed the fries/potatoes” hehe.. gosh darn key is close to the S key lol
hi y mine never taste as good as mcdonalds fries ..lonnie
The reason they don’t taste the same is because McDonald’s deep fries the french fries. This is the healthier way (baking), so they won’t taste the same.
Saludos!Quiero agregar que lo que expones en tu pagina refleja mis propios pensamientos.
Just made this recipe tonight for myself and my fiancee. He usually hates the store-bought frozen french fries, but he ate these all up! Thanks so much!
I’ve been trying to make “baked fries” for ages, and I think the salt water soaking and drying is what I’ve been missing. I’ve always just cut them up and stuck ‘em in the oven. My local fruit store has lovely potatoes and I always buy way too many. This is an awesome way to use them up. I don’t know a single human that doesn’t LOVE fries.
The Mandolin is a KILLER for this. It literally warps time.
You are talking about roasting potatoes.
Do I have to roast the potatoes before?
How long?
Thank you
I was wondering what kind of slicer you used to make the french fries.
TThe bestÉÉ
I’ve had the fries in the oven for 45 mins and they aren’t even brown yet. I am using Foil and the fries are starting to stick to the bottom. This is the 2nd attempt at making homemade fries and this is what usually happens.
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