Baked French Fries
French fries don’t have to be unhealthy. Try baked French Fries and put them back on your menu!
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Hopefully, this does not disappoint anyone or burst any bubbles, but french fries are not French. In fact, it’s tough to say for sure where french fries originated; however, researchers are pretty sure they came from Belgium and were not immediately called french fries. As one story goes, the Belgians used the fries to replace fish during meals when the rivers were too frozen to catch anything. Eventually, the popularity of french fries spread across Belgium, and France fell in love with them, making them popular enough throughout France that the salty potato sticks became “French fries.” Some claim their popularity follows the First World War, when G.I.s in Belgium discovered them. Given the proliferation of French in Belgium, perhaps the soldiers assumed they were in France, and so, referred to these snacks as French fries.
Wherever they came from, we are all thankful. This particular type, which we will look at in the following recipe, is extra wonderful since the fries are not deep-fried in oil, making them a healthier option.
I have never been a big “frying” person since I don’t need or want the extra fat in my life that comes from deep frying foods. Because of that, I resigned myself to the fact that I would never make homemade french fries despite them being one of my favorite foods. We all have that one food we will indulge in now and then when out to eat, and for me, it’s french fries. Discovering how to bake them has been a game changer for me. Now, I make fries often and eat them without the guilt… just a little ketchup.
Are baked French Fries Healthy?
Potatoes are carbs, so I can’t recommend french fries to those practicing the keto or low-carb diet. For others, though, baked french fries are dairy- and gluten-free, and the only fat is in the olive oil, which is considered a good fat and critical to heart health. Still, keto dieters need fries, too, which is why I developed this recipe for keto-friendly french fries.
Although potatoes are a carbohydrate, they are a healthy option if you can eat carbs in moderation. They are loaded with potassium, which is necessary for a healthy nervous system, muscles, and heart. They also contain some vitamin C, a potent antioxidant needed for our immune system to operate well. Baked french fries are an excellent vegan snack or side dish and suitable for many diets.
The secret to fabulous Baked french fries
The secret is in the soak. Potatoes are incredibly starchy, and that starchiness makes it challenging to crisp up the french fries. The reason it is essential to soak the potatoes before cooking them is because the water pulls out the starch. The result is a crispier french fry.
INGREDIENTS
- 4 large baking potatoes
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon seasoned salt (or lemon pepper)
INSTRUCTIONS
Prep
Preheat the oven and prepare your potatoes, leaving the skin on for extra texture and nutrients.
Soak
Soak the cut fries to remove starch, which will help them crisp up when baked.
Season
Toss the fries with olive oil and seasoning, then spread them out on a baking sheet.
Bake
Start baking at a lower temperature, then crank it up to get that perfect golden crispiness.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
How do I prep and store these fries?
There are a few ways to prep and store homemade, baked french fries. First, you can make a large batch to freeze and take out fries as you need them. For that method, skip the oil, seasoned salt, and baking steps. Cut the potatoes and soak them, then lay them on a baking sheet in a single layer. Place the sheet in the freezer and freeze the french fries. Once frozen, put the fries into Ziploc storage bags and put them back in the freezer to store for up to six months. When it’s time to use the fries, defrost the amount you need, then add the oil and seasoned salt, and bake them. After you have made baked french fries and want to store leftovers, place them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days.
Why aren’t my fries crispy?
If you have followed all of the steps and you still don’t have crispy fries, it may be that they aren’t getting dry enough. After soaking, the potatoes have a lot of water in them. If you go over them once with a paper towel to soak up moisture and find there is a lot of moisture on the paper towel, you may need to go over them one more time. Any moisture that is left will inhibit the crispiness of the fries.
What is a baking potato?
A baking potato is a Russet or Idaho potato. They are usually the biggest potatoes you will find in the grocery store. They are a high-starch potato, a great size for french fries, and dense enough to handle the slicing, oil, and baking to become a french fry. Although you soak the potatoes to remove as much starch as possible, you will still benefit from the starch that remains in a baking potato since the starch helps french fries to become fluffy inside.
Serving Suggestions
French fries are the ultimate American side dish. We love them at summer barbecues, dipped in ketchup, mustard, vinegar, or whatever dipping sauce is used according to our region. At mealtime, there may be no more iconic food to go with fries than the classic burger. For a healthy twist on the classic, try the black bean power burger with avocado crema. Yes, it’s as fantastic as it sounds. Or how about a jalapeno popper burger with ranch? A little spice to go with your salty french fries.
Of course, we can’t leave out the All-American hot dog; however, we can make it a little more nutritious than a regular one. These bacon-wrapped hot dogs use turkey wieners and turkey bacon for a lower-fat option. Toss some baked french fries on the side, and you have one delicious meal. Baked french fries can be more than a side dish. I think it’s a lot of fun to top the fries with all kinds of goodies, such as keto-chili, cheese, and onions.
Baked French Fries (Oven Fries)
French fries don’t have to be unhealthy. Try baked French Fries and put them back on your menu!
Servings 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 large baking potatoes
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon seasoned salt or lemon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Wash the potatoes, keeping the skin on for added nutrients (you can peel them if you prefer). Cut the potatoes into your desired size for fries.
- Soak the cut potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes to remove excess starch, which helps in achieving crispiness. After soaking, thoroughly dry the potatoes to ensure they crisp up in the oven.
- Toss the dried potato fries with olive oil and your choice of seasoned salt or lemon pepper to coat them evenly. Arrange the fries in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Bake the fries for 20 minutes at 375°F. Then increase the oven temperature to 425°F and continue baking for an additional 20-25 minutes until the fries are golden and crispy.
- DEVOUR!
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