Crispy Oven Baked Fries

Like most children, my boys love fast food French Fries.  And let’s be honest here: I love French Fries, too.  What I don’t love is all of the oil.  I’ve tried to make baked fries before, but the often come out mushy and disappointing.  So after several trials and lot of potatoes later, here are the keys to nice Crispy Oven Baked Fries:

1.      Slice thin.  They don’t have to be matchsticks, but you don’t want wedges either.

2.    Soak in salted water for at least 1 hour.  This will release a lot of the starch.

3.    Pat the fries dry or the corn starch will turn to paste instead of adhering

4.    Bake on a cooling rack. This allows more air to get around the fries with an added bonus of no flipping!  Just be sure that there is space between the fries, too, or you’re right back to soggy.

Follow these steps and you’re on your way to the crispiest baked fries you’ve tasted!

Recipe Notes:

*My favorite potatoes are large red potatoes, but to get a long, elegant fry, use a russet potato.

*If you are in a rush, bake your frozen fries using the same method – result: no flipping and crispy fries!

*Add your favorite herbs and spices when you add the olive oil!

*You can peel the potatoes, if you’d like, but my family eats the fries with those nutritious skins, so I don’t.

Crispy Oven Baked Fries

An Amy’s Cooking Adventures Original Recipe

1 large baking potato

1 tbsp corn starch

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

½ tsp salt

Scrub the potato clean and dry.  Cut into thin fries.  Place the fries into a large bowl of salted water (about 1 tsp).  Set aside for 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Drain the fries and pat dry.  Put the fries into a zipper bag with the corn starch.  Seal and shake until the fries are coated.  Add the olive oil and salt.  Seal and shake again until coated.

Place a wire cooling rack on top of a baking sheet.  Place the fries (perpendicular to the grates) onto the rack, making sure there is space between the fries.  Bake for 20-25 minutes or until browned and crispy.  Sprinkle with another ¼ teaspoon of salt and serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.