Perfect for game day snacking or serving alongside steak or burgers, these baked fries are seasoned with chile peppers and cilantro.
Another Christmas has come and gone, but we have a treasure trove of memories packed away. We shared some good laughs over some memorable family stories and had a couple of minor kitchen mishaps. As I was making my Green Beans with Balsamic Roasted Shallots, I plucked a bright green bean out of the water to taste-test it. Ten seconds later, my brother-in-law looked at me in disbelief as he asked, "Did you just eat half of that green bean and throw the other half back into the water?" A look of realization and horror spread over my face before we both burst into laughter. For the rest of the meal, we joked about who would be lucky enough to find the nibbled remnants of a green bean on their plate. Thank goodness for family forgiveness.
The afternoon was spent cooking and watching my boys discover their new toys, such as their pogo sticks, Nerf bow and arrow, and toolboxes.
They became honorary Canucks as they proudly wore the Vancouver hockey jerseys and hats my parents gave them. Oh, how that makes my heart fill with Canadian pride.
Even with all of the generous presents received and the fantastic food consumed, the best part was letting ourselves become entwined in the magic of the day. With two young boys around, it is impossible not to feel the excitement and wonder of Christmas. As my husband said, "It is a very good day to be a kid." We look forward to several days of relative quiet and lighter eating.
After consuming pounds of Nutella Chocolate Fudge with Sea Salt and Chocolate & Peppermint Wedding Cookies over the past several weeks, it is time to think about lightening things up a little. At the beginning of the year, I made Baked French Fries with Garlic, Parsley and Parmesan. Now, almost a year later, I decided to make another version of this easy, healthy snack, this time seasoning the fries with chile peppers and cilantro. The aroma - ethereal. The taste and texture - well, I will let you decide for yourself, but let me warn you...you will not be able to eat just one.
The recipe:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
Cut potatoes lengthwise into slices that are ⅓-inch thick and then cut each slice into ⅓-inch thick strips. Dry the potatoes between two kitchen towels.
In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, 3 tablespoons olive oil, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt.
Divide the potatoes between two baking sheets lined with parchment paper, spread into a single layer.
Bake until the potatoes are golden brown, about 40 minutes, turning the potatoes every 10 minutes, and rotating the racks halfway through baking.
Heat 1 teaspoon olive in a small nonstick skillet set over medium heat. Add garlic and jalapenos and cook until fragrant, about 1 minutes. Take care not to burn the garlic.
Place the cooked potatoes in a large bowl and toss with garlic, peppers, and cilantro. Taste (careful – they’ll be hot!) and season with additional salt, if necessary. Serve.
Other baked French fries recipes:
Baked French with Garlic, Parsley & Parmesan Cheese
Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Za'atar
Printable Recipe
Baked French Fries Recipe with Chile Peppers & Cilantro
Ingredients
- 4 medium russet potatoes about 1 ¾ pounds, unpeeled
- 3 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon olive oil divided
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- ¾ large red jalapeno chile seeded & membranes removed
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- Cut potatoes lengthwise into slices that are ⅓-inch thick and then cut each slice into ⅓-inch thick strips. Dry the potatoes between two kitchen towels.
- In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, 3 tablespoons olive oil, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Divide the potatoes between two baking sheets lined with parchment paper, spread into a single layer.
- Bake until the potatoes are golden brown, about 40 minutes, turning the potatoes every 10 minutes, and rotating the racks halfway through baking.
- Heat 1 teaspoon olive in a small nonstick skillet set over medium heat. Add garlic and jalapenos and cook until fragrant, about 1 minutes. Take care not to burn the garlic.
- Place the cooked potatoes in a large bowl and toss with garlic, peppers, and cilantro. Taste (careful – they’ll be hot!) and season with additional salt, if necessary. Serve.
Nutrition
Jeanette
Great healthy way to enjoy fries. Love the fresh peppers and cilantro on top!
Heather
Wow. Yes, I definitely want these!!
Mother Rimmy
I love the picture of the boys! So cute! Happy New Year to you and your family. I look forward to visiting your blog in the coming new year!
Kristi
SMITH BITES
OMG - those boys are sooooooo cute!!! and i LOVE these fries - you're right, after all the sweet/fat/heavy stuff we've been eating for a month, these will be a welcomed treat!
Suzanne
OK. YUM! You always pique my southwestern taste buds. And my eyes are always totally mesmerized by your photos. These have to happen in my kitchen soon!!!!
Jason Phelps
We have a food truck in Boston that makes fries with rosemary in the fryer. You know when they put a batch down because you can smell it! Both recipes you have shared seem worthy a try at home. I did get a mandolin earlier in the year and haven't used the fry setting yet!
Jason
Tracy
I love homemade French fries; they are the best! Love your combination of flavors and will definitely have to try it!
warmvanillasugar
Oh my goodness, these look wonderful!
SeattleDee
I loved this family-centric post! and I really like the notion of baked fiery french fries being light, healthy fare. YUM!
sweetlife
what a funny story..and perfect fires, love the flavor combo...cute pics,
sweetlife
happy holidays!
Barbara Bakes
Sounds like a perfect Christmas Day. Love the idea of baked fries. I need to make them more often.
Cookin' Canuck
Emily - This isn't actually terribly time-consuming and, since there's no hot oil being used, the clean-up is easy, too.
TIffany - Cilantro seems to be either a "love it" or "hate it" kind of herb. I'm definitely in the "love it" camp, too.
Jenny - Thank you. They had a ball on Christmas day. I hope yours did, too!
Shannon - Thank you so much for your sweet comment. I hope you enjoy the chowder - that's one of our favorites.
Shannon
I absolutely love your recipes! I made the Nutella Fudge w/ Sea Salt and Chocolate Peppermint Wedding cookies and both were delicious! Everyone went crazy over the fudge. I think it will be an annual tradition for me now. Tonight I will be making your Chicken, Corn and Potato Chowder. I am telling everyone I know about your blog!
Jenny
Love seeing pics of your cute family Dara! Your fries look to die for too 🙂
Tiffany
Cilantro is one of my favorite things in life and peppers are my husband's - garlic to boot, and we'd be one happy family with these!!
Thanks for sharing!
Emily Malloy
I am drooooling. Homemade french fries are the best! Good thing they're time consuming because I'd make them all the time and be 10lbs heavier 😉
Cookin' Canuck
Thanks so much for all of your kind comments. These fries are one of my favorite "treats" to make for my family. I love that there is very little guilt that goes along with them.
Nancy
I remember when my boys were they age of yours - a truly magical time! But no worries, even at 17 and 15 it is still wonderful!!
I honestly love this type of fry and the chile and cilantro takes them over the top!!
Jean
What a great topping for baked french fries. I bet these disappeared fast. This reminds me to cook with potatoes more often.
Your boys are adorable!
Kay Heritage
Too good to be true! Baked fries packed with flavor! Great looking recipe, Dara!