If I’m going to mindlessly consume golden brown, garlicky, crispy French Fries, it seems prudent to cook them in a way that won’t send my cholesterol sky-rocketing and double my fat cell count in one fell swoop. I have somewhat romantic notions about French Fries. Whether dipping Belgian frieten into the nectar of steamed mussels, nibbling on pommes frites alongside a juicy steak au poivre, or munching on British chips from a newspaper cone, fried potatoes have the potential to transport us to quaint bistros in distant lands. Having had great success with Smoky Herb Roasted Potatoes and Baked Zucchini Fries with Feta & Roasted Red Pepper Dipping Sauce, I wanted to create a French fry recipe using the same method. Working off of a recipe found in Bon Appétit Magazine, I sliced russet potatoes into thin strips, tossed with olive oil, and baked until golden brown. While still hot, the fries were then tossed with chopped parsley, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. The result? Crispy, savory fries without the guilt.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
Using 4 medium, unpeeled russet potatoes (about 1 3/4 pounds), cut potatoes lengthwise into slices that are 1/3-inch thick. Cut each slice into 1/3-inch thick strips.
Dry the potatoes between paper towels or kitchen towels. In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, 3 tablespoons olive oil, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Divide the potatoes between 2 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.
Place the cooked potatoes in a large bowl and toss with 2 cloves minced garlic, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, and 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese. Taste (careful – they’ll be hot!) and season with additional salt if necessary. Serve.
Other baked or roasted potato recipes:
Cookin’ Canuck’s Smoky Herb Roasted Potatoes
Kalyn’s Kitchen’s Spicy Sweet Potato Fries
The Arugula Files’ Baked Fries with Chipotle Dipping Sauce
Simply Recipes’ Roasted New Potatoes with Caramelized Onions & Truffle Oil
Baked French Fries with Parsley, Garlic & Parmesan Cheese
Adapted from a Bon Appétit Magazine
4 medium russet potatoes (about 1 3/4 pounds), unpeeled
3 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp kosher salt
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
Salt to taste
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
Cut potatoes lengthwise into slices that are 1/3-inch thick and then cut each slice into 1/3-inch thick strips. Dry the potatoes between paper towels or kitchen towels. In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, olive oil, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Divide the potatoes between 2 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.
Place the cooked potatoes in a large bowl and toss with garlic, parsley, and Parmesan cheese. Taste (careful – they’ll be hot!) and season with additional salt if necessary. Serve.
Makes 4 servings.
April Cavin says
Jan 10, 2010 at 6:17 amI think a whole plate of these would be just fine!
Jenn says
Jan 10, 2010 at 7:44 amI love me some baked fries. That reminds me that I have some potatoes in the veg compartment. ;-D I think I know what's for lunch.
Angie's Recipes says
Jan 10, 2010 at 12:53 pmThey look very crisp even though they are baked.
Jackie says
Jan 10, 2010 at 1:31 pmYUMMM!! Would it be a bad thing to have French Fries for breakfast?
marla (Family Fresh Cooking) says
Jan 10, 2010 at 2:34 pmYou are so right. An indulgence does not need to be a deep fried disaster for it to taste great. These baked fried look divine. Love the addition of parmesan! Must try. Great photos!
Kalyn says
Jan 10, 2010 at 3:59 pmYou're killing me here! (Just kidding, but even these fries are off limits for South Beach.) They do look fantastic. I love baked sweet potato fries, so I'm sure I'd love these too.
Barbara Bakes says
Jan 10, 2010 at 4:17 pmLove the idea of healthy fries!
Norah says
Jan 10, 2010 at 4:24 pmOh those look so good. I'm going to have to make them. Thanks for the recipe!
Chocolate Shavings says
Jan 10, 2010 at 4:43 pmI like the Parmesan touch on these, they look delicious!
Maria says
Jan 10, 2010 at 4:48 pmWe bought a ten pound bag of potatoes for 98 cents. Couldn't pass them up-I guess we will have to make fries:) Love that they are baked!
pegasuslegend says
Jan 10, 2010 at 4:59 pmlove these make them all the time! we love them, yours look wonderful 🙂
Daydreamer Desserts says
Jan 10, 2010 at 5:00 pmThose fries look so good, perfectly crisp! Yum…
Diana says
Jan 10, 2010 at 5:03 pmSound yummy…I just bought potatoes yesterday.
MaryAnn says
Jan 10, 2010 at 5:25 pmHealthy and flavorful way to eat a portion of fries without guilt or diet limitations. Perfect for what I am seeking as my new healthy eating style. Giving some a try for lunch today. Thanks!
Mae says
Jan 10, 2010 at 5:43 pmThe parchment paper is a good touch – I'm going to try this – it'll be a good excuse to run the oven on this chilly day!
My Man's Belly says
Jan 10, 2010 at 6:43 pmI love baked fries, but yours look so much prettier than mine usually do.
Ruth says
Jan 10, 2010 at 7:08 pmOh my, oh my, They look so moorish! Great combination of flavours as usual!
redkathy says
Jan 10, 2010 at 7:09 pmI love roasted potatoes in any shape size or form. Your display is fabulous!
Cookin' Canuck says
Jan 10, 2010 at 7:16 pmI had every intention of answering each of your comments separately this morning, but you guys are too quick! So, I will just say thanks to all of you for your encouraging comments.
My family practically inhaled these last night. We ate them alongside steak and green beans. My potato-phobic son gave these a huge thumbs-up!
Kindra aka "The Meal Planner" says
Jan 10, 2010 at 8:37 pmWow those look incredibly addicting.
Rochelle says
Jan 10, 2010 at 8:53 pmThese fries look great! I make my own too, baking them in the oven but I never thought to use parchment paper to keep them from sticking. That's a great idea that I'll HAVE to remember next time I make some 😀
laby says
Jan 10, 2010 at 9:11 pmLooks yummy and it's never occurred to me to use parchment under fries but that's a great idea!
Tasty Trix says
Jan 10, 2010 at 9:47 pmThis photo causes instant and profuse salivation, and should come with a warning!
kathyvegas says
Jan 10, 2010 at 9:54 pmOh yes! These just look fantastic…garlic fries are all the rage at some of my favorite restaurants.
Brie: Le Grand Fromage says
Jan 10, 2010 at 9:54 pmhomemade french fries are the best! sometimes the oven baked ones are better than frying them. i also line my cookie sheets with tin foil or parchment paper when cooking – super easy clean up! great job!
Bromography says
Jan 10, 2010 at 9:58 pmThis is a dangerous recipe! I could eat these all day.
Lauren @CoffeeMuffins says
Jan 10, 2010 at 10:39 pmThese look great, so crispy! Normally when I make chips I make the fatter kind, but next time I think I'll make french fries. Especially yours with the great flavourings the parmesan in particular caught my attention 🙂
Sometimes I even make them with turnip instead of potatoes, which is lower carb, but I just make them when I have leftover turnip!
Fuji Mama says
Jan 10, 2010 at 11:53 pmMmmmm…they sound divine (even without deep frying)! As long as my fries are crispy I'm happy. 🙂
Cyndi says
Jan 11, 2010 at 12:02 amMy mouth is watering; must make these sometime.
Drick says
Jan 11, 2010 at 1:21 amyep, I agree … a nice big plate would be just great – I pretty much do the same but put parmesan and spices on them before baking….
Mother Rimmy says
Jan 11, 2010 at 2:24 amI'm a fry fanatic! I can't wait to try these. Great photos!
Patsyk says
Jan 11, 2010 at 2:27 amthose french fries have to be extremely hard to resist! Those flavors all in one bite are fabulous!
denise, the prime magpie says
Jan 11, 2010 at 3:31 amThese look amazing! I need to kick up my oven temperature when I do baked fries. I think my iffy success with oven-baked crispness has been a hesitation on the baking temperature. Full speed ahead next time!
Claudia says
Jan 11, 2010 at 3:33 amDelicious! I adored baked fries and I'll walk a mile for anything Parmesan on it!
MrsLavendula says
Jan 11, 2010 at 4:31 amin your opinion, would deep fried potatoes still do with this recipe? im such an oven clutz!
bonnie says
Jan 11, 2010 at 4:39 amOh wow those look awesome, great recipe!!
Cookin' Canuck says
Jan 11, 2010 at 4:39 amThanks again for all of the comments.
Denise, the higher oven temperature in this recipe is the key to the golden brown color and crispiness of the outside of these fries. Give it a shot!
MrsLavendula, deep fried potatoes would work just as well in this recipe. However, if you want something a little healthier, the parchment paper really does make for easy baking and clean-up.
MaryMoh says
Jan 11, 2010 at 9:23 amLove these. I'm sure they are very addictive. I must try them.
Christine says
Jan 11, 2010 at 12:02 pmWow, I have to bake these French fries for my family. Honestly speaking, no matter how old we are, how our health situation is, most of us can't resist to try those fries straight out from oven.
Your baked French fries look so "hot" and good!
penny aka jeroxie says
Jan 11, 2010 at 12:12 pmI can eat it all! Will be making this with my quail!
Chef E says
Jan 11, 2010 at 3:43 pmSince I gave up sugar I crave french fries every week, and this is a great alternative to fried, thanks! I saw Sippitysup tweet this!
Emily Ziegler says
Jan 11, 2010 at 7:12 pmOooh I love potatoes dishes made healthy. This is greeeaaat! I am definitely stealing this one! :o)
oneordinaryday says
Jan 11, 2010 at 9:40 pmA plate of these is pure perfection. Garlic and cheese fries? Oh my!
tasteofbeirut says
Jan 12, 2010 at 12:48 amGreat recipe! Who does not adore french fries? I am going to try it with sweet potatoes too. Thanks.
By the way, I have got some free goodies I brought back with me from Lebanon, all organic and locally produced, in case you are interested; check my blog!
Divina Pe says
Jan 12, 2010 at 2:09 pmThey're even better than the deep fried ones.
Carol Egbert says
Jan 13, 2010 at 4:49 pmWow. Delicious!
Squeaky Gourmet says
Jan 13, 2010 at 5:43 pmI love the garlic idea! Thank you!
Snooty Primadona says
Jan 14, 2010 at 6:37 amOMG! Sheer Heaven!
mycookinghut says
Jan 17, 2010 at 10:33 amVery interesting combo
CherylK says
Feb 2, 2010 at 2:52 amWell, this is embarrassing…I made a mistake in my comment and decided to edit it except you can't edit these comments…so I deleted it. Looks like I need to explain myself :-).
What I was trying to say is that this recipe looks delicious and easy to do and must certainly taste better than deep fried french fries and I am not waiting until the Super Bowl to make them. That's it.
Kim McDougal, Ordinary Recipes Made Gourmet says
Feb 6, 2010 at 1:25 amI'm making these tonite!!!!!!!!!!
CherylK says
Feb 7, 2010 at 10:58 pmJust stopping back to tell you that I made these a few days ago. I was out of parchment so I used aluminum foil.
I noticed when I went to turn them the first time that they were sticking to the foil so I scraped them off the foil as good as I could and baked them on the pan.
They were a little broken up but they were just delicious, anyway! My husband LOVED them so this recipe is a keeper. But I will be sure to always have parchment in my pantry.
Kim says
Sep 19, 2010 at 11:33 pmOhhh i love oven fries. Your photo sucked me right in fromn the get go. 🙂
Farmgirl Susan says
Jan 2, 2011 at 2:07 pmOh, these look so good! Good thing I'm still in the planning stages for this year's kitchen garden – I suddenly feel the need to allot more space to potatoes. ; )
Happy New Year!
French'Licious says
Jun 16, 2012 at 11:57 amWhaou, it seems so delicious 🙂 Thanks for the recipe.
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