We’ve made oil-free french fries earlier than, however this new and improved methodology yields PERFECT french fries which are crispy on the surface, tender on the within, and tossed in a spicy Cajun-style spice mix for max taste.
The result’s crispy fries that aren’t dried out and have BIG taste. Plus, only a handful of components, no fancy gear, and easy strategies required. Allow us to present you the way it’s completed!
Make Crispy Baked Fries
When you’ve ever questioned the way to make baked french fries which are crispy on the surface however not dried out on the within, you’re in the suitable place!
The primary secret is to boil the potatoes earlier than baking them. After they’re boiled till tender, you’ll lower them into wedges or strips for baking.
Our second tip: Don’t crowd the potatoes. When baking, you wish to have loads of house between them and ideally simply prepare dinner one baking sheet at a time.
And the third? When you’ve got a convection setting in your oven, use it! If not, it should nonetheless work, simply bake for barely longer.
Cajun Seasoning
For seasoning these fries, we opted for cajun-inspired taste!
Cajun meals originated in southern Louisiana. It’s named after the French colonists (Acadians) who settled within the space after being forcibly faraway from the Acadia area of Canada. (supply)
Together with onion, celery, and bell peppers, cajun seasoning is without doubt one of the major components used so as to add taste to cajun cooking.
Cajun seasoning sometimes consists of spices corresponding to paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, cayenne, and herbs corresponding to thyme and/or oregano. You possibly can be taught extra about Cajun seasoning (vs. Creole seasoning) and methods to make use of it right here.
Our Cajun-inspired mix strays a bit from the normal, skipping the onion powder and choosing smoked paprika for a extra smoky taste.
We hope you LOVE these baked fries! They’re:
Crispy on the surface
Tender on the within
Simple to make
Versatile
Flavorful
Comforting
& Scrumptious!
They make an incredible appetizer or aspect, particularly served with ketchup or No-Honey Mustard Sauce. They usually’d be an ideal companion to issues like sandwiches, burgers, and extra!
For faster weeknight preparation, we’d advocate boiling the potatoes as much as 3-Four days upfront and storing the unpeeled, cooked potatoes within the fridge till able to make fries!
Extra Baked Fries Recipes
When you do this recipe, tell us! Go away a remark, price it, and don’t overlook to tag a photograph #minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, pals!
Servings 4 (Servings)
POTATOES
- 3 medium russet potatoes (scrubbed clear // natural when potential)
- Water for cooking
- 1 pinch salt
CAJUN SPICE BLEND
- 1 ½ tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano (or sub contemporary, minced)
- 3/4 tsp dried thyme (or sub contemporary, minced)
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (omit for much less warmth)
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Warmth oven to 425 levels F (218 C) and use the convection setting you probably have it. It will enable the fries to change into extra crispy on the sides and prepare dinner sooner. When you don’t have a convection setting, no worries. You’ll simply bake for barely longer. Convection merely accelerates the method.
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Line 1 giant or 2 small baking sheet(s) with parchment paper or silicone baking mats and put aside. (See Notes for finest approach to prepare dinner giant batches of fries.)
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Wash and scrub your potatoes clear however depart the pores and skin on. Add to a big saucepan or pot and canopy with water by 1 inch. Add a pinch of salt.
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Carry to a boil over excessive warmth and prepare dinner till a knife slides in simply and is definitely eliminated — ~25-35 minutes relying on the scale of your potatoes. You don’t need them to be cracking or falling aside, however you do need them to be tender and just about cooked via. Take away from the water and permit to chill on a reducing board (~5-10 minutes).
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Be aware: At this level you possibly can retailer your boiled potatoes (uncovered) within the fridge for as much as 3-Four days after which slice and bake. In any other case, proceed to the subsequent step.
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Whereas potatoes are cooking, put together your spice mix by including all spices to a small mixing bowl and stirring to mix. Style and modify seasonings as wanted, including extra salt to style, cayenne for warmth, herbs to style, smoked paprika for smokiness, or garlic powder for garlic taste. Put aside. (Leftovers will maintain sealed at room temperature for as much as Three months).
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As soon as cooled to the contact, rigorously slice potatoes into even, small wedges or strips. If the fries break aside in locations, that’s okay and regular. These are secretly my favourite items as a result of they get additional crispy when baked. Simply attempt to deal with gently to stop a lot breaking. Utilizing a pointy knife and dealing with gently is essential right here.
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Switch to the lined baking sheet(s) and sprinkle on the Cajun spice mix. Then carry one aspect of the parchment paper at a time to softly toss the potatoes, coating them with spices. This enables for extra light dealing with than hand tossing.
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Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping / tossing on the 15-minute mark to make sure even cooking. Turning the pan round also can assist them prepare dinner extra evenly. You’re on the lookout for the fries to be golden brown and crispy on the sides. Maintain baking till you obtain desired outcomes.
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Serve instantly. If desired, sprinkle with a bit extra salt and pepper for added taste. These fries are scrumptious on their very own, however are additionally elevated with ketchup or our No-Honey Mustard Sauce.
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Greatest when contemporary, although leftovers might be saved within the fridge as much as 2-Three days. Reheat on the stovetop or in a 375 diploma F (190C) oven. In our expertise, these are usually not freezer pleasant (except the boiled, lower, and seasoned fries are frozen earlier than baking — when cooked from frozen prepare dinner time will have to be elevated).
*Vitamin info is a tough estimate.
*Ideally you’ll bake your fries on one giant baking sheet that’s large enough to permit house between the fries so that they aren’t crowding one another — that is vital and is what helps them to crisp up. Greater than 1 pan within the oven at a time is okay, but it surely does often imply prepare dinner time shall be prolonged and the fries might not get as crispy. So on this occasion, I’d often bake all of the fries that I can on 1 giant baking sheet, and if I’ve leftovers, I choose to attend and bake them after the primary batch is completed for finest outcomes.
Serving: 1 serving Energy: 131 Carbohydrates: 29.9 g Protein: 3.6 g Fats: 0.2 g Saturated Fats: 0.1 g Polyunsaturated Fats: 0.08 g Monounsaturated Fats: 0 g Trans Fats: 0 g Ldl cholesterol: 0 mg Sodium: 301 mg Potassium: 684 mg Fiber: 2.4 g Sugar: 1 g Vitamin A: 337 IU Vitamin C: 9.27 mg Calcium: 31.03 mg Iron: 1.81 mg
