- Prep Time: 10 Minutes (not including 30 minutes to soak the potatoes in cold water)
- Cook Time: 50 Minutes
- Total Time: 1 Hour
- Fridge Friendly: 4 Days
- Freezer Friendly: Forgetaboutit!
- Servings: 2, 3, 4? (hmmm, hard to say!)
Cost Per Person: ¢
- ¢: pennies
- $: less than $4
- $$: less than $7
- $$$: less than $10
- $$$: over $10
French Fries Have Got a Bad Rap. Is it Justified?
By definition, French Fries have to be fried in oil. So whenever we talk about French Fries that are NOT fried in oil, they must be prefixed with the word baked. However, when it comes to taste, health, and convenience, I quickly lose interest in technicalities. So assuming that “baked French fries” and the world’s most popular “deep-fried French fries” both taste amazing (and they do), let’s make a little comparison and see if the “bad” rap of traditional French fries is justified.
Fast-Food Fries
Ingredients (per serving)
- Potatoes
- High oleic low linolenic canola oil and/or canola oil
- Hydrogenated soybean oil
- Natural flavour (vegetable source)
- Dextrose
- Sodium acid pyrophosphate (maintain colour)
- Citric acid (preservative)
- Dimethylpolysiloxane (antifoaming agent).
*Cooked in vegetable oil (high oleic low linoleic canola oil and/or canola oil, corn oil, soybean oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, citric acid, dimethylpolysiloxane)
560 calories and 27 grams of fat!
Ah … that explains the bad rap!
*Anyone who can pronounce ALL the ingredients gets a free box of fries!
Oven-Baked Fries
Ingredients (per serving)
- One Potato
- tbsp. Olive Oil
- Spices
A medium potato with skin has about 110 calories and zero fat. One tbsp. of olive oil has 119 calories and 14 grams of fat. How is that not healthy?
Why I Love This Recipe
Because I can dip my fries in mayo at home and no one will laugh at me!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
These tasty fries are no guilt, easy to make and addictive … but in a “good” way!
Ingredients
- 5 Potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet
- 5 tbsp. Olive Oil
- 1 tbsp. Sea Salt
- 1 tbsp Frank’s RedHot® Original Seasoning (optional but so good)
- 1/2 tsp. Paprika
- 1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder
- 1/2 tsp. Onion Powder
- 1/2 tsp. Black Pepper
Directions
- Leaving the skin on, wash and cut the potatoes into sticks. Try to keep them roughly the same size so they bake evenly.
- Soak in cold water for 30 minutes to remove excess starch. This will help to make the fries crispy.
- Heat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Drain and completely dry the potatoes with a towel.
- Season cut potatoes with olive oil, and toss to coat well.
- Add the spices and mix well.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread out the fries in one layer.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes.
- Set the oven to 450 and bake for another 20 to 25 minutes.
- Turn the potatoes with a spatula halfway through at this temperature until golden brown and crispy.
Notes/Tips
- Cut the potatoes into whatever shape you want. Make them thinner, and turn them into wedges, even into cubes. The cooking time will vary. The thinner the cut the less cooking time. The thicker the cut, more cooking time.
- You can adjust the seasoning to suit your taste.
- Want it simple? Just add salt and pepper. Want to make it more special? Add freshly grated parmesan cheese when they just come out of the oven.
