Baked Thick-Cut Seasoned Oven Fries

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Baked Seasoned Fries โ€” These oven fries are thick-cut and baked rather than fried. They’re flavored with smoked paprika and cumin, and their smoky flavor pairs well with just about anything! 

Baked Thick-Cut Seasoned Oven Fries (vegan, GF) - Learn the secrets to creating restaurant-style oven fries! They're baked rather than fried so you can have extra!

Homemade Seasoned Fries Recipe

Warm homemade oven fries smothered in ketchup make my heart go pitter-patter. I used both sweet potatoes and russet, and they’re doused in plenty of smoky seasoning. They’re like the thick-cut fries you get in a restaurant, but they’re baked rather than fried, so you can eat more.

After slicing the potatoes, put them in a gallon-sized Ziplock and add a little cornstarch. This is a trick to help them crisp up better in the oven.

Oven-baked fries never get as crispy as oil-fried fries, but the cornstarch really helps. These are so much healthier than fried fries, making it an easy trade.

The contrast of the sweetness of the sweet potatoes with the smoky spices makes them so addictively good. And while you can’t taste it per se, coconut oil accentuates the natural sweetness in the sweet potatoes and the flavors complement each other so well.

I’m a major ketchup fan and like a little bit of food with my ketchup. The fries were begging to be slathered. They were so good that the baking tray was demolished in less than 5 minutes between 3 people.

Baked Seasoned Fries โ€” These oven fries are thick-cut and baked rather than fried. They're flavored with smoked paprika and cumin, and their smoky flavor pairs well with just about anything! 

What’s in Seasoned Fries? 

For these seasoned oven fries, you’ll need the following pantry staples: 

  • Potatoes  
  • Cornstarch 
  • Coconut oil 
  • Smoked paprika 
  • Cumin 
  • Salt and pepper
  • Your favorite condiments

Note that the coconut oil should be liquid when you toss the potato slices in it. Coconut oil becomes liquid when warm, so you may need to heat yours in the microwave for a few seconds.

If you try to toss the potatoes in coconut oil while it’s still solid, the oil won’t distribute evenly and your fries won’t crisp up.

What Are the Best Potatoes for Homemade Fries? 

I recommend using Russet potatoes to make the homemade seasoned fries. I also used sweet potatoes simply because I love them in any form, but if you want classic fries opt for Russet. 

Baked Seasoned Fries โ€” These oven fries are thick-cut and baked rather than fried. They're flavored with smoked paprika and cumin, and their smoky flavor pairs well with just about anything! 

How to Make Seasoned Fries

Preheat your oven to 425ยบF (it needs to be really hot to make the outside of the potatoes crispy). Then, cut the potatoes into wedges and place them in a bag with the cornstarch. Give it a good toss to distribute the cornstarch evenly, then add in the seasonings and toss again. 

Place the seasoned fries on a baking tray in a single layer, then bake until done (you’ll have to flip them over halfway through the baking process). Note that baking times will vary based on your oven, the potatoes and how thick theyโ€™re cut, how full the tray is, and how well done you like your fries.

Because itโ€™s a very hot oven, keep a close eye on the seasoned fries in the final moments of baking so they donโ€™t burn. Remove from oven and serve as soon as theyโ€™re cool enough to eat! 

Baked Seasoned Fries โ€” These oven fries are thick-cut and baked rather than fried. They're flavored with smoked paprika and cumin, and their smoky flavor pairs well with just about anything! 

Fry Dipping Sauces 

Enjoy these baked seasoned fries with ketchup, or switch things up by using one of the following fry dipping sauces: 

You can also make a quick fry sauce with a mixture of ketchup and mayo. It might sound odd, but that’s the base of many famous fry and burger sauces! 

Baked Seasoned Fries โ€” These oven fries are thick-cut and baked rather than fried. They're flavored with smoked paprika and cumin, and their smoky flavor pairs well with just about anything! 

Can I Use a Cornstarch Substitute? 

To my knowledge, no. Cornstarch is a key ingredient in this recipe, and I’m not sure how you’d get the homemade oven fries to crisp up without it. If you find a cornstarch substitute that works with this recipe, please leave me a comment and let me know so I can try it out myself!

Do I Have to Use Coconut Oil?

No, but I highly recommend using it! I used just 2 tablespoons of coconut oil for the whole batch.

The seasoned fries do not taste like coconut and there’s so much seasoning that any coconut flavor is masked. My family could not tell that I used coconut oil even when I asked them about it, but use olive or another oil if preferred.

Coconut oil has a fairly high smoke point, which means the oil is less likely to start smoking in this hot of an oven. If you use another oil, choose one with a high smoke point that’s fairly neutral in flavor. 

Baked Seasoned Fries โ€” These oven fries are thick-cut and baked rather than fried. They're flavored with smoked paprika and cumin, and their smoky flavor pairs well with just about anything! 

Tips for Making Baked Seasoned Fries

Lately I’ve been obsessed with smoked paprika. I love red peppers, and since paprika is made from peppers, it’s no surprise it’s always been a favorite seasoning, but smoked paprika is even better. 

I also added cumin, which complements the smoked paprika. You can try seasoning salt, thyme and rosemary, garlic and dill, or another favorite spice blend that you like. I went fairly heavy-handed but if you’re more sensitive to spices, dial back the amount.

I used two jumbo unpeeled potatoes, one sweet potato and one russet. Use three potatoes if yours are smaller, or enough to fill one baking tray completely full. The russet potatoes stay firmer and get crispier on the exterior than the sweet potatoes and retain a buttery soft, tender interior. Use your favorite combo of potatoes, or even parsnips.

Lastly, it’s so important that you line your baking tray with parchment paper or Silpat before placing the fries on it! If you skip this step, your seasoned fries will definitely get stuck to the tray and it’ll be a nightmare to get them off. 

Baked Seasoned Fries โ€” These oven fries are thick-cut and baked rather than fried. They're flavored with smoked paprika and cumin, and their smoky flavor pairs well with just about anything! 

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4.74 from 19 votes

Baked Seasoned Fries

By Averie Sunshine
These seasoned fries are baked, not fried. They're flavored with smoked paprika and cumin, and their smoky flavor pairs well with just about anything!ย 
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 4 servings
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Ingredients 

  • 2 extra-large or 3 medium/large potatoes, russet or sweet potatoes, washed and trimmed into 1/4 to 1/2-inch slices (I didnโ€™t peel)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil in liquid state*
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, or to taste**
  • 2 teaspoons cumin, or to taste
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • your favorite condiments, for serving

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 425F. Line a baking sheet with a Silpat or spray with cooking spray; set aside.
  • Slice potatoes and put into a gallon-sized Ziplock.
  • Sprinkle cornstarch into bag, seal bag, and toss potatoes to coat.
  • Open bag and add oil, seal bag, and toss potatoes to coat.
  • Open bag and add smoked paprika, cumin, salt and pepper, seal bag, and toss potatoes to coat. Really manipulate the potatoes all around inside the bag, pushing the ones on the top to the bottom and vice versa, to equally distribute the oil and spices.
  • Transfer potatoes to baking tray, arranged in a single flat layer, not quite touching, if possible. They donโ€™t have to be in rows, but I find this easiest when itโ€™s time to flip.
  • Bake for about 25 minutes. Remove from oven, and with a tongs, flip potatoes over.
  • Return tray to oven and bake for about 15 to 20 more minutes, or until done.***
  • Remove from oven and serve as soon as theyโ€™re cool enough to eat; fries are best warm and fresh. Optionally, serve with ketchup or your favorite condiments.

Notes

*You may use another oil, like olive, vegetable, or canola.
**You can substitute your favorite seasonings or seasoning blend, if desired.
***Baking times will vary based on your oven, the potatoes and how thick theyโ€™re cut, how full the tray is, and how well done you like your fries. Because itโ€™s a very hot oven, keep a close eye on them in the final moments of baking so they donโ€™t burn.

Nutrition

Serving: 1, Calories: 206kcal, Carbohydrates: 31g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Sodium: 122mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 2g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

More Easy Potato Side Dishes: 

Pamesan and Herb Roasted Potatoes โ€” These herb roasted potatoes are sprinkled with Parmesan cheese and are made with seasonings you already have on hand. So easy to prep, and crazy delicious!

Crispy Parmesan Ranch Potatoes โ€” The BEST roasted potatoes youโ€™ll ever eat!! Tender potatoes seasoned with ranch mix and topped with a CRISPY Parmesan breadcrumb topping! So DELICIOUS you donโ€™t even need a main course!!

Crispy Parmesan Ranch Roasted Potatoes - The BEST roasted potatoes you'll ever eat!! Tender potatoes seasoned with ranch mix and topped with a CRISPY Parmesan breadcrumb topping! So DELICIOUS you don't even need a main course!!

 

Pink and Purple Potato Salad โ€” Iโ€™d much rather have this pretty pink and purple potato salad with crisp purple radishes and crunchy red onions than your average run-of-the-mill potato salad. Lots of flavors and textures in every bite! 

Potato Salad with Bacon โ€” This no mayo potato salad with bacon is ready in just 30 minutes! It’s a vinegar potato salad the whole family will love.

Three Cheese Scalloped Potatoes โ€“ These scalloped potatoes are EXTRA cheesy thanks to three cheeses used as well as super rich and CREAMY!!

Loaded Twice Baked Potato Casserole โ€” Tender potatoes mixed with butter, cheese, sour cream, bacon, and green onions for the ultimate in LOADED baked potatoes!

The BEST Mashed Potatoes โ€” Buttery, creamy, PERFECT mashed potatoes that rival your favorite restaurantโ€™s version but EASY and ready in 45 minutes!!

4.74 from 19 votes (14 ratings without comment)

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Please note: I have only made the recipe as written, and cannot give advice or predict what will happen if you change something. If you have a question regarding changing, altering, or making substitutions to the recipe, please check out the FAQ page for more info.

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Comments

  1. Hi Averie!

    On another one of your baked sweet potato recipes, you covered them for the first 30 minutes with foil but did not do that in this one. Does that make a huge difference?

    1. If you’re trying to get things to crisp up you want them uncovered; if you’re trying for just a soft overall texture, sometimes it’s helpful to tent the pan (cover). It really depends on the recipe, the ingredients, the goal, etc.

  2. Made those last weekend and they came out PERFECT! pitty i didn’t have any ketchup, but that wasn’t a problem for me.

    I’m actually gonna post this recipe today on my blog. It’s on portuguese, but check it out :) (i give you credit don’t worry!)

    Cheers from Brazil!
    :)

  3. Who doesn’t find crispy, thick wedges of seasoned fries irresistible? I know I am a self-proclaimed fry fiend and wish I could eat them daily without gaining a trillion pounds. Love the idea of using coconut oil to coat them prior to baking. And I MUST grab some smoked paprika!

  4. Thanks for the recipe! I made them for dinner tonight and they were delicious! The cornstarch trick. . . pretty amazing!

    1. Thanks for trying these & glad you thought they were delish and that the CS trick worked for you!

  5. I looove paprika on french fries and these look so perfectly seasoned and I love the cut–just the right amount of thickness! and hooray for baked not fried!!! I might be able to fit into a wedding dress then! :P

  6. Made these fries tonight for dinner, oh my, the best fries ever! I am so impressed with your recipes! Thank you so much. :)

  7. YUM, YUM, YUM!! Just polished off a batch of these for dinner. That seasoning is so good. I’d like to try it on parsnips and maybe kabocha wedges.

  8. I love baked and roasted veggies! These fries look wonderful. I haven’t thought to do russet and sweet together! That’s a great tip!

  9. Mmm. You caught my attention with the fries and had me at the word paprika! It has to be one of my favorite spices. I love topping my lasagna with paprika.

  10. These fries look incredible! I love that they are oven-baked and the spice combination of paprika + cumin sounds delicious. Must try these soon!
    Pinning!

  11. I could eat these all day long! I have been utterly obsessed with smoked paprika lately. The flavor is amazing. Love these! Pinned.

  12. I avoid most fried foods because I’d rather spend the calories on an extra cookie or cupcake, but when it comes to french fries… I can never say no. Ever. Especially with the thick wedge-cut ones. (And beer-battered — my absolute favorite!) I love how you made a healthier version, and all of that seasoning looks incredible! Great tip about the cornstarch too. With how many fast food fries my guy eats, I’m sure these would be popular in our house!

      1. SO true! My parents go out to dinner every Friday night to a little brewery downtown, and they serve the best ones I’ve ever eaten. I always beg to go when I visit them!