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Thin & Crispy Baked Potato Fries

These thin-cut baked fries are incredibly crispy without deep frying, thanks to a simple technique of soaking and high-heat roasting. They’re seasoned perfectly with a blend of spices and come out golden and crunchy every time. A healthier alternative that doesn’t compromise on texture or flavor.

Thin golden crispy baked potato fries spread on baking sheet with herbs

Prep Time : 20 min

Cook Time : 35 min

Servings : 4

Prep Time :

20 min

Cook Time :

35 min

Servings :

4

Ingredients

For the Fries 

• 800g russet potatoes

For Soaking 

•  1000ml cold water


• 15g salt

For Seasoning

•  45ml olive oil — this one on Amazon


• 5g sea salt — this one on Amazon


• 3g garlic powder


• 3g onion powder


• 2g paprika


• 1g black pepper

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Directions

  1. Cut the Potatoes
    Scrub 800g potatoes clean (skin on) and dry them so they don’t slip. Slice lengthwise into 6mm planks, then cut into 6mm fries—uniform thickness is the main lever for even crisping. If some fries are thicker, they’ll be soft when the thinner ones are already dark.
  2. Soak in Salt Water
    Place fries in a large bowl and pour over a mix of 1000ml cold water + 15g salt. Soak 15–20 minutes, swishing once halfway to release starch; the water turning cloudy is normal. Drain thoroughly—this step reduces surface starch so fries don’t “glue” together and improves crisp edges in the oven.
  3. Dry Thoroughly
    Preheat oven to 230°C (450°F). Spread drained fries on clean kitchen towels and pat completely dry—no damp spots. Moisture = steam, and steam is the enemy of crisp fries; if they go in wet, they bake soft no matter how hot the oven is.
  4. Season the Fries
    Transfer dry fries to a large bowl and toss with 45ml olive oil until lightly coated (you want a sheen, not pooling oil). Mix 5g salt, 3g garlic powder, 3g onion powder, 2g paprika, and 1g black pepper, then sprinkle over the fries and toss again until evenly seasoned.
  5. Arrange for Roasting
    Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper and spread fries in a single layer with space between each piece. Crowding traps steam and turns “crispy fries” into “steamed potatoes.” If you only have one sheet, bake in two batches rather than piling them up.
  6. Bake Until Golden
    Bake 15 minutes, then flip each fry (or use a thin spatula to turn groups) and rotate the pans between oven racks. Bake another 15–20 minutes until deep golden and audibly crisp at the edges. If fries are blond but dry, extend by 3–5 minutes and check frequently—crispness is a color-and-texture stage, not only a timer stage. Serve immediately.

*Notes

  • Use russet potatoes if possible—high starch is what gives a crisp shell in the oven. Waxy potatoes tend to stay dense and soft, even with perfect technique. If you must use a waxier variety, expect a less crunchy finish.
  • Drying after soaking is the biggest control point in this recipe. A hot oven cannot crisp wet fries because water must evaporate before browning can begin. If you ever get soft fries, fix the towel-drying and tray spacing before changing anything else.
  • Two trays matter because airflow matters. Fries need room so hot air can circulate and moisture can escape; a crowded tray is essentially a steamer. This is one of the few cases where “more batches” beats “bigger piles.”
  • Reheating: use an oven at 200°C for 8–10 minutes or an air fryer if you have one. Avoid the microwave—steam softens the crust instantly.

Nutrition Facts 

( per serving )

Calories

~251 kcal

Protein

 4 g

Fat

10.5 g

Carbs

35 g

Calories

~251 kcal

Protein

 4 g

Fat

10.5 g

Carbs

35 g

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Thin golden crispy baked potato fries spread on baking sheet with herbs

Thin & Crispy Baked Potato Fries

These thin-cut baked fries are incredibly crispy without deep frying, thanks to a simple technique of soaking and high-heat roasting. They're seasoned perfectly with a blend of spices and come out golden and crunchy every time. A healthier alternative that doesn't compromise on texture or flavor.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 251

Ingredients
  

For the Fries
  • 800 g russet potatoes
For Soaking
  • 1000 ml cold water
  • 15 g salt
For Seasoning
  • 45 ml olive oil
  • 5 g salt
  • 3 g garlic powder
  • 3 g onion powder
  • 2 g paprika
  • 1 g black pepper

Method
 

Cut the Potatoes
  1. Scrub 800g potatoes clean (skin on) and dry them so they don’t slip. Slice lengthwise into 6mm planks, then cut into 6mm fries—uniform thickness is the main lever for even crisping. If some fries are thicker, they’ll be soft when the thinner ones are already dark.
Soak in Salt Water
  1. Place fries in a large bowl and pour over a mix of 1000ml cold water + 15g salt. Soak 15–20 minutes, swishing once halfway to release starch; the water turning cloudy is normal. Drain thoroughly—this step reduces surface starch so fries don’t “glue” together and improves crisp edges in the oven.
Dry Thoroughly
  1. Preheat oven to 230°C (450°F). Spread drained fries on clean kitchen towels and pat completely dry—no damp spots. Moisture = steam, and steam is the enemy of crisp fries; if they go in wet, they bake soft no matter how hot the oven is.
Season the Fries
  1. Transfer dry fries to a large bowl and toss with 45ml olive oil until lightly coated (you want a sheen, not pooling oil). Mix 5g salt, 3g garlic powder, 3g onion powder, 2g paprika, and 1g black pepper, then sprinkle over the fries and toss again until evenly seasoned.
Arrange for Roasting
  1. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper and spread fries in a single layer with space between each piece. Crowding traps steam and turns “crispy fries” into “steamed potatoes.” If you only have one sheet, bake in two batches rather than piling them up.
Bake Until Golden
  1. Bake 15 minutes, then flip each fry (or use a thin spatula to turn groups) and rotate the pans between oven racks. Bake another 15–20 minutes until deep golden and audibly crisp at the edges. If fries are blond but dry, extend by 3–5 minutes and check frequently—crispness is a color-and-texture stage, not only a timer stage. Serve immediately.

Notes

Use russet potatoes if possible—high starch is what gives a crisp shell in the oven. Waxy potatoes tend to stay dense and soft, even with perfect technique. If you must use a waxier variety, expect a less crunchy finish.
Drying after soaking is the biggest control point in this recipe. A hot oven cannot crisp wet fries because water must evaporate before browning can begin. If you ever get soft fries, fix the towel-drying and tray spacing before changing anything else.
Two trays matter because airflow matters. Fries need room so hot air can circulate and moisture can escape; a crowded tray is essentially a steamer. This is one of the few cases where “more batches” beats “bigger piles.”
Reheating: use an oven at 200°C for 8–10 minutes or an air fryer if you have one. Avoid the microwave—steam softens the crust instantly.