Baked Thick-Cut Seasoned Oven Fries (2024)

Baked Seasoned Fries— 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!

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.

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.

How to Make Seasoned Fries

Preheat your oven to 425ºF (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 they’re cut, how full the tray is, and how well done you like your fries.

Because it’s a very hot oven, keep a close eye on the seasoned fries in the final moments of baking so they don’t burn. Remove from oven and serve as soon as they’re cool enough to eat!

Fry Dipping Sauces

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

• Smoky Mustard Dipping Sauce (<— this post has 4 other dipping sauces, too!)
• Classic Fry Sauce
• Honey Mustard Sauce
• Guacamole
• BBQ Sauce

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!

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.

Tips for Making Baked Seasoned Fries

Lately I’ve been obsessed with smoked paprika. Ilove 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.

More Easy Potato Side Dishes:

Pamesan and Herb Roasted Potatoes — 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 — 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 — I’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 — 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 – These scalloped potatoes are EXTRA cheesy thanks to three cheeses used as well as super rich and CREAMY!!

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

The BEST Mashed Potatoes — Buttery, creamy, PERFECT mashed potatoes that rival your favorite restaurant’s version but EASY and ready in 45 minutes!!