French fries. We have an on-again off-again relationship.
Meaning I stuff my face with them once a month then swear them off until we meet again next month.
Thankfully, however, I’ve recently mastered the art of making fries at home super crispy style sans frying. Score! Now the two of us can see each other much more often – thank goodness.
I’ve made baked french fries before that required soaking in warm water before baking. Too much time and effort I say! These guys go straight into the oven at a high temp for ultimate crispiness.
It’s the matchstick shape and high temperature that helps them cook faster and get that golden brown crisp. I’m all for a good wedge-cut fry, but for that ultimate crispy texture, matchstick is where it’s at.
For another wave of flavor I sautéed some minced garlic in olive oil to toss with the fries fresh out of the oven. This is an optional step but certainly one that adds more zest and depth of flavor.
All that’s left is to dip in some Whiskey BBQ Ketchup and go to town. Oh mama.
I’m OBSESSED with these baked french fries. They’re
Crispy
Salty
Tender on the inside
Garlicky
Perfect with ketchup
& Slightly addictive
Serve these guys with burgers, sandwiches, queso, or on their own! They make perfect party appetizers and are sure to impress your growing throng of friends.
If you give these a try, be sure to take a picture and tag it #minimalistbaker on Instagram so we can be fry besties. Cheers!
Crispy Baked Garlic Matchstick Fries
Ingredients
- 3-4 medium russet potatoes (scrubbed clean and dried)
- 1/4 cup olive or avocado oil
- 1 pinch each sea salt + black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1-2 sprigs fresh rosemary (optional // roughly chopped)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees (232 C).
- Chop potatoes into matchsticks by halving, halving once more, then cutting into wedges and then strips.
- Line two baking sheets with foil or parchment paper (ensure the type you're using is safe up to 450 F / 232 C) and generously spray with nonstick spray.
- Add fries plus a generous drizzle of oil and sea salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Toss to coat.
- Arrange fries a single layer making sure they aren’t touching too much. This will help them crisp up and cook evenly.
- Bake for 25-35 minutes, tossing/flipping at least once to ensure even baking.
- In the last 10 minutes of cooking, heat a small saucepan over medium heat and add 1-2 Tbsp olive oil (amount as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size) and the minced garlic. Sauté, stirring frequently, until just slightly brown to wake up the flavor.
- Remove from heat and set aside.
- When the fries are finished, remove from oven, sprinkle again with sea salt, and spoon the warm garlic on top. Toss to coat and serve immediately as is or with Whiskey BBQ Ketchup.
- You can also add more flavor by tossing the fries once more with the rosemary.
Leah says
I made this tonight with 3 potatoes and avocado oil and they were so good that I ate a cookie sheet and a half by myself. I used foil, about 1 1/2 potatoes, 3/4 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp dried rosemary, and a generous drizzle of avocado oil on each cookie sheet. I baked 10 min, flipped them, and baked 15 more min. I had maybe 4 fries burn so you could probably get away with 13 or so min. instead of the 15 after flipping. I added salt and pepper after cooking and didn’t do the additional garlic part since we were out of fresh garlic. I will definitely be making these again! I love the easy cleanup and super crispy fries!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Amazing! So glad this recipe worked so well for you, Leah. Thanks so much for the review!
Lisa Herriot says
Has anyone tried using the air fryer setting on their oven? I wonder if that would make them nice and crispy in less time.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Lisa, our oven doesn’t have that, but air frying is similar to convection so we do think it would help!
Vicky Ramsey says
I was wondering the same thing. I hope someone comments that they tried this.