These crispy Skin on Fries are a delicious and simple side dish that goes with almost anything. Keeping the skin on homemade fries gives them an amazing texture and makes them even quicker to make. Baked in the oven in just 30 minutes all you need is potatoes, oil and your favourite seasoning.
Fries will always be my favourite way to use potatoes and also my favourite side dish. They are versatile, as you can serve them alongside so many of your favourite meals and they are just so comforting. These skin on fries are delicious and rustic and if you follow all of our tips then you will get perfectly crispy fries every time.
If you are looking for some other amazing potato recipes, then why not try our Hasselback Potatoes, Crispy Garlic Smashed Potatoes, Slow Cooker Jacket Potatoes or Easy Cheesy Potato Bake.
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Ingredients needed
- Potatoes - Whilst you can use any potato to make fries, some are better than others and you will get different results depending on what potato you use. You want to use a potato that has a high starch content like Maris Piper or Russet, because these will get crispier than other potatoes.
- Oil - You don't need a lot of oil for these to be crispy. Try to use a flavourless oil with a high smoke point like vegetable oil.
- Seasoning - This is where you can really adapt it so they are different every time. We used our homemade French Fry Seasoning, but we have given options below of different ways you can season these skin on fries.
A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
How to make Skin On Fries - Step by step
One: Scrub the potatoes clean and then cut them in to discs and then slice in to fries. Add them to a bowl of water and put to the side for an hour.
Two: Drain the fries and then put them on some kitchen paper and put more kitchen paper on top and dry them well.
Three: Put the fries in a bowl with the oil and seasoning and mix well.
Four: Transfer to a large baking tray in a single layer and put in a preheated oven at 200°C/400°F/Gas 6 for 30 minutes, turning half way through.
Why should you try it?
- Delicious way to use potatoes - If you have a lot of potatoes to use up, then this is a delicious way to use them. It's such an easy homemade fries recipe.
- Versatile side - No matter what you are having for dinner, there is a good chance that fries will go well with it.
- Baked not fried - We love this recipe because you get perfectly crispy fries (thanks to the skin), but they are baked. Much healthier!
- Adaptable - We have used our own seasoning blend, but feel free to adapt with your favourite seasoning.
Health benefits of potatoes
White potatoes have so many nutrients in them, they really shouldn't get a bad reputation. They are low in fat, sodium and cholesterol, they have nearly half of your daily vitamin C and they are a great source of potassium - even more than a banana.
They are full of fibre and magnesium, and they are filling too. On top of this, they are also suitable for almost any diet, from vegan to gluten free. I am not sure what more you could want?
How to get crispy fries
- Make sure you choose the right potatoes. Stay away from waxy potatoes, as they have too much moisture. You want a potato with a high starch content.
- Make sure that all the fries are evenly cut so that they all cook at the same rate.
- Soaking them is important because is removes excess starch, which makes them crispier.
- After soaking, you need to really pat them well so they are dry. If they are too wet, then they will just steam in the oven and won't get crispy.
- Use your hands to mix the fries, oil and seasoning together to make sure that all the fries are fully coated. This helps them all to get crispy.
- You need to use a baking tray big enough for all your fries so they all have plenty of space in a single layer. If they are too close together, or on top of each other, they will steam rather than bake and they won't get crispy. Use two trays if you need to.
- Make sure your oven is preheated so the skin on fries are going straight into the heat.
Variations
This is a really simple recipe with only 3 ingredients, so there aren't too many ways to change it. However, you can change the seasoning that is used. Here are some of our other favourite ways to season skin on fries.
Spicy: You could use a mixture of cayenne and paprika for a spicy fry, or you could use a fajita or Cajun spice blend.
Garlic Parmesan: These feel really indulgent, and they are amazing. Mix the uncooked fries with oil, garlic powder and salt and pepper and then cook for 25 minutes. Sprinkle with parmesan and put them back in the oven for the final 5 minutes.
Herby: Use a mixture of your favourite dried herbs like basil, oregano and parsley for a fresh herby flavour.
What to serve with skin on fries
Dip of course! We kept it classic with some mayo, but you could stir some Sriracha or chipotle sauce into the mayo to give it a bit of a spicy kick. If mayo isn't your thing, then why not try our Homemade BBQ Sauce or Healthy Tomato Ketchup?
These skin on fries go with all of your favourite meals. From burgers to pizzas to chicken to fish. Why not try some of these:
- Baked Chicken Burger
- Salmon Baked in Foil
- BBQ Chicken Pizza
- Salmon Burger
- Hunter's Chicken
- Hidden Vegetable Beef Burgers
- Easy Flatbread Pizza
- Caprese Chicken
- Pesto Salmon
Storage
Store: These skin on fries are definitely best eaten straight from the oven. As they cool, they loose their crispiness. However, if you do have leftovers that you don't want to waste, then you can store them in an air tight container in the fridge until the next day.
Reheat: You can reheat them in the oven for about 10 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Skin on fries are french fries that have the skin left on them, and haven't been peeled. The skins are still on the potatoes, so when they are baked they get nice and crispy and give them some added texture.
You don't have to, but we would definitely recommend you do. Soaking them removes any excess starch which is what helps them to get really crispy.
The cooking time will depend on your oven, and also how thin or thick your fries are cut. Make sure you check on them after about 20 minutes and take them out when browned.
Yes, you don't have to make thin American style fries. You can cut them chunkier, but they will need longer in the oven. Depending on how much thicker you cut them, they will need 5-10 minutes longer in the oven. Keep checking them and take them out when they are getting browned.
You can, but you could need to cook them on two baking trays.
Yes, you can cut the fries and put them in water and keep them like this in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
You can! And they are extra crispy this way. Follow our recipe for The BEST Air Fryer Chips.
Extra tips
- You can still follow this same recipe if you do want to peel the skin off the potatoes.
- If you are keeping the skin on, make sure to really scrub them well before slicing them.
- Make sure you are using a non stick baking tray, otherwise you will need to line it with baking paper first.
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Recipe
Easy Skin On Fries
Ingredients
- 400 g potatoes
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 portion French fry seasoning
Instructions
- Scrub the potatoes clean and then cut them in to discs and then slice in to fries. Add them to a bowl of water and put to the side for an hour.
- Drain the fries and then put them on some kitchen paper and put more kitchen paper on top and dry them well.
- Put the fries in a bowl with the oil and seasoning and mix well.
- Transfer to a large baking tray in a single layer and put in a preheated oven at 200°C/400°F/Gas 6 for 30 minutes, turning half way through.
Notes
- You can still follow this same recipe if you do want to peel the skin off the potatoes.
- If you are keeping the skin on, make sure to really scrub them well before slicing them.
- Make sure you are using a non stick baking tray, otherwise you will need to line it with baking paper first.
Shadi Hasanzadenemati
Love all the ingredients, can’t wait to try this! It looks so delicious and easy!
Bianca
These fries turned out absolutely amazing!
Vicky
My kids love fries but I am not a fan of giving them fast food or frozen fries. I love how you have used fresh potatoes for this recipe and made it even easier for me by keeping the skin on. Winner!
Sisley White - Sew White
I really need to make these more often. So easy and so tasty
Beth Sachs
Perfect crispy crunchy fries. I love keeping the skin on!
Angela
I love leaving the skin on fries! This recipe is so simple and delicious. Definitely my new favorite way to make French fries!
Katherine
I love skin-on fries! There's no need to peel when all the goodness is in the skin. Yum!
Katie
They are awesome! Had them last night. Came out great!
Amanda Wren-Grimwood
Such a great treat without all the guilt! These taste much better than peeled chips too.
Claudia Lamascolo
I loved how easy these were and the taste is so delicious we love the skin on potatoes!
Gina
These fries were delicious! They were seasoned perfectly and crunchy! A nice addition to my burger!