Craving comfort food with a twist? Say hello to cottage fries, the perfect blend of crispy, savory, and satisfying!
These little rounds of potato perfection give regular fries a run for their money. I love how they’re baked, not fried, so I feel less guilty about devouring the entire batch.
They’re the perfect sidekick to burger nights or as a standalone snack when the munchies hit.
Trust me, once you try these, you’ll be hooked!
Why You’ll Love These Cottage Fries
Crispy Perfection: They have the ideal balance of a golden, crispy exterior and a tender interior.
Full of Flavor: The blend of garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and thyme creates a mouthwatering seasoning. It takes them to the next level!
Simple Ingredients: With just a handful of common pantry ingredients, this recipe is easy to prepare. You won’t need an extra trip to the grocery store.
Customizable: The recipe offers room for personalization, allowing you to experiment with different seasonings, cheeses, or dipping sauces.
Ingredients
- Russet Potatoes: These starchy potatoes are perfect for baking, offering a fluffy interior and crispy exterior.
- Olive Oil: It helps the potatoes crisp up beautifully!
- Seasonings: I use a blend of garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, dried thyme, black pepper, and salt.
- Fresh Parsley: It provides a vibrant pop of color and a hint of freshness to balance the dish.
- Grated Parmesan (Optional): This cheese adds a delightful salty and nutty flavor, enhancing the crispiness of the potato slices when baked.
How to Make Cottage Fries
These fries are so easy, you might never go through the drive-thru for French fries again! (Well, almost never.)
1. Preheat the oven. Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
2. Prepare the potatoes. Scrub the potatoes clean (you can peel them if you prefer, but leaving the skin on adds texture). Slice the potatoes into ¼-inch thick rounds (about the thickness of a coin) to ensure they crisp up properly.
3. Season the potatoes. In a large mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, thyme, black pepper, and salt. Toss the potato slices in the seasoned oil mixture until they are well-coated on all sides.
4. Arrange on a baking sheet. Spread the seasoned potato slices in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Ensure they don’t overlap so they cook evenly.
5. Bake the potatoes. Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping the slices halfway through the cooking time to ensure both sides become crispy. Bake until golden brown and crispy around the edges.
6. Add the Parmesan (optional). In the last 5 minutes of baking, sprinkle the fries with grated Parmesan cheese for a cheesy, crispy touch.
7. Garnish and serve. Remove the fries from the oven and transfer them to a serving dish. Garnish with fresh, chopped parsley for a pop of color. Serve with your favorite dipping sauces, and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Cottage Fries
Follow these tips, and your fries will come out perfect.
- Pick the best potatoes. Use russet or Yukon gold potatoes for the best texture and flavor. Russets are starchier and crisp up well, while Yukon Golds offer a buttery taste.
- Keep things uniform. Cut the potatoes into ¼-inch thick rounds to ensure even cooking and optimal crispiness.
- Make them extra crispy. Soak potato slices in cold water for 30 minutes before baking to remove excess starch. Then, dry thoroughly for extra crispy fries.
- Dip to your heart’s content. Serve with ketchup, aioli, ranch, or spicy sriracha mayo for a variety of dipping options.
- Make them a meal. Pair cottage fries with grilled chicken, burgers, or a fresh salad to create a complete meal.
How to Store
If you have leftover fries, here’s how to keep them fresh.
To Store: Place cooled cottage fries in an air-tight container lined with paper towels. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days, changing the paper towels if they become damp.
To Freeze: Arrange cooled fries in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag, remove as much air as possible, and store for up to 3 months.
To Reheat: Preheat the oven to 400°F and spread fries on a baking sheet. Bake for 5-10 minutes until crispy and heated through.
Why can’t I save the recipe like i usually do? Don’t see an option to do that anymore.
Hi Betty!
We’re having an issue with that feature but we’re hoping to get it fixed soon 🙂
Please add option to “Save This Recipe” to this and all recipes,