Oven Baked Garlic Fries

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These Garlic Fries are incredibly flavorful and downright addicting. Cornstarch is our secret weapon for the perfect texture without needing to deep fry. Hot and crispy out of the oven, this steak fries recipe makes the perfect snack or side dish!

titled: Oven Baked Steak Fries


 

Garlic Fries

Hot, crispy fries are always a favorite, but they’re even tastier when homemade from scratch!

And even better than that is baking them in the oven so you’re not left with splatters on your counters and a pot full of oil.

This steak fries recipe is one that I developed years and years ago when Munchkin was tiny, and it’s still a family favorite.

The amount of garlic may seem overwhelming at first, but I promise the flavor is just right when they’re done.

I love to dunk my garlic fries in ranch dressing — it’s the perfect tangy, cool complement to these savory potato wedges.

Did you know you can make fries out of just about any vegetable? It’s true — sweet potatoes, carrots, even zucchini… or apples if you want something sweet!

Once you make fries from scratch, you’ll never want takeout or frozen again.

ingredients for garlic fries recipe

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

  • Potatoes – Russet potatoes are the standard choice for any steak fries recipe because they crisp up nicely while staying soft and fluffy on the inside.

    The best substitute would be fingerling potatoes, but the texture will be a bit different.
  • Olive Oil & Garlic – Use extra virgin for this garlic fries recipe, which can withstand the high heat of the oven. Avocado oil is a good substitute.

    Warm the two together, then use the garlic and oil mixture to flavor the fries and grease your baking sheet!
  • Cornstarch – This is what helps oven baked steak fries crisp up on the outside since they aren’t going into a hot fryer.

    You can use cornflour or arrowroot powder if needed.
  • Seasonings – Salt and pepper are a must, but I like to add some garlic powder and cayenne powder too.

    Coarse sea salt has the best texture — it won’t absorb into the potatoes like table salt will.
sliced potatoes in a bowl with garlic mixture

Tips and Tricks to Make Garlic French Fries from Scratch

  • Slice wedges to similar thickness and length.

This guarantees that your garlic fries cook evenly. Your slices won’t be perfect, especially if your potatoes have a funky shape, but just do your best!

  • Use double the garlic for maximum flavor.

Coat potato wedges with garlic-infused olive oil before steaming, then season with garlic powder while they’re still hot. The spuds will absorb it better that way.

And don’t forget the salt! It enhances flavors, which is why it’s essential for seasoning any savory dish.

  • Steam, then bake — and don’t crowd the pan.

Steaming the potato wedges in the microwave first cuts down on baking time and keeps the center from drying out.

And since they’re already coated in garlic oil, they’ll absorb the flavor even more!

Once they’re translucent around the edges (that means they look a little “glassy”), it’s time to season and get them onto a baking sheet.

Be sure to flip them halfway with tongs or a spatula so they brown and crisp on both sides.

coating sliced potatoes in cornstarch mixture

Prep Ahead

  • Slice potatoes into wedges
  • Preheat oven to 450°F

Kitchen Tools You Will Need

garlic fries on a baking sheet

Serving Suggestions

Dish up garlic french fries while they’re hot with your favorite dipping sauce! I love ketchup or ranch, but a simple aioli (a mixture of mayo, lemon juice, and garlic) would be perfect too.

Oven baked steak fries go with just about anything, from burgers and hot dogs to chicken and even fish.

You could also enjoy a big plate as a snack… I won’t tell!

Storing and Reheating Oven Baked Steak Fries

Once cool, transfer leftover garlic french fries to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or in the freezer for a month or two.

For freezing, you’ll get better results if you flash-freeze them first. Spread them in a single layer on a separate (cooled) baking sheet and freeze for an hour or two, until firm.

Then, transfer to a storage bag or container.

Reheat in the oven or air fryer to get them hot and crispy again! You can bake homemade garlic fries from frozen — just leave them in a bit longer.

Garlic Fries Recipe FAQ

Do I need to soak fries before baking?

You can, but I haven’t found it to be necessary. Soaking potato wedges is a good idea if you’ll be deep frying them the traditional way, but a little cornstarch gets them just as crispy in the oven.

If you do want to soak them first, cover potato slices in a bowl with cold water for 10-15 minutes to remove starch. Rinse and pat dry before tossing with garlic oil.

What are some other seasonings I can use?

Seasoned salt, onion powder, or dried herbs like parsley, rosemary, or thyme are popular choices for homemade fries. You could even sprinkle fresh parsley over your garlic french fries before serving!

Cayenne adds a little heat, but paprika is a good swap if you are sensitive to spice.

Use this steak fries recipe as a guide for the how, but get creative with the what kind when it comes to flavor!

Can I double this garlic fries recipe?

You can easily scale the amounts up or down depending on your needs.

If you decide to double the recipe, grab another sheet pan instead of stuffing them all on to one — they’ll only steam that way.

And it’s just as easy to make a small batch for one! You’ll have to eyeball the ingredient amount a bit, but 1 or 2 potatoes make enough for a solo snack or side dish.

baked garlic fries on a baking sheet

Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.

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basket of garlic fries

closeup of steak fries recipe

Oven Baked Garlic Fries

Donna Elick
Oven Baked Garlic Fries are fabulous, flavorful, and oh so crispy. Served with ranch dressing, they're the perfect snack or side dish!
5 stars from 3 reviews
Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Method Oven
Servings 4

Ingredients
 

  • 8 garlic cloves, minced
  • 6 tablespoons olive oil, extra virgin
  • 1 1/2 pounds russet potatoes, cut into wedges
  • 4 tablespoons cornstarch/cornflour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons coarse sea salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 450° F.
  • Combine the garlic and oil in a large bowl, warming it in the microwave until the garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute. Transfer 5 tablespoons of the oil (leaving the garlic in the bowl) to the baking sheet, coating it well.
  • Add the potatoes to the bowl with the garlic mixture and toss to coat.
  • Wrap the bowl tightly in plastic wrap and microwave on high power until the potatoes are translucent around the edges, 3 to 6 minutes, shaking the bowl to redistribute the potatoes halfway through cooking.
  • Combine the cornstarch, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne in a small bowl. Sprinkle over the hot potatoes and toss well to coat.
  • Arrange the potatoes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
  • Bake, turning once, until deep golden brown and crisp, 30 to 40 minutes. Serve with your favorite condiment.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 363cal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 883mg | Sugar: 1g | Fiber: 3g | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 2mg

All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Oven Baked Steak Fries - PIN

Originally published September 2011, updated and republished May 2024

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27 Comments

  1. I love baking fries especially since i learned that trick a few years back with the cornstarch! It is genius I tell you. Love the garlic flavor you incorporated here

  2. Love, love this style of roasted potatoes. I see the beer in the background and it's a perfect pairing. Thanks for sharing.

    Velva

  3. I could be happy just like that! Roasted potatoes and a Blue Moon. What a fine happy hour! I recently heard about cornstarch on oven roasted or fried foods. Sounds great and looks delicious.

  4. One of my favorite things at a favorite brewery restaurant is their garlic fries. Yours look wonderful! Can't wait to try them!

  5. My hubby could eat potatoes with every dinner…so a new, delicious recipe is just what I need! These look fabulous, Donna!

  6. Thank you so much for stopping by my site! I am so glad I came to see these potatoes! They look crispy and delicious! Can't wait to look around more.

  7. I absolutely love garlic and these sound amazing! I love that they aren't fried and I don't have to worry about making an oily mess. Thanks for sharing!

  8. Mmm garlic fries are well tasty! The cornstarch is an interesting twist, many times I try to get crispy fries in the oven but all I get is a limp frie 🙁
    Thanks for sharing and the cool tip..

  9. I love that you do Happy Hour – I know I definitely need one on Wednesday – perfect! Funny, I actually made these fries from her site before and I can attest that they are a-mazing. The garlic flavor is great and they cook up perfectly!

  10. The fries looks delicious! Simple and easy to do. Perfect for a Illinois Basset student like me. Thanks again for a really wonderful recipe!

  11. fantastic recipe ! the cornstarch perfect for making them crispy ! thanks for this one……… !

  12. 5 stars
    These look and smell amazing. They taste so good and don’t need condiments or anything. They’re great as is!

  13. 5 stars
    These oven-baked garlic fries are incredible! So easy to make and better than any restaurant version I’ve had.

  14. 5 stars
    My husband and I absolutely LOVE these potatoes! Thanks so much for sharing this recipe and all the others you share. I’ve used several of yours.

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