Red Robin Fries (Copycat Recipe) + Video
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These copycat Red Robin Fries are thick, crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside perfection!!! They’re oven-baked with a bold, tangy seasoning that tastes just like the restaurant favorite… only better, because you never have to ask for a refill. The homemade Red Robin-style spice mix brings out every savory, salty, craveable note, and the golden edges crisp up beautifully right in your oven. Fry basket who???
Table of Contents
Red Robin Fries
OK… let’s rewind to 2008. I was face-deep in a basket of bottomless steak fries at Red Robin, and completely obsessed.
But no matter how many times I asked for refills, it was never enough. So naturally… I decided to make them myself.
These thick-cut beauties are crispy, salty, and fluffy in all the right ways. And that seasoning??? Absolute magic.
I even went full detective and cracked the code. It’s a little tomato-y, a little smoky, and totally addictive.
Now when we serve burgers or grilled chicken at home, these copycat Red Robin steak fries have to make an appearance.
They’re my ride-or-die side dish, and yes… I still eat more than my fair share. {{no shame}}
RECIPE VIDEO
See us make Red Robin french fries from scratch by watching the video in this post!
Enjoy homemade Red Robin fries with a gourmet burger or crispy chicken tenders.
Sometimes, Munchkin and I even have a night of just fries for dinner. I told you they were that good!!
And don’t forget the dipping sauces. Buttermilk ranch, ketchup, BBQ sauce, honey mustard… choose your favorite or mix and match a few.
INGREDIENT NOTES
- Potatoes: Russet potatoes are the best choice for making homemade Red Robin french fries, thanks to plenty of starch. It gives that fluffy, fry-shop interior that is utterly craveable!
- Oil: Helps the seasoning stick and creates a crispy, golden crust.
Vegetable oil has a neutral flavor and a high smoke point, but canola or avocado oil are great alternatives. - Seasoning: Most locations will sell bottles of Red Robin Fry Seasoning for you to take home, but you can also make a similar blend with ingredients from your pantry!
Chili powder and cumin add warmth and depth, while kosher salt and black pepper are essential for bold, balanced flavor.
However, the real secret ingredient is instant tomato soup mix. Depending on your store, it may be located with the canned soup or the Mexican spices.
VARIATIONS
Spicy Fries: Add ½ teaspoon cayenne or chipotle powder to the seasoning blend.
Garlic Parmesan: Toss baked fries with freshly grated parmesan and garlic powder right out of the oven.
Loaded Style: Top Red Robin steak fries with melted cheese, bacon bits, and scallions
Ranch Fries: Add 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning to the spice mix for a tangy twist.
Sweet Potato Version: Swap in sweet potatoes and reduce the baking time slightly.
RED ROBIN STEAK FRIES FAQ
Yes! Cook for 15-20 minutes at 400°F, shaking halfway through. You may need to air fry in batches to avoid overcrowding the basket.
It’s not required, but soaking homemade fries for 30 minutes in a bowl of cold water can remove excess starch and help them crisp more when baked.
Thoroughly drain the wedges and pat dry before coating with oil and spices.
You bet! Double or triple the recipe, then store the mixture in an airtight jar for up to 6 months.
It’s safe to use after that date, but the flavor will diminish over time.
After years of testing every oven fry trick out there, here’s what works: use Russet potatoes for the perfect interior texture, and toss them in oil before baking to get those golden edges.
The real secret? Space and flip. If your wedges are touching on the pan, they’ll steam instead of crisp. And rotating the pans halfway through ensures even browning.
As for the seasoning… Red Robin’s blend has a tangy-sweet tomato flavor from instant soup mix, which adds both umami and a hint of color.
Layering it before and after baking locks in bold flavor on every bite.
DONNA’S PRO TIPS
- Space them out. Fries need room to breathe, or they’ll steam instead of crisp.
- Flip and rotate. Move pans top to bottom and bottom to top for even browning.
- Don’t skip the seasoning. It’s what makes these fries taste exactly like the restaurant version.
- Serve immediately while they’re hot and fresh. No waiting for bottomless refills!
- Double it. One batch is never enough… trust me.
TOOLS NEEDED
- Two baking sheets
- Measuring spoons
- Spatula or tongs for flipping
- Parchment paper (optional, for easier cleanup)
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Red Robin Fries (Copycat Recipe) + Video
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 pounds Russet potatoes, cut into thick wedges
- 1 tablespoon Red Robin-style seasoning, divided
Homemade Red Robin Seasoning Recipe
- 3 tablespoons kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon instant tomato soup mix
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pans: Preheat oven to 400°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly grease them with oil. Set aside.
- Prepare the Seasoning: Combine seasoning ingredients in a small bowl.
- Cut the Potatoes: Cut Russet potatoes into thick steak fry-style wedges. Try to keep them uniform for even cooking.
- Season the Potatoes: Divide the wedges between the two prepared baking sheets. Drizzle each pan of potato wedges with ½ of the vegetable oil and sprinkle each with about ¼ tablespoon of Red Robin-style seasoning. Use your hands or a spatula to toss directly on the pan until evenly coated.
- Arrange the Fries: Spread the seasoned wedges into a single layer on each pan. Make sure the fries aren’t touching so they can crisp properly.
- Add More Seasoning: Sprinkle the remaining ½ tablespoon of seasoning, evenly over the tops (divided between the two pans). Add more or less to taste.
- Bake the Fries: Bake for 40 minutes, flipping the fries halfway through. Rotate the baking sheets top to bottom and bottom to top for even browning.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
Video
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
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.
Originally published September 2011, updated and republished August 2025
Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link your price will remain the same and The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting us, it helps us keep creating new recipes.
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We’re Donna and Chad, the dream team behind The Slow Roasted Italian. Our focus is on taking complicated OUT of the kitchen. Life is busy enough, making meals should be fast and easy, to help make your life as simple as possible. Read More >>
And this is why I love visiting your site- the most amazing and perfect recipes for my family. Those fries look to die for! Seriously, like I would eat the whole pan and say sorry to the rest of the family! Awesome
I could eat the whole basket full of those tasty baked fries. YUM!
MMmm these look great and I must say your pictures are awesome looking right now,
Great job..
Fries are one of my weaknesses, so yours would not last long around here. I have a recipe for the seasoning blend you used and it is pretty tasty-perfect for fries. Great post.
so what is in the seasoning?
Yes please let us know the recipe for the seasoning.
WOO HOO! It's time for a week of Donna! Happy Happy Happy Birthday to YOU! The countdown is on now.
And for the record, these fries were absurdly good. Pretty much the most addicting fries I've had in my life. Honestly, they were better than Red Robin's. Not sure how that's possible, since it's all of three ingredients and their own seasoning, but they were DEEEEEEEEElicious. Have I mentioned that often enough since I had them?
Thsi is simple and comforting/Well happy birtday than.Nice to read you:))
favourite way to have potatoes looks delicious
New to your blog! These look A-mazing!
After last night, I now understand why these are so much better! Good grief, there is no comparison. I can hardly wait to make these later this week, now that I have my own stash of the seasoning.
Ok, I'm making a pest of myself on this post, but I keep forgetting to ask while we are on the phone. (Feel free to delete my ramblings here – ha ha) Did you skip the cornstarch with this batch? And they were still crispy like the others?
No, there was not any corn starch on these when you ate them. Only on the garlic ones.
Oh fine, just confuse me, why don't you?
I always try to find recipes that BAKE rather than fry to cut down on the fat. These looked so good I could not resist making them. I tried it out last night and my kids went crazy over them and I quite liked them as well and easy to make!
yes please! I'm so glad I found your blog, newest follower!!! Love your recipes. You are making me hungry! 🙂 I'd love if you stopped by my blog and shared some love! http://bridgetbakes.blogspot.com/
Where do you find the fry seasoning?
Once you know what you need and how it goes together, head to the grocery store and pick up the ingredients. If you are concerned about calories, you can change things up. Use a veggie burger patty instead of a meat patty. Or use a low calorie option for sauces. Most importantly, when you cook it, you can cut out a lot of the grease and fat. Not only will you satisfy the Red Robin craving, you may have even shaved off a few calories.
I found this on the internet, I have never had Red Robin so not sure what it tastes like but am going to try this.
here is the recipe for Red Robin's famous seasoning.
Ingredients:
– 3 tablespoons salt
– 1 tablespoon instant tomato soup mix
– 2 teaspoons chili powder (don't over do it with this spice)
– 1/4 teaspoon cumin
– 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper (try to use fresh pepper corns)
Good luck copying your favorite Red Robin recipes!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2511137
Thank You
Where do you find instant tomato soup mix, I couldn't find it here in any of the stores. 🙁 Is there a substitute?
I believe Knorr mixes has a dry tomato soup mix.
Thank you Linda, I will check in to it.
Oh my goodness, my pantry has all the ingredients for this red Robin seasoning.
I am making fish tonight for supper and will definitely make these. 🙂
where do you get the Red Robin seasoning?
After you slice the potatoes, soak them in ice cold water for a bit. They will be extra crispy!
If the purpose of this recipe is to be able to make this at home, why did you not include a recipe for the seasoning? If I have to go to Red Robin to purchase their seasoning, I might as well just eat there. Otherwise, I love your site and most all of the recipes!
A reader above listed the recipe:
here is the recipe for Red Robin's famous seasoning.
Ingredients:
– 3 tablespoons salt
– 1 tablespoon instant tomato soup mix
– 2 teaspoons chili powder (don't over do it with this spice)
– 1/4 teaspoon cumin
– 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper (try to use fresh pepper corns)
Where do you purchase instant tomato soup? We do not have it in our stores.
Knorrs I think is carried in all the stores here anyway I have always seen it everywhere I have gone…But in the aisle where all the canned soups are usually…
I found the tomato soup mix at Smart & Final–with the mexican seasonings–Knorr el sopa de tomate
These fries were still fluffy inside but perfectly crispy on the outside with a great seasoned flavor!
this recipe is amazing! so easy to make and the Red Robin Fries turned out so delicious. Donna and Chad from The Slow Roasted Italian never disappoint!
Hi Dakota!
We’re so glad you enjoyed the recipe!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn