This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Thick cut homemade french fries recipe made with 1 russet potato and cooked in the oven. This recipe for small batch baked french fries yields the perfect amount for one person. These homemade fries are crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside and perfect for dipping in your favorite sauce.
Why This Recipe Works
These easy to make homemade french fries are the perfect side dish to go with meat or fish. They’re also great to eat on their own, with a drizzle of malt vinegar, or dipped in your favorite french fries dipping sauce.
These potato strips are baked, not fried. Made with a drizzle of olive oil and lightly seasoned, these thick cut oven french fries are so incredibly delicious.
This recipe for small batch french fries will serve one or two people depending on the size of the potato you use.
RELATED: Single Serving Comfort Food Recipes
Ingredient Notes
See recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Potato: You just need 1 potato to make a small batch of french fries. I prefer using a russet potato because they crisp nicely when baked.
- Olive oil: I use extra virgin olive oil in this baked french fries recipe as well as in every other recipe on One Dish Kitchen that calls for olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil is the least processed form of olive oil. It is an unrefined oil and the highest-quality olive oil you can buy. Because of the way extra virgin olive oil is made, it retains more true olive taste. It also contains more of the vitamins and minerals found in olives. It’s my favorite type of olive oil to use but you may use a lighter olive oil instead.
- Seasonings: Salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
How To Bake French Fries
- Cut a large russet potato into thick strips. You do this by first cutting the potato in half, then cut each half in half. Slice each half into 2-4 potato strips, depending on the size of your potato.
- Drizzle a little olive oil over the potatoes.
- Add a pinch of salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning and mix together with your hands.
- Place the tray of potato strips into a preheated 400° F (200 ° C) oven and bake for 25 minutes.
RELATED: 40 Easy Recipes For College Students
These thick-cut oven fries are so much better than restaurant fries. I think you’ll love them too!
Expert Tips
- Cut potatoes into evenly sized pieces so they bake evenly and finish baking at the same time.
- I usually do not peel the potato but you certainly can if you want to.
- Leave a little space between the potato wedges so that they crisp all the way around and don’t stick together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Russet potatoes are the best potato to use for baked french fries. Their thick skins guarantee a crispy outside and the insides become fluffy when baked.
Make sure you use plenty of oil. The oil prevents the potatoes from sticking to the baking sheet and they also give the potato wedges crisp, caramelized edges.
Also be sure to leave space around the potatoes on the sheet. Overcrowding in the pan will cause the potatoes to steam rather than bake properly.
Serving Suggestions
French fries would go well with any of these single serving recipes:
Other Single Serving Potato Recipes
- Scalloped Potatoes
- Mashed Potatoes
- Chili Cheese Baked Potato
- Potato and Asparagus Crustless Quiche
- Hash Browns
- Twice Baked Potato
- Potato Soup
- Garlic Smashed Potatoes
If you would like more information on the baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.
For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.
If you’ve tried these baked french fries or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
If you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see!
Small Batch Baked French Fries
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 large russet potato – scrubbed, rinsed, and dried
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Scrub potato. Cut the potato into thick strips. You do this by first cutting the potato in half, then cut each half in half. Slice each half into 2-4 potato strips, depending on the size of your potato. Spread out in an even layer on a baking sheet.
- Drizzle the olive oil over the potatoes.
- Add salt, pepper and Italian seasoning and mix together with your hands.
- Place the tray of potato strips into the oven and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove baking sheet from the oven, allow to cool a bit before handling and enjoy!
Notes
- Cut potatoes into evenly sized pieces so they bake evenly and finish baking at the same time.
- I usually do not peel the potato but you certainly can if you want to.
- Leave a little space between the potato wedges so that they crisp all the way around and don’t stick together.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Can you use an air fryer?
We have not tested this recipe using an air fryer but other readers have with success.
After cutting the potatoes, I soak them in water for 25 minutes rinse, dry, then add them back to a bowl to mix the seasonings.
Very easy recipe. One medium russet potato was just enough. Not quite as crispy as fried but a lot less greasy. So glad I didn’t stop at the drive thru.
Would it be easier to put the cut up potatoes into a bowl, then add the spices and olive oil and hand mix. Then place on baking tray one at a time? I just thought that you might get a better uniformed coating this way.
What size is the tray?
I use a rimmed baking sheet that is 10″ x 15″. You can use any size that holds the french fries without crowding them.
Love your recipe!
Mmmm this was fabulous! Love the simple seasonings that I already had in my cupboard!