Crunchy on the outside, fluffy inside, and perfectly seasoned – our 3-ingredient oven-baked Old Bay Fries are an absolute treat. With an easy recipe that delivers big on taste, they’re your new go-to side!

old bay fries on white platter with side of ketchup. this recipe
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Reasons to Love this Recipe

You might have used Old Bay seasoning before – this unique mix of 18 herbs and spices was originally designed for seafood  – but being so versatile, it can really go on anything from chicken Chesapeake, Maryland crab soup, to crab and corn chowder.

So here we combine Old Bay’s robust and zesty flavor with our easy-to-make oven-baked fries. Just follow our expert tips below, and you’ll have golden, crunchy fries with exceptional flavor in no time. 

And since our Old Bay crispy oven fries recipe is so easy to make – from the slicing to the seasoning to the baking – there’s no need for fancy techniques or equipment.

It’s a great side dish to add to your BBQ chicken sliders, grilled chicken sliders or grilled chicken drumsticks. Need something fast that pairs well with almost anything? This is a great choice – we’ve even given you some great ideas for the mains below. 

Ingredients

Find the ingredients to make these delicious oven-baked Old Bay Fries in your local grocery store:

ingredients for old bay french fries.
  • Russet potatoes: These are ideal for oven fries due to their high starch content. This results in a fluffy interior, while the outside crisps up beautifully in the oven.
  • Old Bay seasoning: What sets these fries apart! The seasoning infuses our fries with a unique, robust flavor, turning simple potatoes into a mouthwatering, gourmet side dish. Find this seafood seasoning where the seafood is sold or on Amazon.
  • Olive oil: This gives us that delicious, golden crispiness. The olive oil coating ensures each fry gets a beautiful crunch, while also improving the overall flavor.

See the recipe card for quantities.

Step by Step Instructions

Let’s dive right into our baked fries recipe. If you need more help, just check the recipe card below.

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F. Grab a large baking sheet, line it with parchment paper, and set it aside.

cut up potatoes on a cutting board.

Step 1: Cut the potatoes into 1/4-to-1/2-inch thick fries.

sliced potatoes in a bowl covered by water.

Step 2: Put the potatoes into a large bowl and cover with cold water for 30 minutes.

cut up potatoes drying on a towel.

Step 3: Drain the potatoes and transfer them to a clean towel. Make sure to dry very well – changing out the towel if needed.

potatoes in a bowl covered by seasoning.

Step 4: Add the potatoes to a clean and dry bowl. Add olive oil and Old Bay seasoning.

potatoes in a glass bowl tossed with oil and spices.

Step 5: Toss the potatoes until they’re well coated with oil and seasoning.

french fries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Step 6: Spread the potatoes out on the prepared sheet pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, then flip, and bake for another 5 minutes.

Expert Tips

With just a little extra prep, take your homemade french fries to the next level with these expert tips:

  • Choose wisely: Russet potatoes are the go-to for fries. Their high starch content gives you that magical, crispy exterior and fluffy interior.
  • Soak ’em: To score those ultra-crispy baked fries, give your potatoes a good soak – this helps remove excess starch. So, plunge them in water for at least 30 minutes, then rinse.
  • Towel time: After rinsing, get those potatoes super dry. Spread them on a baking tray and use a clean kitchen towel to blot away any water. You could even pop them in the oven for a bit before adding the oil and seasoning. Remember, the drier, the crispier!
  • Spread out: To avoid steamed, soggy fries, lay them in a single layer on the baking pan with space around them. This simple trick helps to achieve that maximum crunch factor.
  • Wait for it: Patience is a virtue, especially when baking fries. Hold off on flipping until they’ve had 25 solid minutes to form a nice crust.

What to Serve With

Looking for some easy summer main dishes to serve with your crispy Old Bay Fries? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

  • Grilled Garlic Shrimp: Grilled lightly and seasoned with a hint of garlic – these shrimp are a seafood lover’s delight.
  • Grilled Chicken Tenders: Bathed in a zesty lemon marinade before hitting the grill. Simplicity at its best, and oh-so-tasty!
  • BBQ Chicken Sliders: Easy-to-make, stuffed with flavorful chicken thighs, and dripping with homemade BBQ sauce.
  • Jalapeño Turkey Burgers: Turkey patties spiced up with jalapeño, topped off with creamy guacamole, fresh salsa, and any topping your heart desires.
  • Chicken Kebabs: Chicken chunks marinated in yogurt, seasoned with a dash of garlic and spices, and finished with a bright lemon and cilantro kick.
  • Lettuce Wrap Tacos: Spicy turkey tacos wrapped in lettuce help keep the carbs under control.

Recipe FAQs

What’s close to Old Bay seasoning?

If you’re in a pinch and out of Old Bay, you can try to recreate a similar flavor with common pantry spices – though the complete Old Bay recipe is still a bit of a mystery.

A mix of celery salt, paprika, ground black pepper, cayenne pepper, mustard powder, nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom, allspice, and crushed bay leaves should be quite close. 

Can I make Old Bay Fries with sweet potatoes?

Absolutely, you can! Sweet potatoes would be a unique twist. Their natural sweetness contrasts beautifully with the savory, spiced Old Bay seasoning. 

Just remember that sweet potatoes might take a little longer to cook than regular potatoes. Check out our roasted sweet potato wedges recipe.

Why are my fries not crispy?

Fries not quite as crispy as you’d like? There could be a few reasons: 

First, make sure your fries are well-dried before baking – water stops them from crisping up. Use clean kitchen towels or even give them a quick blast in the oven to get them dry.

Second, don’t overcrowd the baking sheet. Keep to one layer with space between each fry. You don’t want them to steam instead of roast. 

Lastly, don’t skimp on the oil. It’s the key to that golden, crispy exterior!

Can I use other types of potatoes?

Yes, you can experiment with other types of potatoes. Maris Piper or Yukon Golds can be a great alternative.

But remember, Russets are ideal for fries because of their high starch content – meaning they get that crispy outside and fluffy inside we all love!

french fries on a white platter with a ketchup to the side.

You May Also Like

Baked Potato Fries with Avocado Dip

Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges

Oven Roasted Rosemary Potatoes

Garlic Parmesan Potatoes in Cream Sauce

If you try Old Bay Fries, please leave a star rating and let us know how you like the recipe in the comments below.

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old bay fries on white platter with side of ketchup.

Old Bay Fries

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 3 reviews
  • Author: Katya
  • Prep Time: 45 min
  • Cook Time: 30 min
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x
  • Category: Side
  • Method: Roasted
  • Cuisine: American
Print Recipe

Description

Crunchy on the outside, fluffy inside, and perfectly seasoned – our 3-ingredient oven-baked Old Bay fries are an absolute treat!

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 1/2 lbs. Russet potatoes, peeled
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp. Old Bay seasoning

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper and set aside.
  2. Cut the potatoes into 1/4-to-1/2-inch thick fries. Add to a large bowl and cover with water for at least 30 minutes.
  3. Drain and rinse the potatoes, then transfer to a clean towel and dry very well, changing out the towel as needed.
  4. Add potatoes to a clean bowl or the same bowl as before, just make sure to wipe it dry. Add olive oil and seasoning, and toss to coat, making sure the spices and oil are well distributed.
  5. Spread the potatoes into a single layer on the prepared sheet pan, preferably so they’re not touching. Bake for 25 minutes on the middle rack, undisturbed, then flip and bake for 5 minutes more. Feel free to add more seasoning after the fries are done. 

Notes

  • Doubling the recipe: If doubling the recipe, you’ll need two sheet pans, otherwise, the fries will be too crowded and won’t crisp up. The top of the oven is often hotter than the bottom, so make sure to rotate the pans.
  • Serving: These fries have a spicy taste to them so they serve great with a cooling dip such as buttermilk ranch dressing or even tzatziki yogurt sauce.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6 oz.
  • Calories: 179
  • Sugar: 1.1 g
  • Sodium: 12.3 mg
  • Fat: 5.4 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30.7 g
  • Protein: 3.6 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg