Simple Homemade Cottage Fries
Classic Cottage Fries are round thinly sliced seasoned potatoes baked to a golden crispness. Home fries baked in your own oven are a great alternative to regular fries.
Sometimes you just want a simple burger with fries to satisfy everyone’s hungry bellies.
Instead of ordinary french fries, try this easy recipe that everyone will love!
Cottage fries resemble the shape of shingled roofs on little cottages, which is how they got their name!
What a cozy comfort food to come out of your own kitchen!
If you want something other than a burger with your fries, Classic Cottage Fries also taste great with my Best Grilled Chicken Sandwich or my recipe for the Easiest French Dip Sandwich Recipe with Beef Roast.
Whatever you decide to serve it with, I know you and your family will be delighted with this recipe!
What are Classic Cottage Fries?
Classic Cottage Fries are another way to serve fries to your family, other than traditional fries or steak fries.
The nice thing about this simple cottage fry recipe is that it can be made in the oven, an air fryer, or in a skillet on the stove.
This crispy savory dish can also be served as an appetizer or even a snack for movie night with the kids.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Classic Cottage Fries are a taste of home that the family won’t be able to get enough of!
- Everyone loves a delicious new potato recipe to try!
- These cottage fries can be served with lots of add-ins if you desire to dress them up a bit!
- This side dish is very simple to make and a delicious complement to any meal, or it can be served as an appetizer!
Tell Me About Classic Cottage Fries
- Taste- Classic Cottage Fries have a wonderful salty, spicy, and savory flavor.
- Texture- Crispy on the outside and fluffy potato on the inside make each bite a delight!
- Ease- This is an easy way to make home fries! There are very few ingredients and very few steps involved in preparing this great side dish!
- Time- It only takes a total time of 15-20 minutes to prepare the potatoes. Overall baking time is about 30 minutes.
Ingredients for Classic Cottage Fries
- Russet Potatoes- Also known as Idaho potatoes, these potatoes are large and good to use for baking and french fries. Starchy potatoes are best for this recipe. You can also use Yukon golds.
- Olive or Avocado Oil- Avocado oil can tolerate higher cooking temperatures, but both oils will work.
- Paprika- Paprika is a spice made of ground red peppers. It has a flavor that can be both spicy and sweet.
- Sea Salt- Sea salt is less processed than table salt and comes from evaporated salt from the ocean. It contains more trace minerals than table salt. Table salt usually has iodine added to it.
- Garlic Powder- Garlic powder is simply dried and ground garlic. It is used to add flavor to many recipes.
- Thyme- Thyme is an herb used to flavor dishes.
- Black Pepper- Black pepper is a very common spice.
Make Classic Cottage Fries in 3 Easy Steps
- After preheating your oven and placing parchment paper on your large baking sheets (you may need more than one), the first step is to thinly slice your potatoes to about ¼” thick. If you cut them thinner, they will be like potato chips. Leave the skins on the potatoes.
- Toss the potato rounds in a large bowl with olive oil and then add your seasonings. Toss them in the oil one more time. In a matter of minutes, you’re ready for the last step.
- Lay the potato slices on the baking sheet in a single layer. Bake the cottage fries for 20 minutes. Make sure you turn the slices over and bake for another 10 minutes until the fries are a golden color. Enjoy!
Substitutions for Classic Cottage Fries
- Cayenne Pepper– This spice adds an extra spicy zing to the recipe!
- Taco Seasoning– You can use this spice if you like a Mexican flare to your recipe.
- Lemon Pepper– This seasoning adds a lemony pepper taste to your fries.
- Greek Seasoning– Dried herbs and spices add a Mediterranean taste to the fries.
- Chili Powder- Chili powder is made of chili peppers and other spices.
- Italian Seasoning- This seasoning is made of several different dried herbs.
Add-Ins for Classic Cottage Fries
- Sour Cream– Sour cream and potatoes were made for each other!
- Cheese– Grated cheese such as cheddar, parmesan, mexican style, or pepper jack taste great sprinkled on top of the cottage fries after baking. If you like the cheese to be more melted, be sure to add it while the fries are still hot!
- Guacamole or Avocado– Guacamole on the side or dolloped on top of the cottage fries is another delicious topping.
- Cooked Bacon- Bacon is the perfect crispy flavorful topping for any type of potato!
- Green Onion- Chopped green onion adds an extra pop of flavor to this recipe.
- Salsa or Tomatoes- These extra ingredients add a fresh delicious taste to your potato slices.
- Sliced or Diced Peppers– Whether jalapeño or bell peppers, either type of pepper would add an extra crunch and zing to your fries!
Tips for Making the Classic Cottage Fries
- Try dipping your french fries in your favorite sauce!
- Try not to slice the potatoes thinner than ¼” as they might get too crispy or burned when baked. If you slice them thicker it will take longer for them to cook.
- Do not crowd the slices of potato on the baking sheet as they won’t cook as thoroughly or get as crispy.
Air Fryer Method of Making Classic Cottage Fries
Classic Cottage Fries can be cooked in your air fryer.
- Set the air fryer for 400°. The recipe is the same whether you bake them in the oven or cook them in the air fryer.
- You will want to make sure that you do not overlap the potato slices so that they cook evenly. It is best to air fry them in a single layer in the bottom of the air fryer basket.
- Do not spray the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray. Since you have coated your potato slices with oil, that will be sufficient.
- Cook the fries for a total of 14 minutes but be sure to turn the slices over halfway during the cooking time. Air fryer cottage fries may become one of your favorite air fryer recipes!
Can Classic Cottage Fries be Made on the Stove?
Yes, the stove is a great way that you can make Classic Cottage Fries. Just be sure to use a large skillet.
- Follow the same recipe as you use for the oven.
- Then place the fries in a heated skillet. Place the lid on top for 10 minutes.
- Take the lid off and turn all of the potatoes over to cook on the other side.
- Replace the lid and cook for another 10 minutes.
- Take the lid off and brown the potatoes on both sides for a few more minutes. Now they are ready to serve!
- You can even fry a couple of eggs on top to make it more of a breakfast skillet.
How Do You Store These Easy Cottage Fries?
You can store Classic Cottage Fries in an airtight container for up to four days in the refrigerator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it does not change the recipe as far as seasonings or cooking time.
Yes, as long as it is a starchy potato such as a yukon gold potato.
Yes, you can. In fact, they can last for several months in the freezer. Thaw them the day you want to reheat them.
No, you do not need to boil them. Just go ahead and follow the recipe for the perfect crispy cottage fries!
You can if you would like for about 10 minutes in a bowl of cold water. It helps to keep the potatoes from sticking together, as well as producing a crisper fry. If you decide to do this step, thoroughly dry the potato slices off with paper towels.
Homemade Cottage Fries Recipe
Homemade Cottage Fries
Equipment
- 1 baking sheet
Ingredients
- 4 Russet potatoes thinly sliced
- 3 Tb Olive or avocado oil
- 1 tsp Paprika
- ½ tsp Sea salt
- ½ tsp Garlic powder
- ½ tsp Thyme
- ½ tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F. Place parchment paper on a baking sheet.
- Slice your potatoes thinly (1/4 inch thick) so they resemble potato chips.
- In a large bowl, toss the potatoes with the oil and coat them thoroughly.
- Add in the seasonings and toss again.
- Lay them in a single layer on the baking sheet.
- Roast the potatoes for 20 minutes. Turn the slices over and roast for another 10 minutes.
- Enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Try dipping your french fries in your favorite sauce!
- Try not to slice the potatoes thinner than ¼” as they might get too crispy or burned when baked. If you slice them thicker it will take longer for them to cook.
- Do not crowd the slices of potato on the baking sheet as they won’t cook as thoroughly or get as crispy.
