Garlic Parmesan Fries

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I love rutabaga fries and zucchini fries for healthy options, but let’s be real… sometimes you just want real French fries. These savory homemade garlic parmesan fries are my favorite! Fresh cut potatoes get a star treatment with crispy parmesan cheese, aromatic garlic, a blend of spices, and a technique to make them super crispy, for a restaurant-worthy dish.

I typically enjoy these parmesan garlic fries as an easy side dish, but they also pair well with other healthy appetizers like a basket of jalapeno poppers, hands-off slow cooker garlic parmesan chicken wings, easy buffalo chicken meatballs, or 3-ingredient queso dip.

Ingredients & Substitutions

This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for baked garlic parmesan fries, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

• Yukon Gold Potatoes – I used Yukon Gold potatoes because they have a rich, buttery flavor that creates the perfect balance of crunchy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside. You could also use russet potatoes or any other kind you prefer.
• Olive Oil – Helps the seasonings stick and ensures that the fries get crispy. Avocado oil or your favorite cooking spray will work as well (though it will take quite a few sprays to reach the amount of oil needed).
• Parmesan Cheese – I used pre-grated parmesan for convenience. Add more at the end to taste.
• Garlic Powder – I prefer this over fresh minced garlic because it won’t burn.
• Salt & Pepper – You will need sea salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. See more seasoning ideas below!

How To Make Garlic Parmesan Fries

This section shows how to make parmesan garlic fries, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.

1. Cut. Slice the potatoes into fries with a chef’s knife. I recommend about 1/3 inch thick. (Baking time can vary if yours are a different thickness, and 1/3 inch achieves both crispy outsides and soft insides.)
2. Soak. Place fries in a large bowl of cold water, enough to submerge them. Soak for at least 20 minutes. Drain and pat dry with a kitchen towel.

TIP: Soaking is the key to super crispy garlic parmesan fries!

This draws out some of the starch from the spuds, which helps them get more crispy when baking and also prevents them from sticking together.

3. Prep. Preheat oven. Grease 2 small-medium baking sheets, or one extra large baking sheet.
4. Season. Place fries in a dry bowl. Drizzle with olive oil. Add grated parmesan, garlic powder, sea salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Toss to coat.
5. Bake. Transfer fries to the baking sheet(s), leaving space between the pieces. Bake parmesan garlic fries in the oven, until golden and crispy.

VARIATION: Air fryer garlic parmesan fries!

To cook in the air fryer, simply arrange the fries in a single layer in the basket. (Cook in batches if necessary.) Air fry for about 15 minutes at 400 degrees F, shaking the basket halfway through.

6. Cool. Allow fries to cool for 5 minutes to crisp up more. Add more salt, pepper, and parmesan to taste, if desired.

Seasoning Variations

I love the garlic and parmesan flavors of these fries, but you can quite literally add any seasonings you like to them. Try these easy variations:

• Add a couple teaspoons of chopped fresh herbs, like parsley, thyme, or rosemary
• Drizzle finished fries with melted garlic butter or truffle oil
• Omit parmesan and finish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lime

Or, simply add 3 tablespoons of any of these seasoning mixes for a unique flavor:

• Ranch seasoning
• Cajun seasoning
• Italian seasoning
• Taco seasoning (I’m thinking taco chili cheese fries!)

Storage Instructions

• Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
• Reheat: To reheat leftover garlic and parmesan french fries, spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees F for 8-10 minutes, or until warm.
• Freeze: You can freeze garlic parmesan fries after baking, or blanch in boiling water before seasoning and freezing. Either way, the best method is to cool completely, spread in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag once frozen solid. They will last up to 6 months in the freezer, and you can bake them from frozen.

What To Serve With Parmesan Garlic Fries

Not sure what to pair with your homemade fries? You can’t go wrong with these pairings:

• Dipping Sauce – Dips are key for any fry recipe, don’t you think? Try some sugar-free ketchup (pictured above), or my personal favorite, classic ranch dressing. You can also get creative with sugar-free BBQ sauce, 5-ingredient homemade mayo, quick lemon garlic aioli, or Asian-inspired spicy mayo.
• Kid Favorites – Instead of stopping at a fast food restaurant, make these fries with some homemade gluten-free chicken nuggets, bacon wrapped hot dogs, or crispy chicken tenders for a complete kid-approved meal.
• Burgers – French fries are the perfect side dish to a juicy burger, or for a lighter alternative, try turkey burgers.
• Steak – Serve sirloin steak, classic New York strip, or even air fryer steak for a “steak frites” experience.
• Sandwiches & Wraps – These spuds go with just about any sandwich! They also go with lighter options like bell pepper sandwiches, crunchy cucumber subs, or simple lettuce wraps.

More French Fry Recipes

Looking for more easy fry recipes? Move beyond plain potatoes with these delicious and creative french fry recipes:

Jicama Fries

Zucchini Fries

Rutabaga Fries

5 from 4 votes

Garlic Parmesan Fries (Easy & Super Crispy!)

These easy garlic parmesan fries are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and loaded with flavor… all with just 5 simple ingredients.

Prep: 30 minutes

Cook: 30 minutes

Total: 1 hour

Author: Maya Krampf from WholesomeYum.com

Servings: 4 (adjust to scale recipe)

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Ingredients

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• 1 3/4 lbs Yukon gold potatoes (~5 medium) ▢
• 3 tbsp Olive oil ▢
• 3/4 cup Grated parmesan cheese (plus more to taste at the end) ▢
• 2 tbsp Garlic powder ▢
• 1/2 tsp Sea salt (plus more to taste at the end) ▢
• 1/2 tsp Black pepper (plus more to taste at the end) ▢
• 1/4 tsp Cayenne pepper ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.

1. Slice potatoes into fries with a chef's knife, about 1/3 inch thick. (I left the skin on, but you can peel if you prefer.)

2. Place the fries in a large bowl and submerge in cold water. Soak for at least 20 minutes. Drain and pat dry.

3. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C). Grease 2 small-medium baking sheets, or one extra large baking sheet.

4. Place the fries into a dry, large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese, garlic powder, sea salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.

5. Transfer fries to the baking sheet(s), leaving space between the pieces.

6. Bake garlic parmesan fries in the oven for 15 minutes. Flip and bake for 15-20 minutes, until golden and crispy.

7. Allow the fries to rest for 2 minutes.

8. If desired, season with additional salt and pepper to taste, and serve with more parmesan.

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Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 cup

Nutrition Facts

Amount per serving. Serving size in recipe notes above.

Calories 336

Fat 15.6g

Protein 10.3g

Total Carbs 40.2g

Net Carbs 35.4g

Fiber 4.8g

Sugar 1.7g

Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keywords: garlic parmesan fries, parmesan garlic fries

Calories: 336 kcal

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