These golden brown cottage fries are crisp on the outside and tender and fluffy on the inside and simply irresistible. Using only 6 ingredients, these fries are ready in 30 minutes and can be made in oven or air fryer, making it the ultimate side or party snack!
This post contains helpful tips and tricks! If you’re in a rush, please use the “Jump to Recipe” above!
💭 Why you’ll love this recipe
- Easy to prepare. These cottage fries use only a handful of simple ingredients and are ready in 30 minutes.
- Full of flavor. Whether you prefer to only season them with salt, or add fresh herbs and spices, you can customize this to your liking!
- Super versatile. Serve cottage fries as an appetizer or snack or pair them with your favorite main dishes!
📋 Ingredients and notes
To make cottage fries, you’ll need Russet potatoes, olive oil, paprika, sea salt, fresh rosemary, and ground black pepper.
Variations & Substitutions
- Russet potatoes. Russet potatoes are high in starch content, but still hold their shape well, leading to a fluffy and tender center. However, if you already have Yukon Golds or red potatoes on hand, you can also use them.
- Herbs and spices. This recipe uses a simple seasoning mix with paprika, sea salt, fresh rosemary, and ground black pepper. You can also add dried thyme, garlic powder, chili powder, and red pepper flakes.
- Dipping sauces. While you can never go wrong with ketchup, experiment with other sauces like garlic aioli, BBQ sauce, ranch, mayonnaise, honey mustard, sour cream, and so much more.
📖 How to make cottage fries
Step 1:
Preheat your oven to 430ºF (220ºC) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. You can also use a non-stick baking sheet instead.
Step 2:
Slice the potatoes into ½” rounds, make sure they are dried, if you need, pat them with paper towels. Transfer the potato rounds to a large bowl, drizzle with olive oil, add seasonings, and mix thoroughly to ensure even coating.
Step 3:
Arrange the seasoned potato slices in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
Step 4:
Bake for 15 minutes on one side. Flip the potatoes and cook for another 15 minutes. This ensures both sides cook evenly or until the potatoes are tender, but are crisp with a golden exterior.
Serve with ketchup or other sauce of your choice!
👩🏽🍳 Tips for the best cottage fries
⭐ Russet potatoes are preferred for cottage fries due to their high starch content, which then leads to a fluffy interior and crispy exterior. Yukon Gold potatoes have lower starch and don’t get as crispy, while red potatoes, fingerling potatoes or sweet potatoes will need adjustment of cook times and also produce a different texture. Keep this in mind while selecting potatoes!
- Ensure uniform thickness while slicing the Russet potatoes. This ensures even cooking, resulting in uniformly crispy cottage fries. You can use a mandoline or a food processor for precise slicing if you have one of those.
- Pat dry potatoes before drizzling with oil to enhance crispiness.
- Spread the seasoned potato slices in a single layer on the baking pan. Avoid overcrowding to allow proper air circulation, which promotes even browning.
- Rotate the baking sheet halfway through to ensure the fries are cooking evenly. This will ensure crispy fries on all sides.
👩🏽🍳 Troubleshooting FAQs
To make cottage fries extra crispy, soak sliced potatoes in a bowl of water for 30 minutes to remove extra starch. Then, pat them dry with a towel to remove excess moisture before drizzling with olive oil and seasoning.
Peeling the potato skin isn’t necessary for making cottage fries, as it won’t really affect the flavor of the fries, and will only add a slightly different texture. It’s only a matter of personal preference and the fries will still be delicious whether you leave the skin or peel it!
🍟 What are cottage fries?
The term “cottage fries” is believed to have come from their resemblance to shingled roofs when stacked together. Cottage fries are made from potatoes cut in wedges or rounds, seasoned with herbs and spices, and then fried or baked in the oven until they become crispy and golden brown. Serve them as a snack, appetizer, or side dish!
🍴 How to serve cottage fries
Cottage fries are the perfect comforting snack, appetizer, or an easy side dish. Make any dish even better by serving them with cottage fries! Pair them with sandwiches, vegetarian burgers, hearty salads, and grilled vegetables.
🍴Storage and reheating suggestions
Cottage fries are best eaten while still fresh and hot.
If you have any leftovers, transfer them to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. I do not recommend freezing these.
To reheat, preheat the oven to around 380-400°F. Spread the fries in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake until they are heated through and crispy, which may take about 10-15 minutes. You can also reheat in an air fryer.
🍴 More delicious potato recipes
If you liked these cottage fries, try some of these delicious “fried” potato recipes. Or better yet, check out all my potato recipes!
Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
Air Fryer Frozen French Fries
Authentic Bombay Potatoes (Spicy Indian Potatoes)
Easy Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes (Vegan)
If you tried this recipe, don’t forget to comment and rate! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cottage Fries
Ingredients
- 4 Russet potatoes, medium, washed and dried
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ¾ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh rosemary
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 430ºF (220ºC) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. You can also use a non-stick baking sheet instead.
- Slice the potatoes into ½” rounds, make sure they are dried, if you need, pat them with paper towels.
- Transfer the potato slices to a large bowl, drizzle with olive oil, add seasonings, and mix thoroughly to ensure even coating.
- Arrange the seasoned potato slices in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 15 minutes on one side. Flip the potatoes and cook for another 15 minutes. This ensures both sides cook evenly or until the potatoes are tender, but are crisp with a golden exterior. Serve with ketchup or other sauce of your choice.
Notes
- Russet potatoes are preferred for cottage fries due to their high starch content, contributing to a fluffy interior and crispy exterior. Yukon Gold potatoes have lower starch and don’t get as crispy, while red potatoes, fingerling potatoes or sweet potatoes will need adjustment of cook times and also produce a different texture.
- Ensure uniform thickness while slicing the Russet potatoes. This ensures even cooking, resulting in uniformly crispy cottage fries. You can use a mandoline or a food processor as well if you have one of those.
- Spread the seasoned potato slices in a single layer on the baking pan. Avoid overcrowding to allow proper air circulation, which promotes even browning.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
