Crispy Cottage Fries
Crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside, round cottage fries are a game day showstopper.
Serves4
Prep5 minutes
Cook30 minutes to 45 minutes
There’s definitely no shortage of ways to make a totally irresistible batch of fries at home (air fryer fries, shoestring fries, and waffle fries, to name a few). But there’s one impossibly comforting and shockingly simple version I keep coming back to again and again: cottage fries. These seasoned rounds are lightly crisped on the outside and super fluffy on the inside, and I can never resist reaching for just one more. Best of all, I can prep all of the ingredients in a matter of minutes (no fancy slicing required here!), and in just 30 minutes I have a side the whole table will love. They go with just about everything and, when partnered with a sauce for dipping, they also make an easy appetizer (a must for game day!) guaranteed to be devoured in no time.
What Are Cottage Fries?
These are quite possibly the easiest of all fries to make at home. Served as a side dish, appetizer, or snack, cottage fries are potatoes (preferably Russet, but more on this below) cut into 1/2-inch rounds, seasoned, and roasted in a hot oven until they’re crisp and lightly browned on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
What Type of Potatoes Should I Use?
Russet potatoes (sometimes labeled baking potatoes) make really great cottage fries. These potatoes are super starchy, which make for fries with super-fluffy centers.
But what about Yukon Golds? If you have them on hand already, they also work for cottage fries, so go ahead and use them. These potatoes aren’t as starchy as Russets, so you won’t get fries with the same fluffy centers. Instead expect cottage fries that are a little more dense and creamy in the center.
For this recipe you’ll need two pounds of Russet potatoes (about four to five medium potatoes). And to be sure the fries cook evenly, choose potatoes that are roughly the same size.
Read more: A Visual Guide to Potato Varieties
Best Seasoning for Cottage Fries
Cottage fries are seasoned with a simple mix of basic spices and seasonings.
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Dried thyme
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
Best Dipping Sauces for Cottage Fries
You can never go wrong with dipping cottage fries (or any fries, really!) in ketchup, although all dipping sauces are fair game. Here are a few other dipping sauces we love with cottage fries.
Cottage Fries Recipe
Crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside, round cottage fries are a game day showstopper.
Prep time 5 minutes
Cook time 30 minutes to 45 minutes
Serves 4
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
- 4
medium russet potatoes (about 2 pounds total)
- 3 tablespoons
olive oil
- 1 teaspoon
paprika
- 3/4 teaspoon
kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon
garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon
dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon
freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 425°F.
Cut 4 medium russet potatoes crosswise into 1/2-inch thick rounds. Place on a large rimmed baking sheet, drizzle with 3 tablespoons olive oil, and season with 1 teaspoon paprika, 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Toss to coat. Arrange in a single layer so that no potatoes are overlapping.
Roast until the bottoms are lightly browned, 20 to 25 minutes. Flip the potatoes with a thin metal spatula or tongs. Roast until the other side is lightly browned, about 10 to 20 minutes more. Serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
Potato size: If using larger potatoes, you may need to spread your sliced potatoes onto 2 large rimmed baking sheets to avoid overcrowding the pan.
Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days.