These classic Cottage Fries are a tasty upgrade from the frozen fries you can get at the grocery store. Not only are they incredibly easy to prepare, but they’re also better for you since they’re made with fresh ingredients. You can bake these crispy potato rounds in the oven or use your air fryer.

Crispy Cottage Fries make a delicious snack or a tasty side dish for some of your favorite meals. Season them up with rosemary and thyme or add some cayenne powder for a spicy kick!

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What Are Cottage Fries?

Cottage Fries are shaped differently from French fries. Fresh potatoes are cut into thin, round slices, tossed in olive oil and seasoned with herbs before being baked or air fried. Some say they’re called Cottage Fries because when the slices are neatly stacked, they look like the shingled roof of a cottage.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Potatoes: This is the star of the show! Choose large potatoes that are ideal for baking. We like using Russet potatoes for Cottage Fries that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Olive oil: It will will add the best flavor to your fries, but you can use vegetable or Canola oil if that’s what you have at home.
Italian Seasoning: Or herbes de provence, or rosemary and thyme. Use your preferred seasoning blend to add flavor to your potato slices. Italian seasoning is a great option, or simply use dried thyme and rosemary.
Paprika (optional): Or smoked paprika or cayenne for a kick. Want to add some color and extra spice to your Cottage Fries? Opt for smoked paprika for a milder flavor or cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.

How to Make Cottage Fries

1. Scrub the potatoes clean, then slice them widthwise into rounds about ¼-inch thick.

2. You can drop them into a large bowl of cold water to remove excess starch that can make them stick together, which also makes them fluffier. Pat dry the potatoes with paper towels.

3. Add to a large bowl along with the olive oil, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt and pepper.

4. Toss to coat thoroughly.

5. Arrange the potatoes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.

6. Bake at 425°F until golden and puffy, about 12 minutes. Flip the potatoes and bake for another 12 minutes or until golden.

Best Potatoes for Cottage Fries

Ruseet potatoes are hands down the best potatoes for Cottage Fries. These oblong-shaped potatoes are ideal for cutting into thin slices and their higher starch content makes them great for making fries. The thick skin on a Russet Potato gets nice and crispy when baked or air fried. If you can’t get Russet potatoes, Yukon Gold is another great option.

Why Soak Potatoes for Cottage Fries?

You should definitely be soaking your potatoes before baking or air frying. This step helps to remove excess starch from our potatoes to prevent the slices from sticking together. Soaking in water before cooking also leads to crispier fries.

Tips for Making it Ahead

Making Cottage Fries ahead of time is a great idea for meal prepping or for having a tasty snack on hand for when you get the munchies later on. All you need to do is prepare and bake the fries halfway, let them cool and store them in the fridge for up to three days. When you’re ready to eat, pop them in the oven to finish up the baking process and enjoy!

How to Make Cottage Fries in an Air Fryer?

The air fryer is an easy, convenient and healthy way to make crispy, delicious Cottage Fries. Wash, slice and soak your potatoes, then dry them off and toss them in a thin layer of oil and your seasoning blend. Spray the bottom of your air fryer basket with oil to help prevent sticking. Air fry at 400°F for 6 minutes, then flip them over and air fry for another 6 minutes.

Where to Buy Cottage Fries?

If you prefer not to make your Cottage Fries from scratch, you can purchase pre-prepared, frozen Cottage Fries at your grocery store. These are found in the same freezer as French fries and are a convenient and easy way to enjoy crispy potato rounds at home.

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Cottage Fries Recipe

These classic Cottage Fries are a tasty upgrade from the frozen fries you can get at the grocery store. Not only are they incredibly easy to prepare, they’re also better for you since they’re made with fresh ingredients. You can bake these crispy potato rounds in the oven or use your air fryer.

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 25

Servings:

Author: Izzy

Ingredients

▢ 4 large potatoes about 3 lbs (see note)
▢ 2 tablespoons olive oil
▢ 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning or to taste
▢ 1/4 teaspoon paprika optional
▢ salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 425°F. placing the oven rack in the middle position.
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Note: You can also use two medium baking sheets.
Scrub the potatoes clean to remove all direct and debris. Then slice them widthwise into rounds about ¼-inch (7 mm) thick (see note).
Optional: As you slice the potatoes, drop them into a large bowl of cold water. This step removes excess starch that can make them stick together, and also makes them fluffier.
Quickly pat dry the potatoes with paper towels. Add to a large bowl along with the olive oil, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt and pepper. Toss to coat thoroughly.
Arrange the potatoes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake until golden and puffy, about 12 minutes. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and use kitchen tongs to flip the potatoes. Bake another 12 minutes or until golden.

Equipment

Baking Sheet

Mixing Bowl

Notes

Potatoes: Try to use starchy potatoes such as russets or Yukon Golds. In a pinch, an all-purpose / medium-starch potato such as Round White or Red Bliss.
Slicing: Slicing is most easily done with a mandolin, but you can also use a food processor fitted with an adjustable blade or just a paring knife and cutting board.
Storage: Cool completely and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge or 1 month in the freezer.