Seasoned beautifully with smoked paprika, garlic and onion powder, homemade Steak Fries in the oven never tasted so good. Using a double-bake method to keep them crispy is the secret to success. You’re going to love these paprika fries.
Serve these Paprika Fries with a selection of dipping sauces such as Chipotle Mayo, Spicy Lemon Aioli and ketchup.
What Are Steak Fries?
Steak Fries are thick sliced potato wedges rather than skinny cut potatoes used to make regular French Fries. In Culinary School, we referred to them as Steak Frites, and we made them like steakhouse fries are made (in steak houses), where we double fried the wedges in a commercial deep fryer.
For this recipe, we’re skipping all that grease and making them crispy in the oven. And seasoning them with smoked paprika. I call these paprika fries.
Oven baked Steak Fries are perfect alongside Steakhouse Burgers , Grilled Chicken, or even served with to Grilled T-Bone Steaks.
This no-fuss recipe will become a family favorite. After all, French Fries are one of America’s favorite finger foods.
Baked Steak Fries come with less grease, which make them healthier. And with a crispy crunch you won’t even miss those deep fried potatoes.
Once you get those potatoes peeled, these fries are easy – peasy.
Parboil the potato wedges pat them dry, toss them in oil, season, and off to the oven they go.
And we’re not just using any paprika, smoked paprika not only adds color, but a rich layer of smoky flavor that you’re going to love.
Let’s take a look.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Russet Potatoes
- Olive Oil
- Seasoning For Steak Fries: Smoked Paprika, dried parsley, onion powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, freshly ground pepper.
Ingredient Subs:
- Oil: Substitute canola or vegetable oil.
- Spices: Have fun and make it yours. Use a commercially purchased Cajun seasoning. Or make them true steak fries and use a steak seasoning like Montreal Steak Seasoning.
- Salt: Substitute sea salt for Kosher salt.
- Paprika: Don’t substitute regular paprika and smoked paprika, just say yes to Smoked Paprika Fries. If you’re feeling in a spicy mood, use hot smoked paprika. It will bring a punch of heat, so be careful.
What Kind Of Potatoes Are Best?
- Baked potato sized Russet Potatoes are best to make oven steak fries. Russet potatoes are high in starch, which means when they cook they’ll have a fluffier texture. In this case, they’ll be crispy on the outside and fluffier on the inside. Russets are also perfect mashed potatoes, soups and baked potatoes.
- Waxy potatoes, like Yukon Gold and Red Potatoes are lower in starch, making them better for potato salads. They’ll hold their shape better once cooked, and they’ll be easier to slice. Even though the size might be good, stick with russet potatoes for fries.
How To Make Oven French Fries Crispy
Most of the great fries you get in restaurants are deep fried using a commercial deep fryer. And are actually twice fried. Once at a lower temp to temper the moisture level in the potato, and then fried at a higher temperature to crisp them up. Most of us don’t have a commercial deep fryer in our kitchen, nor do we probably want one, so why not take the grease out of the equation and make these paprika fries in the oven. Here are some tips:
- Soak the potatoes. Once you have the potatoes cut into wedges, soak them in water for about 30 minutes. This will remove some of the starch and will make a crispier fry.
- Dry The Potatoes. A very important step. Patting the potatoes dry before seasoning will remove the moisture that will cause the potatoes to “steam” as they cook rather than crisp.
- Then oil and season. The oil is required for crisping those fries.
- Double Bake: Bake the fries at 375 degrees for a short time to start the cooking process. Then turn the heat up to 425 to crisp them.
How To Cut Potatoes Into Wedges.
- Step 1: Simply slice the potato in half long ways.
- Step 2: Lay the potato flat, cut side down and cut them in half again.
- Step 3: Then cut those into smaller wedges.
- Step 4: Cut them again, into steak fry sized wedges, about ¾″ to 1″ thick.
You’ll get 6 – 8 wedges from one good sized russet potato. Don’t worry, they won’t all be exactly the same size.
How To Make Baked Steak Fries (Paprika Fries)
- Step 1: Once the fries have been soaking in water, simply turn on the burner and par-boil them until slightly tender. About 6-8 minutes. A fork should be able to pierce the potato without breaking it. If the potatoes start to break apart, remove them from the heat immediately. That means they’re getting too done.
- Step 2: Place the potatoes on a clean kitchen towel and with another towel, pat them dry. Get them as dry as you can. Place them in a large bowl and toss them with the oil and the seasonings.
- Step 3: Transfer the paprika fries to a sheet pan. Don’t over crowd, try to space them out. If the potatoes are crowded, they won’t crisp up as well. They need space for air to circulate. Cook the potatoes for 15 minutes at 375 degrees, then turn the heat up to 425 degrees to finish. Line the sheet pan with parchment paper or spray with non-stick cooking spray for easier clean up.
Tips For Success:
- Don’t skip parboiling. This will release some of the moisture in the potato before it hits the oven. This will help the outside crisp and the inside to stay creamy. How to know when they’re par-boiled? Insert a knife into one of the wedges. If the knife will insert somewhat easily but not release, you’ve done a good job.
- Use just enough oil to coat the potatoes. Too much will equal too crispy and not in a good way.
- Don’t over-crowd the sheet pan. Space out the potatoes for even roasting.
- Don’t pamper or fuss over the potatoes. Let them brown completely on one side before turning.
How To Reheat Paprika Fries
- An air fryer works great to reheat these fries. In just a few minutes time they’ll crisp up like a charm.
- Reheat fries in the oven on a sheet pan in a 375 degree oven for 5 – 10 minutes.
- Using a microwave simply doesn’t work. It will only make for fries soggy.
One of my favorite way to eat left-over Steak Fries is for breakfast the next morning served with an Mexican Omelette. Yes please.
You know this is a great recipe when Hubs announced twice “man these potatoes are good” with no mention of the sauerkraut slathered beer brat on the other side of the plate.
I hope you give these Steak Fries a try. They’ll soon be one of your favorite side dish recipes. Potatoes simply go with everything.
Make It A Meal, What To Serve With Steak Fries
Also called steak frites, here are some more serving suggestions. My favorite steak recipe to serve with Steak Fries is this one for Grilled T-bone Steaks with Cowboy Butter. Here are some more ideas.
- Flank Steak Topped with Chimichurri Sauce. Perfect!
- Grilled Beef Sirloin Steak
- Curry Lemon Sirloin Steak Beef Kebabs
More Potato Recipes You Might Like
Looking for something more exotic than ketchup to dip those fries? Take a look at this recipe for Fry Sauce.
And if you’re looking for more side recipes, check out my Side Dish Category, you’ll find lots of great recipes, including the most popular on my site for Broccoli Cheez Whiz Casserole.
If you liked this recipe, please leave a star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the recipe card below and leave a comment. I always appreciate your feedback and hearing how everything went.
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Homemade Oven Steak Fries (Paprika Fries)
Ingredients
- 2 pounds potatoes peeled, cut into wedges. 2 – 3 russet potatoes.
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon hot smoked paprika
- ¾ teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- In a small bowl mix together all the spices.
- Peel the potatoes and cut them into wedges.
- Place potatoes in a large sauce pan of water and let them soak for 30 minutes.
- Slowly bring them to a boil and let them cook until about ¾ of the way done. About 6-8 minutes. A fork should easily slide into the potato, but not break it.
- Drain the potatoes well, then place them on a very clean kitchen towel. Using another towel, pat as dry as you can get them.
- Toss potato wedges in olive oil. Add spices, toss gently to coat.
- Arrange, in one layer, on a baking sheet that's been sprayed with a non-stick cooking spray or lined with parchment paper. Bake at 375 for 15 minutes. Using a spatula, turn the potatoes. Then raise temperature to 425 degrees for the remaining 15 minutes. Or until potatoes are golden and crisped. Watch them close so they don't burn.
Notes
- Parboil potatoes before roasting. This will release some of the moisture in the potato before it hits the oven. This will help the outside crisp and the inside to stay creamy. How to know when they’re par-boiled? Insert a knife into one of the wedges. If the knife will insert somewhat easily but not release, you’ve done a good job.
- Use just enough oil to coat the potatoes. Too much will equal too crispy and not in a good way.
- Don’t over-crowd The pan. Space out the potatoes for even roasting.
- Don’t pamper or fuss over the potatoes. Let them brown completely on one side before turning.
- What kind of potato should I use for oven steak fries? Nothing too waxy. Stick with Yukon Gold or Russet.
- Paprika: Don’t substitute regular paprika and smoked paprika, just say yes to Smoked Paprika Steak Fries. If you’re feeling in a spicy mood, use hot smoked paprika. It will bring a punch of heat, so be careful.
Nutrition
Oven Steak Fries …They’re What’s for a Side Dish.
Why Trust These Recipes? Lea Ann Brown has lived, worked and played in Colorado for 45 years. She has immersed herself in the Colorado Culinary space, is a Culinary School Graduate and publishes her Colorado food Blog, Cooking On The Ranch.
I like making oven fries, mainly because I am too darn lazy to use oil, ha ha. These look excellent, especially with the brats.
Well I couldn’t agree more Chris.
I wish you didn’t live so far north either!!!! 🙂
Is there anything better than a crispy, seasoned potato fry? I think not! This sounds like a wonderful recipe and with your husband’s testimonial one worth trying. Love the action shots and that adorable pooch!
Thanks Susan. I’m probably the last person on earth to try oven fries. I liked em.
SO happy that you loved the recipe!! I am super biased but she was definitely one of the cutest pups and you little guy, Chili is SO adorable also!! Thanks for the kind words, made my night 🙂
Thanks for the easy and flavorful recipe Louisa. Those potatoes made my night.
Potatoes and puppies, two of my very favorite things!
🙂
These fries look perfect and great pictures too. I’ve enjoyed reading about your adventures with Big Dude and Bev. Great people.
Good to hear from you Penny. Bev and Larry are most certainly great people.
Cute puppy shots LA. You’s look good, but I’ve yet to make oven fries that I really like as they always turn out with a dry chewy outside and a dryer than I want inside, but if you guys liked them, I’ll give them a try. Did you use waxy or baking potatoes?
hmmmmm… well, this is the first time I’ve tried them. I grabbed just plain ol Russett potatoes. However, one of them had very yellow skin, so I’m thinking a Yukon gold snuck into the wrong bin. These were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside and with great flavor. I thought they were a tad greasy because I had too much olive oil in the bowl when I coated them. (Didn’t measure). And the oven temperature was 400 degrees. I thought that helped for a good sear. Also, I cleaned them good with a brush and mostly left the skin on. Just peeling away some of the parts that were messy.
I love roasting potatoes in the oven…so much easier than frying. Her spice combo sounds delicious. I’m making pork chops tonight, and a version of this recipe will be the side dish!
I think the spice combo for this was excellent. I probably won’t play around with it for awhile.
So cute puppy and so delicious fries 😉
Thanks Axelle. 🙂
Yeah, I can pretty much stop anything for potatoes and puppies. Holy heck your dog (and Louisa’s) is friggin’ adorable. The potatoes sound scrumptious.
Thanks Colleen. I happen to think my little Chili is pray-shuss ….. do you think he’s very spoiled? 🙂
I LOVE making oven fries (and I love making them on the grill too!!)! And I think your pictures look wonderful!!!
I’ve grilled them many times but never baked. Loved this recipe.
That Chili was the cutest puppy ever! What an adorable face! Your fries look delicious.
Well I dunno Karen, your little guy is right up on the “cute” scale.
Sophie is so crazy cute!!
My oven fries never come out super crisp…but these look perfect!
I think Sophie is adorable. I’d scoop her up in my arms and Louisa would have a hard time getting her back.
What an adorable face. Who could say no 🙂
It doesn’t get much better than potatoes & pups. We love oven fries at our house. Forget the frying – these are soooo much easier and better for your too.
Sam
I hardly make “fried” fries. Such a mess. There were incredibly easy and so tasty.
Thanks so much April. Those little pups will definitely melt your heart.
Well I think your photos are great – those oven fries look awesome and look so appetizing! Great choice!
Thanks for stopping by and the comment Shelley. Those oven fries were awesome.
AWWhhh, I’m in love with that little puppy, just adorable and great photos! There is nothing better than great Fries and this recipe is awesome! Great selection for the SRC.
Miz Helen
Thanks Miz Helen. And we really liked those fries.
Everything tastes better when they are roasted in the oven. The fries look amazing
I agree Judee. And they were so crispy on the outside and soft and yummy in the middle.
Don’t be so hard on yourself– your photos are really nice! They draw me into your post and make me want to look around at more recipes. I like this recipe and idea of baking the fries. I never have much luck with frying things and get scared of the hot oil. This is the way to go.
AND if you don’t get the oil hot enough, then you have a greasy end result. I’m sticking with baking for fries.
Those “fries” look divine, girl! And the photo is good, too. (so there) I bought a sack of potatoes from Costco that are just sitting in my pantry teasing me. Going to make these for a side dish to the pulled pork sandwiches I was planning for tonight’s game. The doggie pics are adorable!
Well I’m getting better. I’ll remember how to run that point and shoot about the time my DSLR comes back. Pulled Pork???? omg that sounds good.