By Krista Teigen
Published Jan 21, 2026
If you’re looking for a new way to enjoy potatoes, these crispy cottage fries are for you. The well-seasoned potato rounds bake up crispy on the outside and oh so fluffy on the inside. They’re the perfect shape for dipping into your favorite sauces and make for great game day appetizers or dinner sides. Slice, soak, season, and bake for a no-fuss potato side that comes together with just a handful of pantry staples.
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When I first tried cottage fries, I was amazed at how such basic ingredients could taste. I’m not sure why, since that’s my reaction to most potato variations. They just keep getting better, so crave-worthy. Slicing russet potatoes into rounds, soaking them, and baking them with olive oil and simple seasonings creates the perfect balance of crispy edges and fluffy centers. I love serving them with dipping sauces or as a side for burgers and sandwiches, and they’re always the first thing to go.
Tips for Beginners
- Slice thickness matters. Thinner potato rounds bake up crispier with more crunch, while slightly thicker slices give you a softer, fluffier center with crisp edges. I like to cut them ¼ inch thick so they’re crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
- Soak the potato slices before baking. Soaking removes excess surface starch, which helps the cottage fries bake up crisp instead of gummy and prevents them from sticking together in the pan.
- Dry the potatoes really well before adding oil. Any leftover moisture on the surface prevents browning. Pat them dry with paper towels until they feel completely dry to the touch.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan. The potato slices need space for hot air to circulate. If they’re touching or stacked, they’ll steam instead of crisp, so use two pans if needed.
- Flip halfway through baking. Turning the slices ensures both sides get direct contact with the hot pan, which helps them brown evenly and develop crisp edges on both sides.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 6-7 small russet potatoes
- ▢ 2½ tbsp olive oil
- ▢ 1 tsp salt
- ▢ ½ tsp garlic powder
- ▢ ½ tsp onion powder
- ▢ ½ tsp paprika
- ▢ ¼ tsp pepper
Instructions
- Slice the potatoes into ¼-inch thick rounds. 6-7 small russet potatoes
- Soak the rounds in a bowl of water for 20-30 minutes. Then, drain the water and dry the potatoes off with paper towels.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F.
- Toss the potatoes in the olive oil and seasonings. 2½ tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, ½ tsp paprika, ¼ tsp pepper
- Spread the pieces out in an even layer on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Do this in batches if needed.
- Bake for 15 minutes. Flip the fries. Then, bake for another 15-20 minutes until the fries are golden brown and crispy.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Cottage Fries Step by Step
Gather all the ingredients together.
Slice the potatoes. Cut 6–7 small russet potatoes into evenly sized ¼-inch thick rounds so they cook at the same rate.
Soak and dry. Place the potato rounds in a bowl of cold water and soak for 20–30 minutes to remove excess starch. Drain well, then pat the potatoes completely dry with paper towels. Heat the oven to 425°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Season the potatoes. Toss the dried potato slices with 2½ tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, ½ tsp paprika, and ¼ tsp black pepper until evenly coated.
Arrange on the pan. Spread the seasoned potato rounds in a single, even layer on the prepared baking sheet, making sure the slices do not overlap. Use two pans if needed.
Bake until crispy. Bake for 15 minutes, flip each slice, then continue baking for another 15–20 minutes, or until the cottage fries are golden brown with crispy edges and tender centers.
Serve and enjoy: Serve with your favorite dipping sauces. Enjoy!
How to Store and Reheat
Store any leftover cottage fries in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. To reheat, spread them out on a baking sheet and warm in a 400°F oven for 5–8 minutes, or air fry at 400°F for 5–7 minutes until hot and crispy again. Avoid reheating in the microwave, as it will soften the fries and take away their crisp edges. These fries are best enjoyed fresh, but reheating in the oven or air fryer brings back the texture nicely.
Serving Suggestions
I usually serve these cottage fries hot from the oven alongside burgers, steak sandwiches , or classic meatloaf for an easy, satisfying meal. They’re also perfect for dipping, so I like to set out a few sauces like garlic aioli , ketchup, fry sauce, or a yogurt dill dip and let everyone help themselves. For something a little more fun, they pair really well with air fryer steak bites or chicken tortas . These fries also make a great game day appetizer when you need something shareable alongside hot honey chicken wings .
more yummy potato recipes to try
Roasted Baby Potatoes
Greek Potatoes
Parmesan Potato Wedges
Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe
Cottage Fries
Ingredients
- 6-7 small russet potatoes
- 2½ tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp pepper
Instructions
- Slice the potatoes into ¼-inch thick rounds. 6-7 small russet potatoes
- Soak the rounds in a bowl of water for 20-30 minutes. Then, drain the water and dry the potatoes off with paper towels.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F.
- Toss the potatoes in the olive oil and seasonings. 2½ tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, ½ tsp paprika, ¼ tsp pepper
- Spread the pieces out in an even layer on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Do this in batches if needed.
- Bake for 15 minutes. Flip the fries. Then, bake for another 15-20 minutes until the fries are golden brown and crispy.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
