By Krista Teigen
Published Jan 2, 2026
Sometimes a basic fry doesn’t cut it, and that’s when I turn to make homemade crinkle cut fries. I’m telling you the crinkle makes them taste even better. Plus, they can be seasoned how I like and baked to the perfect golden brown. They’re basically a homemade copycat of the frozen crinkle cut fries from the grocery store, but fresher and way better. I make them for easy weeknight dinners, burger nights, or anytime I want a simple side that everyone actually gets excited about.
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Whenever I make regular homemade French fries , I rely on the same simple techniques used in this recipe: soaking the potatoes to remove excess starch, drying them really well, and giving them plenty of space on the pan so they bake instead of steam. With just gold potatoes, olive oil, and salt, these crinkle cut fries keep things simple while still delivering that classic fry flavor. This is a great base recipe using just salt, but the fries can be seasoned with just about anything, depending on what you’re serving or desire.
Tips for Beginners
- Always soak the potatoes. Soaking helps remove excess starch from the surface of the potatoes, which is key for crispier results in the oven. When you skip this step, the starch can cause the fries to steam and stick instead of browning. I’ve found that even a short 20 to 30-minute soak makes a noticeable difference in how golden and crispy the fries get once they bake.
- Dry the potatoes really well. Any leftover moisture will cause the fries to steam instead of crisp. I always pat them dry thoroughly after soaking, even letting them sit on the towel for a minute to air-dry.
- Avoid overcrowding the pan. Fries need breathing room to brown properly. If they’re piled or touching too much, they’ll stay soft. I always bake in batches, and it makes a noticeable difference.
- Flip halfway through baking. Turning the fries after the first bake helps both sides get evenly golden and prevents one side from overbrowning.
- Use gold potatoes for the best texture. Gold potatoes crisp up nicely on the outside while staying tender inside. Waxy potatoes, like red potatoes, don’t brown as well, and russets can dry out in the oven.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 5-6 gold potatoes
- ▢ 2 tbsp olive oil
- ▢ 1 tsp salt
Video
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Use a crinkle cutter to slice the potatoes into French fry-shaped pieces. 5-6 gold potatoes
- Soak the fries in a bowl of water for 20-30 minutes.
- Remove the fries from the water and dry them off with paper towels.
- Toss the fries in olive oil and salt. 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt
- 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.
Equipment
- 1 crinkle cutter
Becky’s Tips
- Add spices before baking for flavor, then finish with salt or flaky seasoning after baking to make the flavors pop .
- Parmesan or herbs are best added after baking .
- To make in the air fryer: Follow the instructions to prepare the potatoes. Arrange the fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches if needed, so they are not overcrowded. Air fry for 12–15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the fries are golden brown and crispy. Add additional time as needed, depending on the thickness of the fries and your air fryer model.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Crinkle Cut Fries Step by Step
Gather the ingredients: Gather all the ingredients together. Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Cut the fries: Use a crinkle cutter to slice 5–6 gold potatoes into evenly sized, French fry-shaped pieces.
Soak the potatoes: Place the sliced potatoes in a large bowl of cold water and soak for 20–30 minutes to remove excess starch.
Drain and dry: Drain the potatoes and dry them very well with paper towels, making sure there’s no excess moisture left on the surface.
Toss the potatoes: Transfer the dried potatoes to a bowl and toss with 2 tbsp olive oil and 1 tsp salt until evenly coated.
Spread the fries out: Spread the fries in a single, even layer on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between pieces. Bake in batches if needed.
Bake the fries: Bake for 15 minutes, flip the fries, then bake for another 15–20 minutes, until the fries are golden brown and crispy on the outside.
Serve and enjoy: Serve up with your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy!
What Else to Add
- Garlic powder or onion powder for classic savory flavor
- Paprika or smoked paprika for a subtle smoky note
- Italian seasoning or dried herbs for a herby twist
- Grated Parmesan or Pecorino sprinkled on right after baking
- Fresh herbs like parsley or rosemary for a bright finish
- A squeeze of lemon juice just before serving for balance
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover crinkle cut fries in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For the best texture, reheat them in a 400°F oven for 8–10 minutes, flipping once, until hot and crispy.
You can also reheat them in an air fryer at 375°F for 4–6 minutes. I don’t recommend microwaving, as it makes the fries soft. If you’re planning ahead, these fries can be baked, cooled, and reheated just before serving for the best results.
Serving Suggestions
I usually serve these crinkle cut fries with burgers, sandwiches, or hot dogs for an easy, no fuss meal. They are perfect for weeknight dinners, casual get-togethers, or game day next to cheeseburger sliders . Dip them into ranch dressing , ketchup, garlic aioli , or a simple chipotle mayo. Sometimes I finish them with a sprinkle of flaky salt or Parmesan right after baking, or toss them with a little garlic powder or paprika when I want to change things up.
More Homemade Potato Side Dishes
Au Gratin Potatoes
Roasted Baby Potatoes
Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe
Sweet Potato Fries
Crinkle Cut Fries
Equipment
- 1 crinkle cutter
Ingredients
- 5-6 gold potatoes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Use a crinkle cutter to slice the potatoes into French fry-shaped pieces. 5-6 gold potatoes
- Soak the fries in a bowl of water for 20-30 minutes.
- Remove the fries from the water and dry them off with paper towels.
- Toss the fries in olive oil and salt. 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt
- 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.
Video
Notes
- Add spices before baking for flavor, then finish with salt or flaky seasoning after baking to make the flavors pop .
- Parmesan or herbs are best added after baking .
- To make in the air fryer: Follow the instructions to prepare the potatoes. Arrange the fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches if needed, so they are not overcrowded. Air fry for 12–15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the fries are golden brown and crispy. Add additional time as needed, depending on the thickness of the fries and your air fryer model.
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
