Baked Skinny Fries

Need a side for your favorite burger or wings? These deliciously crispy Baked Skinny Fries are always the answer. Made with a combination of potatoes and turnips, these fries are both skinny in size and lighter than typically fried french fries. 

I have always been a sucker for french fries, but they aren’t exactly the healthiest side dish. With this in mind, I have fallen in love with making healthier alternatives at home. From Baked Eggplant Fries to Spicy Green Bean Fries and absolutely everything in between, I truly love experimenting with unique, healthy fry recipes.

When it comes to making oven fries at home, I’ve always leaned more towards thin, skinnier fries than wedge-style fries. They cook quicker and are more likely to get perfectly crispy in the oven, without the need for tons of oil like the fried ones you’re used to.

As someone who is almost addicted to trying out new types of oven fries, it was only a matter of time before I stumbled across these delicious Baked Skinny Fries. Made with a mixture of potatoes and turnips, these healthy french fries have that same delicious, salty taste, but with only half the calories.

Turnips are similar to potatoes in both texture and flavor, so when mixed into a batch of potato fries—you won’t even be able to tell the difference. 

These delicious baked fries are beyond easy to make and come together in just 30 minutes. Try pairing them with some skinny ranch or sriracha for a healthy side dish that guarantees to please the whole family.

Key Ingredients

To make these delicious baked fries, you only need these three key ingredients:

• Potatoes: We’re sticking with the classics here and using potatoes as a base for this healthy fry dish. Many people prefer Russet potatoes for making into fries, but feel free to use any kind of potatoes you like.
• Turnips: Turnips have a similar texture and flavor to potatoes, making them the perfect sneaky substitute. Once they’ve been sliced, seasoned, and baked, it’s hard to tell which fry is a turnip and which is a potato. I dare you to guess!
• Olive oil: This helps our fries crisp up while baking and also helps achieve that beautiful golden color. If you don’t have any olive oil on hand, you can substitute it for avocado oil instead.
• Seasoning: I like to keep it simple with salt and pepper for my skinny fries, but you can use any kind of seasonings you prefer. Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Old Bay, and rosemary make fantastic additions.

Tips and Tricks for Crispy Baked Fries

Here are some of my top tips for creating the best Baked Skinny Fries:

• Use a mandolin. Here lies the secret to perfect, thinly-sliced potatoes and turnips. While any sharp knife will do, I’ve found that investing in a mandolin has made my life a whole lot easier.
• Soak your veggies for about 20-30 minutes in cold tap water. This will give them the best consistency for frying and help ensure that they get super crispy.
• Salt your fries while they are still hot. Salting your skinny fries while they’re still hot locks in the flavor and helps the salt to stick.
• Add cheese. To turn these delicious skinny fries into a batch of savory cheese fries, try sprinkling some parmesan, cheddar, or mozzarella cheese on top halfway through cooking them.
• Substitute sweet potatoes. If you prefer the flavor of sweet potatoes over that of regular, then you’re in luck! Sweet potatoes work great here too, and you can follow the same recipe to prepare them.
• Leave the skin on or peel it off. These delicious skinny fries taste great with their skin on or off, so feel free to try both and see which method you like best. 
• Line your fries in a single layer. When it comes to baking fries at home, always line your baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper and spread the fries out in a single layer. To make sure your skinny fries get as crispy as possible, you want to give them room and make sure none of the edges are touching.

How to Serve Baked Skinny Fries

These healthy french fries pair wonderfully with just about anything. They make a great, healthy side dish for burgers or barbecue nights, or as a snack on their own! To take these baked fries to the next level with a dreamy dipping sauce, here are some of my top picks:

• Creamy Chipotle Sauce
• The Best Skinny Ranch
• Yogurt Blue Cheese Dressing
• Healthy Honey Mustard

Storing Leftover French Fries

I’ll be totally honest and tell you that baked fries are best when enjoyed fresh out of the oven. That being said, if you happen to have some leftovers, you can easily store them for later. Simply let them cool down, then seal them in an airtight storage bag or container. Then, you can store them in one of two ways:

• In the fridge for up to 3-5 days.
• In the freezer for up to 3 months.

To reheat your frozen skinny fries, just pop them into a 350°F oven and heat until hot and crispy, or for about 10-12 minutes.

Main Dish Ideas

Looking for something to serve alongside these easy-baked fries. From burgers to wings to wraps, there are so many great options to turn these fries into a full meal. 

• Craving a burger? Try these Easy Ground Chicken Burgers, Black Bean Burgers, or easy Fish Burgers. 
• Love a good wing? Make these super crispy Baked Buffalo Wings, Sweet and Spicy Wings, or Baked Chicken Drumsticks.
• In need of some crispy chicken? Try these Baked Buffalo Ranch Chicken Tenders, Air Fryer Chicken Tenders, or Almond Crusted Chicken Tenders.