Garlic Fries (Crispy Restaurant-Style Fries In The Oven)

These garlic fries are crispy, golden, and bursting with garlicky flavor—just like the kind you’d get at your favorite bistro or steakhouse. Oven-baked to perfection and tossed with fresh garlic, parsley, and oil, they’re the easiest way to turn a bag of frozen fries into something restaurant-worthy. They’re crunchy on the outside, fluffy inside, and loaded with buttery, aromatic garlic flavor in every bite. Whether you’re serving them with burgers, grilled chicken, or steak, these oven baked garlic fries take any meal up a notch. And if you’ve tried my Louisiana Voodoo Fries or Cajun Fries, you already know I have a knack for turning classic French fries into irresistible, flavor-packed sides—this one’s no exception.

Why I Love This Garlic Fries Recipe

This garlic fries recipe started on a night when I was tired of eating frozen French fries the same way—just dipped in sauce. I wanted to give the fries their own bold flavor, something so good you could eat them on their own. I thought about making garlic parmesan fries, but I was out of cheese, so I improvised. I tossed baked fries in garlic and parsley, took one bite, and realized I’d nailed it on the first try. Rare, but it happens—and that’s how these crispy garlic fries were born.

I've tried to make this recipe simple, so you only need a few basic ingredients to make it, and the results are amazing every single time. Baking the fries at a high temperature gives you that crispy, golden texture without deep frying, and the fresh garlic-parsley oil adds flavor that hits right away. It’s a quick, foolproof way to upgrade frozen fries into a crave-worthy side dish that goes with everything—from burgers and fried chicken to grilled steak or seafood.

These homemade garlic fries also make an incredible appetizer for parties, game days, or date nights in. They’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that proves you don’t need a fryer to make restaurant-style fries at home.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 (28 oz) bag frozen French fries
• ¼ cup vegetable oil, divided
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ cup fresh parsley, finely minced
• Salt and pepper, to taste

How To Make Garlic Fries

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C). Lightly coat two baking sheets with cooking spray and set aside.

Step 2: Coat the Fries

Add frozen fries to a large bowl. Drizzle with half of the oil and toss until evenly coated.

Step 3: Bake Until Crisp

Spread fries in a single layer on the baking sheets. Bake for 20 minutes, until browned and tender.

Step 4: Crank Up the Heat

After 10 minutes, increase oven temperature to 500°F (260°C) and bake for another 7–10 minutes, or until fries are golden and crispy.

Step 5: Make the Garlic-Parsley Oil

While fries bake, mix remaining oil, minced garlic, and chopped parsley in a large bowl.

Step 6: Toss & Serve

When fries are done, transfer them immediately to the bowl with garlic oil. Toss to coat evenly, season with salt and pepper, and serve hot.

Expert Tips for The Best Garlic Fries

• Use two baking sheets for perfectly crispy fries. One of the biggest mistakes people make when baking fries is overcrowding. When fries are piled together, they steam instead of being crisp. Using two baking sheets and spreading the fries in a single layer ensures that the hot air can circulate around each piece, giving you crispy, evenly browned garlic fries every time.
• Crank up the heat at the end. That final blast of heat — raising the oven to 500°F (260°C) — is what takes these from “baked fries” to restaurant-quality garlic fries. It creates that deep golden crust without needing to fry. Just watch closely during the last few minutes; they brown fast!
• Toss them right after baking. Timing matters. The fries absorb the most flavor when they’re still hot out of the oven, so toss them in the garlic-parsley oil mixture immediately. The heat helps infuse every fry with garlicky goodness while locking in that crisp texture. Waiting too long can make the oil sit on top instead of soaking in.
• Always use fresh garlic and parsley. Fresh ingredients are key here. Fresh minced garlic adds a punchy aroma that pre-minced or jarred garlic can’t match, and fresh parsley gives the fries a pop of color and flavor. Dried herbs or bottled garlic just won’t deliver that same vibrant, buttery-garlic bite.
• Add garlic after baking — not before. Garlic burns quickly at high temperatures and turns bitter, so don’t bake it with the fries. Instead, stir it into the oil mixture after baking. The residual heat from the fries warms the garlic just enough to bring out its natural sweetness without burning it.
• Customize your flavor. Once you’ve mastered the base recipe, make it your own. Add grated Parmesan for garlic-Parmesan fries, a pinch of Cajun seasoning for a spicy twist, or a drizzle of truffle oil for an elevated restaurant-style version. You can even sprinkle on red pepper flakes for a subtle heat kick.
• Make them in the air fryer for easy cleanup. For an even faster version, make air fryer garlic fries. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 15–18 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Once they’re golden and crisp, toss with the garlic-parsley oil right before serving for that same irresistible flavor and crunch.
• Serve immediately for maximum crispness. Garlic fries are best enjoyed hot and fresh out of the oven. If they sit too long, the steam and oil start softening the crust. Serve them straight from the baking sheet to the plate — no waiting, no reheating.

Garlic Fries Flavor Variations To Try

• Garlic Parmesan Fries: Add ¼ cup grated Parmesan to the garlic-parsley mix before tossing.
• Spicy Garlic Fries: Stir ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or chili oil into the garlic oil.
• Truffle Garlic Fries: Replace vegetable oil with truffle oil for a gourmet twist.
• Lemon Herb Fries: Add 1 teaspoon lemon zest for a fresh, zesty finish.
• Loaded Garlic Fries: Top with melted cheese, bacon bits, and a drizzle of ranch.

Garlic Fries FAQs

Can I use fresh-cut potatoes instead of frozen fries?

Yes — fresh-cut fries work in this recipe. Just cut your potatoes into even strips, soak them in cold water for at least 30 minutes, and then dry them thoroughly with paper towels. This step removes excess starch and helps them crisp up instead of steaming in the oven. Follow the same baking method, adding 5–10 extra minutes to the cook time since fresh potatoes take longer than frozen fries to brown and crisp.

What kind of fries work best?

For the crispiest garlic fries, use crinkle-cut or straight-cut fries. They have the perfect thickness to crisp up on the outside while staying fluffy inside. Avoid shoestring fries—they cook too fast and can burn easily at high oven temperatures. Waffle fries or steak fries also work well if you prefer a thicker bite with more surface area for that garlicky oil to cling to.

Can I use olive oil instead of vegetable oil?

Absolutely! Olive oil adds a delicious, rich flavor that complements the garlic perfectly. Just keep in mind that it browns faster than neutral oils, so keep an eye on your fries near the end of baking to prevent over-browning. If you want the best of both worlds, mix half olive oil and half vegetable oil for extra flavor without sacrificing crispness.

Can I make these ahead of time?

Garlic fries are best served hot and fresh, right out of the oven when they’re at peak crispiness. However, you can prep the garlic-parsley oil up to a day in advance and store it in the fridge. When ready to serve, bake or reheat your fries, then toss them in the oil mixture just before serving for that freshly made taste.

Can I store leftover garlic fries?

Yes — you can store leftover garlic fries for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Make sure they’ve cooled completely before transferring them to an airtight container or resealable bag to prevent moisture buildup, which can make them soggy. For best results, spread the fries in a single layer before storing so they don’t stick together.

How do I reheat garlic fries?

To bring leftover fries back to life, bake them at 425°F (220°C) for 8–10 minutes on a baking sheet until they’re hot and crisp again. Avoid microwaving—they’ll lose their crunch. If you have an air fryer, that’s even better! Reheat at 375°F (190°C) for 4–5 minutes, shaking once halfway through.

Can I add cheese?

Definitely! A sprinkle of Parmesan or pecorino cheese is a simple way to turn these into garlic Parmesan fries. Add the cheese right after tossing the fries in the garlic oil so it melts slightly and sticks to the hot fries. You can also toss in mozzarella for gooey, cheesy garlic fries or add a drizzle of ranch or aioli for an extra indulgent finish.

My Final Thoughts

These oven-baked garlic parsley fries are crispy, golden, and loaded with flavor. With just frozen fries, garlic, parsley, and a drizzle of oil, you can create restaurant-style fries right at home—no deep fryer required. They’re easy, fast, and guaranteed to be the first thing to disappear from the table. Try these fries and leave a comment and review below—I'd love to hear how they turn out!

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