Italian Seasoned Potato Fries

Love crispy, delicious fries but are tired of the same old thing? Then you’re going to love this fun spin on a classic. The crispy and unique Italian seasoned potato fries are a great side dish, appetizer, or snack. This is a simple recipe with simple flavors, but easier than ever to make! They’re made with fresh potatoes and a blend of herbs and spices that give them a unique flavor profile you won’t find anywhere else.

Serve them up at your next party or potluck and watch them disappear in minutes. You can also enjoy them as a quick snack or side dish – they’re perfect for any occasion. And, if you want something a bit more traditional, make these homemade baked waffle fries too! Or go a bit unique and make a plate of classic poutine fries instead!

round black plate of layered fries with bacon and cheese

Ingredients

1 pound Russet potatoes (500g)
1 ½ teaspoon salt (9)
½ teaspoon black pepper (3g)
1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning (2.5g)
10 strips bacon
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (22.5g)
¼ cup fresh chopped parsley (15.5g)

round light teal plate of Italian seasoned fries on black table

Handy Kitchen Tools

Italian fries stacked on black plate by fresh rosemary

How to Make Italian Seasoned Potato Fries

This recipe requires a bit of prep work. So, plan for 15 to 20 minutes of just preparing the potatoes. Peel them, rinse them, then slice them into ¼" or thinner slices. Once sliced, submerge in water until ready to fry.

hands pushing potato slices into bowl of water

Now, or after the potatoes cook, you want to cook the bacon until crisp. Crumble into small pieces once fried (3 to 4 minutes per side, or 6-7 minutes if chopped). Drain on paper towels and set this aside to assemble later.

Now, pat your potatoes dry well, then place them into a deep pan or skillet of hot vegetable oil.

Be careful not to overcrowd the pan, but cook the potato fries for 2 to 3 minutes, turning as needed. Once they are golden brown and crisp, remove them from the oil and let them drain on paper towels.

Once all of the potatoes are cooked, toss them or sprinkle them with salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and any other herbs or spices you prefer.

hand salting fried Italian seasoned fries

To serve, layer the potatoes on a plate with potatoes, then a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, then sprinkle the crumbled cooked bacon.

single fry being dipped into ketchup above plate of Italian seasoned potato fries

Chef's Tip

When you need thin slices of any vegetable, but especially potatoes, a mandolin slicer is a great choice. This tool allows you to set the thickness and provides you with a guard so you are safer when sliding the potato over the blade. You'll have an identical thicknesses on your potatoes that will cook evenly.

If you like this easy recipe and want more beginner recipes to try you might also be interested in my latest cookbook release, The Complete Cookbook for Beginners. Tips, skills, and 101 recipes for the beginner cook to learn from!

light teal plate of Italian seasoned fries topped with bacon and onion

Frequently Asked Questions

What Makes These Different Than Normal Fries?

Two things make these different than a traditional French fry. The first is that these are cut into rounds and thin rather than thick sticks/spears. Additionally, they are seasoned with herbs rather than just salt.

The key to these delicious fries is in the seasoning. I use a ready-made Italian seasoning blend, but you can make your own. Oregano, basil, rosemary, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika are all great additions. This gives them a wonderfully fragrant aroma and flavor that will have your taste buds tingling.

What Oil is Best for Making Homemade Fries?

I always recommend using peanut, or canola oil when making anything fried at home. They have a high smoke point, which means they can withstand the high heat of the fryer without burning. This helps to ensure that your fries come out nice and crispy on the outside, while still being cooked through on the inside.

Of course, you can always use vegetable oil if that’s what you have on hand. Just be aware that it has a lower smoke point than peanut or canola oil, so you may need to adjust your cooking time accordingly.

Why Are My Homemade Fries Soggy?

The number one reason why homemade fries are often soggy is that they’re not cooked at a high enough temperature. The ideal cooking temperature for French fries is between 375°F and 400°F. If your oil isn’t hot enough, your fries will absorb too much of it and end up greasy and limp.

Another common mistake is overcrowding the fryer. If you try to cook too many fries at once, they won’t have enough room to circulate and will end up sticking together. This also prevents them from getting nice and crispy. So, make sure to cook them in batches if necessary.

image looking down on bowl of fries with bowl of ketchup on the side

What Can I Serve For Dipping Fries Into?

In our house, dipping sauces almost take over the refrigerator. We are a family that loves foods that can be dipped into different flavored sauces. If you like to dip your fries, you may need a fork to do so with these, but they will be delicious. Below are a few favorite choices that we have on hand for dipping Italian-seasoned potato fries into.

Ranch dressing
Ketchup
Honey mustard
Cheese sauce or queso
Greek yogurt (with or without herbs)
Mayo and ketchup "fry sauce"
Sriracha and mayo mixture
BBQ sauce

fresh rosemary and ketchup on black plate by Italian seasoned potato fries

More Easy Recipes

Have more potatoes on hand than you know what to do with? Look no further! We have tons of great potato recipes to appeal to your taste buds. Whether it's a traditional side or a fun snack, below are more of our favorites. Make sure that you bookmark these to make it soon. You can also print out the recipe or pin it to Pinterest to keep them handy!

📖 Recipe

Yield: 2

Italian Seasoned Potato Fries

Italian seasoned potato fries are a perfect addition to your appetizer or side dish menu with simple seasonings and a hint of cheese and bacon!

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

1 pound Russet potatoes (500g)
1 ½ teaspoon salt (9)
½ teaspoon black pepper (3g)
1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning (2.5g)
10 strips bacon
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (22.5g)
¼ cup fresh chopped parsley (15.5g)

Instructions

Begin by peeling the potatoes and then slicing them into thin rounds. This is easiest using a mandolin slicer but can be done with a knife. ¼" thick is what your aim should be. As you slice them, put them in a large bowl of water, making sure the potatoes are submerged.
Once all of the potatoes have been sliced, you will then heat your vegetable oil in a deep skillet or deep fryer.
Then, pat the potatoes dry with paper towels.
Place the potatoes into the hot oil, and cook them for 2 to 3 minutes, turning halfway through, until they are crisp and golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels.
Sprinkle with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
Now, in a clean skillet, cook the bacon for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until crisp, or chop it into small pieces and cook for 6 to 7 minutes, stirring regularly, until desired crispness. Remove from the skillet and drain on paper towels.
To serve, build the potatoes in layers with potatoes, a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, a bit of fresh parsley, and a sprinkle of the cooked crumbled bacon. do this in 2 to 3 layers for each serving.