Crispy Cottage Fries Recipe: Homemade Seasoned Potato Wedges

These crispy oven-roasted cottage fries are the ideal shape for dipping. They make a tasty side for chicken, meatloaf, burgers, and sandwiches. You can make these cottage fried potatoes with just a few pantry ingredients and about 10 minutes of active prep time.

Note: this post was originally published in 2021 and updated in 2023 with clearer instructions.

This easy cottage fries recipe will become a reliable potato side. They turn out delightfully crispy and browned on the outside and tender and soft inside. The flat, round shape also makes them perfect for dipping.

These potatoes are versatile and pair well with burgers, sandwiches, chicken, fish, or meatloaf. You can also use them as a base for loaded potato nachos or other creative dishes.

Best of all, they require only a handful of common ingredients and just 10 minutes of active prep.

What are cottage fries?

Cottage fries, sometimes called “cottage fried potatoes,” are potatoes sliced crosswise into rounds about ¼–½ inch thick, coated with oil and seasonings, and cooked at high heat—either pan-fried or oven-roasted—until crisp. They’re simpler to prepare than classic French fries and need only basic pantry staples.

Best potatoes for cottage fries

Russet potatoes are my top choice because they crisp up well and develop a fluffy interior. Yukon Gold also works nicely, and sweet potatoes are a tasty alternative if you want a sweeter, colorful variation.

Recipe ingredients

Ingredient notes

• Oil: Olive oil works well, but you can use canola, vegetable, or peanut oil—whichever you prefer for roasting.
• Paprika: Adds color and a mild flavor; use smoked paprika for a deeper smoky note.
• Dried thyme: Substitute 2 teaspoons fresh thyme or another dried herb such as rosemary, oregano, or parsley if you prefer.
• Russet potatoes: Ideal for oven roasting, though other varieties will also work.

Step-by-step photos

Here’s a clear sequence to make cottage fries.

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Mix the paprika, salt, thyme, and pepper, then set the seasoning aside.

2. Scrub and dry the potatoes. Slice them horizontally into about ⅓ inch (8.5 mm) rounds, trying to keep slices even so they cook uniformly.

3. Pat both sides of the slices with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel to remove excess moisture; this promotes crisping.

4. Place the slices on a baking sheet in a pile, drizzle with oil, and toss with your hands or tongs so each slice is coated.

5. Spread the slices in a single layer on the sheet so they don’t touch.

6. Sprinkle half the seasoning over the potatoes, flip the slices, and sprinkle the remaining seasoning on the other side. You can also toss them with the seasoning before arranging them on the pan if you prefer.

7. Bake for 15 minutes, remove the sheet, and flip each slice.

8. Return to the oven and bake another 13–15 minutes, or until the fries are well browned and cooked through.

Tips and tricks

How to get crispy cottage fries

I tested three approaches: (1) slice and toss with oil, (2) pat slices dry then oil, and (3) rinse slices then pat dry. Method 2—patting dry without rinsing—gave the best balance of crisp exterior and tender interior. Rinsing produced very crispy skin but a firmer bite that felt slightly tough for thin slices. If you’re short on time, skipping the drying step still yields tasty results.

Other tips

• I used Morton kosher salt; for table salt use ½ teaspoon, or adjust salt to taste.
• If one side browns faster at the halfway mark, rotate the baking sheet front to back before finishing the second half of the bake.
• Cook times assume ⅓ inch slices; thinner or thicker slices will require less or more time respectively. Oven temperatures vary, so watch the fries in the final minutes.

Seasoning ideas

Feel free to customize the spices. Try adding or substituting dried rosemary, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, or red pepper flakes. You can also use spice blends like Cajun seasoning, lemon pepper, or Old Bay—just check whether the blend contains salt and adjust accordingly. Including paprika or a reddish spice blend helps give the potatoes an appealing color.

Serving suggestions

Cottage fries go well with almost any main. Serve them with sandwiches, wraps, grilled chicken, fish, or burgers. They also pair nicely with a variety of dipping sauces.

Dipping sauce suggestions

Beyond classic ketchup, try avocado-lime ranch, yogurt-dill sauce, fry sauce, or honey-sriracha for flavorful options that complement the fries’ crispy texture and tender center.

Storage and reheating instructions

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.
• Freeze cooked fries for up to 3 months.
• To reheat refrigerated fries, place on a baking sheet and heat in a 350°F oven for 5–6 minutes, or until warmed through.
• To reheat from frozen, bake on a sheet pan at 350°F for 7–8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until heated through.

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