Looking for a sidekick to your favorite dish? These Baked Old Bay Fries with Quick Aioli will elevate any meal!
They’re crispy, deliciously seasoned, and baked to perfection. And that quick aioli? It’s finger-lickin’ good.
And though they have to soak for 30 minutes and take about another 30 minutes to bake, the actual hands-on time for the recipe is only about 10-15 minutes, making them do-able even on busy days.
As a mom with a hectic schedule and refined taste, I always try to bring the most flavor with the least amount of ingredients, so that cooking can remain a joy and not become a stressor. The Old Bay in this recipe amps it up with a simple sprinkling of seasoning!
Although Old Bay is typically used to season seafood (like in this 15-Minute Old Bay Seasoning), do not sleep on this magical dust for other things, too. Like these golden-brown fries!
Old Bay Fries Ingredients
Here’s everything you need:
- Potatoes. Russet or Idaho potatoes will make the best fries.
- Old Bay Seasoning. To season the fries and to season the aioli. None on hand? Check out this article on Every Old Bay Seasoning Substitute.
- Olive oil. The healthiest and best-flavored oil to crisp your potatoes up in.
- Mayonnaise. As the base of your quick aioli.
- Lemon juice. To add flavor to your dipping sauce.
Baked Old Bay Fries Tips and Tricks
It’s All About That Old Bay
The seasoning is the star here! We use it both to season the fries and to whip up a quick aioli. You can find Old Bay at most grocery stores either in the spice aisle or over by the seafood counter, or you can order it online.
You can also easily make your own Old Bay Seasoning!
Otherwise, you really only need a few other ingredients to make the baked French fries of your dreams become a reality.
Hand-Cutting Your Fries
First things first. Peel your potatoes and remove any bruised parts. You can choose to leave the skin on, but you’ll get a more even bake if you peel!
Next, you’ll cut your potato in half so that you can lay it flat. Then, cut into strips about 1/2 inch wide. You can leave them like this, or choose to cut the strips in half again for thinner fries. You may find that some need another cut and some don’t. Just use your best judgment!
Soak Your Potatoes
The key to getting crispy baked fries is soaking your potatoes to remove excess starch. Once you’re happy with the shape of your hand-cut fries, chuck them in a large mixing bowl and cover them with water.
Allow them to sit in the water for at least 30 minutes before rinsing.
Dry Those ‘Taters
Try to remove as much water as you can after rinsing the potatoes. I usually spread them out on a baking tray and then use a clean kitchen towel to remove excess water. You can also throw them into your oven for a couple of minutes before adding the oil and seasoning to dry up excess water.
Use Your Hands
Once you are confident that your fries are nice and dry, spread them out evenly across your baking sheet and pour on your olive oil and Old Bay Seasoning.
Use your hands to toss, making sure each fry is coated in the oil and seasoning. Then, spread them back out on your baking sheet, making sure they are not stacked on top of one another.
Toss Half Way Through
In order to get an even bake on the fries and to ensure all-around crispiness, make sure to toss your fries halfway through the baking process.
Use a spatula to flip and spread, making sure, once again, they aren’t layered on top of one another before putting them back in the oven.
The Easiest Aioli Hack
While aioli is not technically synonymous with seasoned mayonnaise, they are both emulsions. And for the easiest ever aioli hack, we are using mayonnaise as the base.
Making a quick aioli is as simple as 1,2,3. Use mayo as your base, add some lemon juice, and then add some Old Bay and voila!
Doubling The Recipe
If you want to double this recipe, you absolutely can! Just bear in mind that overcrowding the pan will not result in crispy baked fries. It’s best to use two baking sheets.
Remember that your oven is a little hotter on the top rack. If you can’t fit both baking pans on the top rack, just switch them when you take them out of the oven to toss, so that each one has an opportunity to be on the top rack.
How to Store and Reheat Fries with Old Bay Seasoning
These fries will last covered in the refrigerator for 3-5 days or in the freezer for 6 months. Reheat in your pre-heated oven at 425°F for 15-20 minutes until crispy. If frozen, they will need closer to 30 minutes.
Why You Should Make These Old Bay Fries
- They’re perfectly seasoned. That Old Bay seasoning is the ultimate for french fries!
- They’re crispy. And without deep-frying!
- They’re the perfect sidekick. What’s better than fries to complete your plate?
- The aioli is the best accompaniment. Never enough Old Bay.
Baked Old Bay Fries with Quick Aioli (Air Fryer Option)
SAVE RECIPE TO COLLECTION PIN PRINT RATEIngredients
Old Bay Fries
- 2 large russet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (or olive oil spray for air fryer option)
- 1 tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning
Quick Old Bay Aioli
- ¼ cup mayonnaise of choice (vegan mayo works!)
- ¼ teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
Instructions
Old Bay Fries
- Peel your potatoes and cut them in half longways. Lay them flat on a cutting board, cut-side down. Then, cut into strips about 1/2-inch wide. You can leave them like this, or choose to cut the strips in half again for thinner fries.2 large russet potatoes
- Place your hand-cut fries into a large mixing bowl and fill it with water, so that the fries are completely submerged. Allow them to soak for 30 minutes to remove excess starch.
Baking Option
- Preheat your oven to 425°F, and drain and rinse your fries. Use a clean kitchen towel to dry off fries as best as you can.
- Spread your fries out on a large baking sheet. Make sure the fries are lined up next to one another and not stacked on top of each other.
- Cover fries with olive oil and Old Bay Seasoning, and use your hands to toss, making sure that the fries are evenly coated.2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning
- Bake for 20 minutes, remove from the oven and toss with a spatula. Then, stick them back in the oven until they are crispy—about another 20 minutes.
Air Fryer Option
- Bring your fryer up to 380°F and drain and rinse your fries. Use a clean kitchen towel to dry off the fries as best as you can.
- Spray both sides of your fries with olive oil spray and coat with Old Bay Seasoning. Toss to ensure fries are equally covered in seasoning.2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning
- Add the fries to your basket, ensuring they are spread out and not stacked on top of each other. You may have to cook them in two batches for the best results.
- Cook for 14-16 minutes, tossing halfway through. You’ll know your Old Bay Fries are ready when they are crispy and golden brown.
Quick Old Bay Aioli Hack
- Add lemon juice and Old Bay Seasoning to mayonnaise and stir. That's it!¼ teaspoon lemon juice, ½ teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning, ¼ cup mayonnaise of choice
Pro Tips
- The key to crispy fries is removing excess starch—it’s best to soak them fries for at least 30 minutes.
- Make sure you dry your fries with a clean kitchen towel before adding oil and seasoning.
- Don’t forget to toss them halfway through for crispy fries on all four sides!
4 thoughts on “Baked Old Bay Fries with Quick Aioli (Air Fryer Option)”
Hi Marley – we want to try this out in the air fryer – I wonder what’s the closest UK equivalent to Old Bay seasoning please? Maybe you could ask your English hubby?
You can whip up a quick substitute by mixing together equal parts celery salt and paprika or simply use your favorite seafood seasoning! I hope you enjoy!
When I lived in NJ I was lucky to buy Old Bay Season Fries in the Acme store. I have moved to NC and not been able to find them in any store. Would it be possible to buy the finished product online and send to me in a cold storage box. I am 80 years old and it would be too much work for me to make them according to the recipe.
Hi Careen!
I love that wonderful memory- I ate so many Old Bay-flavored things growing up in Maryland! Unfortunately, I can’t ship them to you 🙁 BUT! if you want to simplify this recipe, I would highly recommend buying some Ore-Ida golden fries out of the freezer section in the supermarket. Spread them out on a baking sheet and sprinkle a generous amount of Old Bay Seasoning on top before sticking them in the oven at 425F for about 25 minutes.