French fries with low calories

Delicious low-calorie French fries recipe: a healthy and tasty option

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Baking time: 30-35 minutes
Total: 50 minutes
Servings: 2

Who doesn't love potatoes? This versatile food has been part of many cultures' diets over time, evolving from a simple staple ingredient to a delicacy in various forms. Today, we present a healthy version of the famous French fries: oven-baked potatoes with a little oil. This recipe is perfect for those who want to enjoy the delicious taste of fried potatoes without feeling guilty. With a low calorie content and a crispy texture, these oven-baked fries will surely become a favorite choice at your meals.

Ingredients:

- 2 large potatoes (preferably Russet or Yukon Gold for better texture)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (or another quality vegetable oil)
- Spices to taste (salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, herbs de Provence, or anything else you like)

Necessary utensils:

- An oven
- A baking tray
- A spatula or spoon for mixing
- A bowl for mixing the potatoes

Steps for preparing the French fries:

1. Preparing the potatoes:
Start by washing the potatoes well under cold running water to remove dirt. Do not peel them, as the skin contains valuable nutrients and adds extra texture. Cut each potato into thin slices, about 0.5 cm thick. You can choose to cut them into sticks to achieve the classic French fry appearance.

2. Mixing with oil:
In a large bowl, add the two tablespoons of olive oil. Place the cut potatoes over the oil and mix well, ensuring each piece is evenly coated. This step is essential for achieving even baking and a crispy texture.

3. Seasoning:
Sprinkle your favorite spices over the potatoes. You can experiment with different combinations, but a suggestion would be: salt, pepper, and smoked paprika for an extra flavor boost. Mix again to ensure all spices are evenly distributed.

4. Baking:
Preheat the oven to 200°C. Place the potatoes on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, ensuring they do not overlap. This allows warm air to circulate and helps achieve a crispy texture. Bake the potatoes for 30-35 minutes, turning them halfway through to ensure they brown evenly.

5. Serving:
Once the potatoes are golden and crispy, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. You can serve them plain or accompany them with yogurt sauce, ketchup, or light mayonnaise.

Practical tips:

- Choosing the potatoes: Choose quality potatoes, free from blemishes or green spots. Russet potatoes are very suitable for making fries due to their high starch content, which makes them crispy.
- Even cutting: Ensure the potato slices are cut evenly so they bake at the same time. A potato cutting tool can be helpful.
- The oil: Do not overdo the amount of oil; 2 tablespoons are enough to achieve a crispy texture without adding many calories.

Nutritional benefits:

These oven-baked fries are a much healthier alternative compared to fried ones, with a significantly reduced calorie content. On average, a 100g serving of oven-baked fries contains about 130 calories, depending on the oil used and the spices. Potatoes are an excellent source of complex carbohydrates, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and potassium, essential for a balanced diet.

Possible variations:

- Cheese fries: At the end of baking, you can add grated cheese on top of the fries and bake for a few more minutes to melt.
- Herb seasoning: Add fresh or dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, or oregano for a more intense flavor.
- Sweet potatoes: You can replace regular potatoes with sweet potatoes for an even healthier option rich in antioxidants.

Suitable drinks:

This dish is perfect to be served alongside a light beer, a dry white wine, or even a natural fruit juice. If you prefer non-alcoholic drinks, a cold lemon tea can perfectly complement the flavor of the potatoes.

Frequently asked questions:

- Can I use frozen potatoes? While possible, fresh potatoes will provide the best texture and flavor.
- Can I make this recipe without oil? Oven-baked potatoes can also be made without oil, but they won't have the same crispiness.

So, this simple and quick low-calorie fries recipe is perfect for a healthy and tasty meal. Enjoy every bite and experiment with different spices to find the perfect combination for your tastes!