Extra Crispy Baked French Fries

I meeeean....we all love french fries, right?? But generally frying them is a messy and unhealthy thing we don't wanna mess with at home. That's why baked fries are so awesome--but I feel like they're never quite crispy and flavorful enough...

until now!

The two things that really help crisp these fries up is soaking them in water (this helps get some of the starch out, which gets a crispier result) and making sure to dry them after that. As far as flavor goes that's on you: salt the heck out of 'em. Put some truffle oil and parmesan cheese on them (that's what I diiiid!). Do garlic or a spice blend. Whatever makes your french fry loving heart happy.

Have I told you all my french fry shame? The kind of gross way I used to eat (specifically McDonald's) french fries as a kid? I used to....*deep breath* suck off the salt and then dip them in ketchup. They were soggy and gross and I don't know what was wrong with me....I'm so sorry. Please forgive me. I was a weird kid with weird food habits.

I'm a changed lady, now, and am in fact a bit of a french fry snob. These were definitely the best fries I've ever baked at home and they will be getting made again (so that Michael can actually try them because I maaaay have eaten them all before he got home. Oops!)

Extra Crispy Baked French Fries

Adapted from Layers of Happiness

Makes approx. 4 servings.

Ingredients:

• 3 medium sized russet potatoes (russet are the best choice for crispy fries)
• 1-2 tbsp. olive oil (I used truffle oil)
• Salt and/or other seasonings, to taste
• Optional-2 tbsp. grated Parmesan

Preparation:

• Wash and peel the potatoes. Cut off the ends. Using a sharp knife, cut the potatoes into thin (1/4 inch wide) slices.
• Put fries in a bowl and cover with cold water and let soak for at least 30 minutes, or up to 12 hours. If letting soak for longer than 1 hour, keep in the refrigerator. 
• After they're done soaking, drain the fries and place on a paper towel lined cooling rack to dry while the oven preheats. Blot the tops of the fries with more towels to get any excess moisture.
• Preheat oven to 400F degrees and line a baking pan with parment paper or foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
• Dry the bowl you used for soaking the potatoes and add the dried fries. Add 1-2 tbsp. oil and the salt/any seasonings you'd like, tossing to combine and mix.
• Evenly line the fries on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer-don't let the fries overlap or they won't cook properly. 
• Bake for 15 minutes. Flip the fries/mix them around (still making sure they're in a single layer). Bake for another 15 minutes. Increase heat to 425F degrees and bake until they look crispy and browned around the edges. 
• Sprinkle fries with salt/any other seasonings you'd like. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve immediately!

Dipping fries into a cute little ramekin of ketchup makes them taste better. I don't know why...but it does.