There's something irresistible about perfectly crispy fries that shatter between your teeth, especially when they're elevated with savory Parmesan cheese and aromatic herbs. These Crispy Parmesan Herb Fries transform the humble potato into a gourmet side dish that pairs beautifully with burgers, steaks, or stands gloriously on its own as an appetizer with dipping sauces.

Ingredients

For the Fries:

• 2 pounds russet potatoes (about 4-5 medium potatoes)

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon onion powder

• 1 teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For Serving (Optional):

• Truffle aioli

• Garlic aioli

• Spicy ketchup

• Fresh herbs for garnish

Instructions

Prepare the Potatoes

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and place a large baking sheet in the oven to heat up.

2. Wash and scrub the potatoes thoroughly, then pat dry with paper towels.

3. Cut potatoes into even ¼-inch thick sticks. Uniformity is key for even cooking.

4. Place the cut potatoes in a large bowl of cold water and let soak for 30 minutes to remove excess starch.

5. Drain the potatoes and pat completely dry with paper towels.

Season the Fries

1. In a large bowl, toss the dried potato sticks with olive oil until evenly coated.

2. Sprinkle cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper over the potatoes and toss again to coat evenly.

Bake the Fries

1. Carefully remove the hot baking sheet from the oven.

2. Arrange the seasoned potato sticks in a single layer on the baking sheet, making sure they don't overlap.

3. Bake for 15 minutes, then flip the fries and bake for another 10-15 minutes until golden and crispy.

Tips for Perfect Crispy Fries

• Soaking the potatoes removes excess starch, which helps achieve maximum crispiness.

• Make sure to dry the potatoes thoroughly after soaking to prevent steaming.

• The cornstarch coating creates an extra crispy exterior.

• Preheating the baking sheet gives the fries a head start on crisping.

• Space the fries evenly on the baking sheet – overcrowding leads to steaming instead of crisping.

• Fresh herbs make a significant difference in flavor, but if you must use dried herbs, reduce the amount by half.

• Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor experience.

These Crispy Parmesan Herb Fries elevate a simple side into a memorable dish worthy of any table. The combination of crunchy exterior, fluffy interior, nutty Parmesan, and aromatic herbs creates an irresistible flavor profile that will have everyone reaching for seconds!