Garlicky Baked Truffle Fries

As if french fries weren’t already perfect, chefs found a way to make them even better: by adding truffles. Doubling down on umami with a drizzle of truffle oil and a sprinkle of nutty Parmesan, it’s no surprise that truffle fries are such a popular menu item. Now you don’t have to dine out to enjoy this decadent finger food. This recipe is easy to make at home and, no, you don’t need to deep-fry anything.

While it’s commonly believed that truffle oil is made from truffles, the truth is that many bottles are made from “natural flavors,” which are synthetic compounds that we associate with the taste of truffles. Real-deal truffles are much earthier in flavor, so for this dish we recommend selecting a bottle that contains truffles in the ingredient list. (A hybrid of truffles and natural flavors is great.) Extra-virgin olive oil is best for a more fruity olive flavor.

• Start with skin-on russet potatoes, then hand-cut the fries for rustic appeal and slightly varying levels of crispiness (which makes fries more fun to eat, in my opinion; I love the hunt for the crispiest ones). The perfect fry size is somewhere between 1/4-inch and 1/2-inch.
• Soak the potatoes in water to prevent them from browning and to remove a bit of extra starch. This step can be skipped, but is particularly helpful if you want to cut the fries in advance.
• For the crispiest, most golden fries, pat the potatoes dry after they soak; any extra water can cause them to steam.
• Spread the fries out onto two large sheet trays (even if it seems like you could pack them onto one); if they are crowded on one sheet, they will steam rather than crisp and brown.
• Roast them at a high temperature and rotate the trays between racks ensure that both trays cook evenly. (The location of your oven’s heat source can cause one section to run hotter than the other.)

Truffle oil brings out the flavor in other ingredients and tends to go well with just about any spice. If I were to add something to these fries, it would be paprika. 

Same as regular french fries: When they’re golden and crispy! The only way to tell if you’ve seasoned them properly is to taste and adjust. Start with a small drizzle of the truffle oil (it’s very potent!) then add a touch at a time if you feel like it’s necessary.