Truffle Fries - Baked or Fried

These deliciously crispy parmesan truffle fries are tossed in truffle oil and loaded with fresh grated Parmesan cheese, fresh cracked pepper, and sea salt, making this the perfect upgrade to everyone's favorite salty side dish. Best of all, this recipe can easily be used when going all-out making homemade deep-fried French fries, or simply baking fries in the oven.

If you have never tried truffle oil, this is the perfect recipe to start with. The robust flavor from a little drizzle of real truffle oil is the perfect way to enhance crispy French fries, and a sure way to turn you into a truffle lover.

What are truffle fries?

Truffle fries are traditional French fries that get tossed in truffle oil after frying. Often, these are liberally dusted with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh ground black pepper as well. Although most any restaurant serving truffle fries will no doubt deep fry them, there is no reason the home cook can't bake them instead for simplicity.

Truffle oil is infused with the most incredible earthy flavor that adds a refined touch to any dish. Truffle oil is made by soaking real truffles in olive oil and then using the infused oil as a finishing oil. You don't want to cook with truffle oil or you will destroy the subtle flavors with heat. The great thing about it is a little truffle oil goes a long way, so you can expect to use a single bottle to bring many of your favorite dishes to the next level.

Ingredients Needed

Large Russet Potatoes - Russet potatoes is the best type of potato to use whether you bake or fry the French fries. Alternatively, frozen French fries can also be used.

Frying oil - Peanut oil is my recommendation, but canola oil is a good substitution.

Truffle oil - Truffle oil can be hard to find in stores, so I recommend ordering it online. Using either white truffle oil or black truffle oil is both fine.

Parmesan cheese - I recommend grated Parmesan rather than shredded Parmesan cheese for this recipe because the smaller granules stay in place better on the fries.

Fresh ground black pepper - I highly recommend using fresh ground pepper rather than pre-ground pepper for this recipe.

Sea salt - Table salt can be substituted. I would avoid kosher salt because of its larger grain size.

Optional - Toss with fresh herbs such as parsley, sage, or thyme.

How to make French Fries

The first decision you need to make is whether you are baking or deep frying your French fries. Deep frying is the more traditional method, but it requires more effort as well. However, if you are looking for the cheater version, simply buy a bag of frozen fries and skip this part.

Deep frying French Fries

For the most in-depth write-up on homemade French fries, I recommend checking out my How to Make French Fries tutorial for a complete understanding of how to replicate restaurant qualities fries. I'm basing my deep fry instructions on that recipe but if you have the time I highly recommend reviewing the recipe linked above.

To begin, cut potatoes into ¼" strips. It is important they be cut uniformly so they cook consistently. As you cut them place the sliced potatoes in a large bowl of cold water to prevent oxidation.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil on the stovetop and add your French fries. Boil for 10 minutes to soften the fries and cook them through. Remove fries from water and place them on paper towels to dry. The water can be discarded.

Heat a couple of inches of oil in a tall-sided skillet or deep fryer to 360 degrees. Add the fries, working in batches as needed, and fry for 50 seconds.

Important: It is important the fries are patted dry prior to deep frying so the water doesn't react with the hot oil.

Remove the cooked fries from the oil and let cool. If making them in advance, they can even be frozen at this point (which will also yield fluffier French fries). Once cooled, place fries back in the 360 degree oil for 3 ½ minutes, or until they are turning noticeably brown. Remove your crispy fries from the oil and set on cooling racks or paper towels.

Baking French Fries

If you would rather use baked French fries, begin the same way by slicing the potatoes into quarter inch slices. Then rather than deep frying them, we will preheat the oven to 450 degrees and toss them in two tablespoons of peanut oil to "fry" them in the oven. Bake the french fries for 30 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.

When baking fries, I recommend placing them on greased parchment paper for easy cleanup. Using aluminum foil will work as well.

How to make truffle fries

Now that you have deliciously golden French fries sitting on your kitchen counter, we are ready to transform them into mouthwatering Parmesan truffle fries.

First place all of your cooked French fries in a large bowl. Then drizzle truffle oil into the bowl and toss with the fries to coat. Add salt and pepper and toss further. Finally, add the grated Parmesan and give it one final toss.

Note: You can toss everything together at once if preferred, but I think I get more even coverage doing it in steps.

What to serve with truffle fries

• Ketchup
• Garlic aioli
• Balsamic mayo
• Nothing at all - Yes, these homemade truffle fries are so good that a condiment isn't really needed!