Wash the russet potatoes and remove any bruises.

Cut the potato lengthwise into 1/4 to 1/2 inch thin slabs then cut the slabs into 1/4 inch thin matchsticks. Try your best to cut the potato into uniform slices to ensure the fries cook evenly.

Soak the potatoes. Put about 3 inches of water in a large pot and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, remove from the heat and place cut potatoes in the hot water to soak for 30 minutes. This is essential to remove some of the starch from the potatoes which will help them crisp while cooking.

Drain the water and lay potatoes out onto paper towels, patting them until thoroughly dry.

Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Drizzle oil over the potatoes and season with salt and pepper. Toss to combine. Spread out into an even layer on a baking sheet (I use one bakers half sheet pan per 1 cut potato), leaving space between them. Bake for 12 minutes.

Use a metal spatula to scrape potatoes loose from pan and flip to opposite side. Spread even spaced out again. Bake for an additional 8-15 minutes, or until potatoes are crisp.

Pour 3 inches of vegetable, canola, or peanut oil into a large, deep pot and heat to 300 degrees F. Cook the fries in small batches, adding them to the hot oil, until tender, about 4-5 minutes. Remove them to a paper-towel lined plate as they cook.

Increase the heat of the oil to 400 degrees F. Return small batches at a time to the oil and cook for 1-3 minutes, until golden and crisp. Remove from oil and season with salt, to taste.

Serve with dipping sauces like fry sauce, ranch, bbq sauce, chick-fil-a sauce, tartar sauce, or serve on top of a burger, with fish and chips or Lomo Saltado.