Peel your potatoes and cut them in half longways. Lay them flat on a cutting board, cut-side down. Then, cut into strips about 1/2-inch wide. You can leave them like this, or choose to cut the strips in half again for thinner fries.
2 large russet potatoes
Place your hand-cut fries into a large mixing bowl and fill it with water, so that the fries are completely submerged. Allow them to soak for 30 minutes to remove excess starch.
Baking Option
Preheat your oven to 425°F, and drain and rinse your fries. Use a clean kitchen towel to dry off fries as best as you can.
Spread your fries out on a large baking sheet. Make sure the fries are lined up next to one another and not stacked on top of each other.
Cover fries with olive oil and Old Bay Seasoning, and use your hands to toss, making sure that the fries are evenly coated.
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning
Bake for 20 minutes, remove from the oven and toss with a spatula. Then, stick them back in the oven until they are crispy—about another 20 minutes.
Air Fryer Option
Bring your fryer up to 380°F and drain and rinse your fries. Use a clean kitchen towel to dry off the fries as best as you can.
Spray both sides of your fries with olive oil spray and coat with Old Bay Seasoning. Toss to ensure fries are equally covered in seasoning.
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning
Add the fries to your basket, ensuring they are spread out and not stacked on top of each other. You may have to cook them in two batches for the best results.
Cook for 14-16 minutes, tossing halfway through. You’ll know your Old Bay Fries are ready when they are crispy and golden brown.
Quick Old Bay Aioli Hack
Add lemon juice and Old Bay Seasoning to mayonnaise and stir. That's it!
¼ teaspoon lemon juice, ½ teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning, ¼ cup mayonnaise of choice
Notes
The key to crispy fries is removing excess starch—it's best to soak them fries for at least 30 minutes.
Make sure you dry your fries with a clean kitchen towel before adding oil and seasoning.
Don't forget to toss them halfway through for crispy fries on all four sides!