Ingredients:

  • 3 medium Russet Potatoes (about 1.5 lb), scrubbed clean
  • 2 Tbsp Olive Oil (or Avocado Oil), divided
  • 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder
  • Sea Salt and Black Pepper, To taste
  • 4 oz Reduced-Fat Sharp Cheddar, shredded
  • 2 oz Reduced-Fat Monterey Jack, shredded
  • 4 slices Turkey Bacon, cooked until very crispy and crumbled
  • 2 Tbsp Fresh Chives, finely chopped
  • 1 Tbsp Pickled Jalapeño Slices (Optional)
  • 1/2 cup Plain Greek Yogurt (0% or 2%)
  • 2 Tbsp Low-fat Buttermilk
  • 1 Tbsp Fresh Dill, finely chopped
  • 1 Tbsp Fresh Parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp Freshly squeezed Lemon Juice
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder (for ranch)
  • 1/4 tsp Onion Powder (for ranch)
  • Salt and Pepper (for ranch), To taste

Instructions:

  1. Cut the potatoes lengthwise into thick-cut 'steak fry' sticks (about 1/2 inch / 1.25 cm thick).
  2. Soak the cut potatoes in a large bowl of cold water for at least 30 minutes to leach out excess starch. This prevents sticking and promotes crispness.
  3. Drain the potatoes completely. Lay them out onto a clean tea towel or kitchen paper and pat them absolutely bone dry. Any remaining moisture prevents browning.
  4. Return the dry potatoes to a clean bowl. Drizzle with 1 Tbsp of olive oil, the smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss until evenly coated.
  5. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Drizzle the remaining 1 Tbsp of oil onto the paper and spread slightly.
  6. Arrange the potatoes in a single layer on the prepared sheet. Ensure they are not touching for maximum crispiness. Bake for 20 minutes.
  7. Flip the fries, ensuring they are still in a single layer. Continue baking for another 15–20 minutes, or until deeply golden brown and crispy.
  8. While the fries bake, prepare the toppings: cook the turkey bacon until very crisp and crumble it finely. Mix the shredded sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses together. Chop the chives.
  9. Make the Skinny Ranch: In a small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, low-fat buttermilk, chopped dill, parsley, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  10. Remove the crispy fries from the oven. Evenly sprinkle the mixed shredded cheese blend over the top.
  11. Return the baking sheet to the oven for 3–5 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and fully melted. Optionally, switch to the broiler (grill) for 60 seconds for slight browning (watch constantly!).
  12. Remove from the oven. Scatter the crispy turkey bacon, chopped chives, and jalapeños (if using) over the melted cheese. Serve immediately with the chilled Skinny Garlic Ranch on the side.