Air Fryer French Fries: Can You Use Raw Potatoes?

French fries are a beloved snack for many, but the traditional method of deep-frying them in oil can be messy, time-consuming, and unhealthy. Fortunately, air fryers offer a convenient, quick, and healthier alternative for cooking French fries. With just a few simple ingredients and an air fryer, you can make delicious, crispy, and crunchy French fries at home. In this article, we will explore the step-by-step process of making French fries in an air fryer, from cutting and seasoning the potatoes to achieving the perfect crispiness. We will also discuss the benefits of using an air fryer over traditional deep frying and provide tips for customizing your fries to perfection. So, can you cook raw French fries in an air fryer? Absolutely!

Can I cook raw French fries in an air fryer?

Potato type and preparation

The type of potato you use for your air fryer French fries is important. Russet potatoes are the most popular choice for French fries in an air fryer due to their rich, buttery taste and high starch content, which helps them puff up and crisp. They also have a classic, rich potato flavour. Other options include Yukon Gold potatoes, which will give you a creamier centre, or Idaho potatoes, which are known for their crispness. Avoid waxy potatoes such as red potatoes or fingerling potatoes, as they will be too tough for making French fries.

When it comes to preparation, start by washing the potatoes, especially if you plan to keep the skin on, which is recommended for added flavour, texture, fibre, and nutrients. It also saves time. Cut the potatoes into fries, aiming for them to be a similar size, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick, so they cook at the same rate. Rinsing the cut potatoes in cold water will remove some of the starch, helping them to get crispier, and then be sure to dry them thoroughly.

Next, it's time to season. Drizzle the potatoes with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and any other desired seasonings, and toss to coat. You can also use vegetable oil, canola oil, or any neutral-tasting oil with a high smoke point. Onion powder or garlic powder can be added over oiled fries for extra flavour.

Now you're ready to cook your first batch of fries! Spread the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching and leaving a little space between each one so they don't steam and get crispy. The exact cooking time will depend on your air fryer, but generally, they will take around 10-15 minutes at 380°F in a basket-style air fryer or 360°F in a toaster oven-style air fryer. Be sure to check on them regularly and adjust the timing as needed.

Once the first batch is done, you can toss them all together in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes to warm and crisp up any earlier batches. Then, serve them hot and enjoy the crispy, crunchy goodness of your air fryer French fries!

Oil and seasoning

When it comes to oil and seasoning, the options are endless. You can use any oil with a high smoke point, such as olive oil, vegetable oil, canola oil, or any other neutral-tasting oil. The amount of oil you use is up to you, but a light drizzle or about two tablespoons should be enough to coat your fries.

For seasoning, you can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or get creative with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, rosemary, thyme, parsley, steak seasoning, all-purpose seasoning, taco seasoning, Old Bay, or even garam masala. You can also try brushing your fries with butter, diced garlic, and parsley for a garlic butter fry. If you like your fries spicy, sprinkle on some Cajun seasoning.

It's important to note that you should season your fries just before air frying them. Adding salt too early will draw out moisture, making your fries less crispy.

Air fryer type and temperature

Air fryers are a fast, convenient, and healthy way to cook homemade French fries. They are also versatile, with both basket-style and toaster-style air fryers working well to make crispy and crunchy fries. However, it is important to note that toaster oven-style air fryers run hotter than basket-style, so it is recommended to reduce the temperature by 20-25°F when using a toaster-style air fryer.

When cooking French fries in an air fryer, it is generally recommended to cook them in a single layer at a temperature between 380-425°F for 13-20 minutes, or until they are crispy and golden brown. The exact temperature and cooking time may vary depending on the type of air fryer and the thickness of the fries. For example, thinner fries may only take about 13 minutes to cook, while thicker fries may take up to 20 minutes.

It is also important to note that air fryers circulate hot air to cook the food, so it is essential not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. This means that you may need to cook the fries in multiple batches to ensure they cook evenly and get crispy. Additionally, it is recommended to toss or shake the fries halfway through the cooking process to ensure they get evenly cooked.

Some recipes suggest cooking the fries in a double layer for 15 minutes, tossing them, and then cooking for an additional 10 minutes until golden brown. However, it is important to ensure that the fries are not overcrowded in the air fryer, as this will affect their crispiness.

Cooking time and technique

To cook raw French fries in an air fryer, start by cutting your potatoes into evenly sized pieces. The size of the cut will determine the cooking time and the texture of the fries. For example, thicker cuts of around 1/2-inch will give a creamier centre, whereas thinner cuts of around 1/4-inch will be crispier but may lose some of the potatoey centre. It is also important to cut the potatoes evenly so that they cook at the same rate.

After cutting the potatoes, rinse them in cold water to remove excess starch. For extra crunchy fries, you can soak the potatoes in cold water for up to 15 minutes, or even overnight in the fridge. Drain and dry the potatoes thoroughly before putting them in the air fryer.

Next, toss the potatoes in a mixing bowl with a light coating of oil and your chosen seasonings. You can experiment with different seasonings, such as salt, pepper, paprika, chilli powder, cumin, garlic powder, rosemary, or Italian seasoning.

When you are ready to cook the fries, spread them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each one. This will allow the hot air to circulate and cook the fries evenly. If the basket is overcrowded, the fries will turn out soggy. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the fries in batches.

The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your fries and the model of your air fryer. For 1/4-inch thick fries, cook for around 10-13 minutes at 380°F. For thicker 1/2-inch fries, cook for around 15-20 minutes at the same temperature. Halfway through the cooking time, remove the basket and toss the fries to ensure they cook evenly. The fries are ready when they are crispy and golden brown.

If you are cooking multiple batches of fries, you can keep the first batch warm by placing them on a baking sheet in a warm oven (set to a maximum of 250°F) while the other batches are cooking. When all the batches are cooked, you can toss them all together in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes to crisp them up and ensure they are all at the same temperature.

Serving suggestions

Air-fried French fries can be served as a snack, appetiser, or side dish. They can be enjoyed on their own, seasoned with salt and pepper, or dressed with fresh herbs like parsley, rosemary, or thyme. For added flavour, you can also season them with chilli powder, garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika.

These crispy fries go well with a variety of dipping sauces. Common choices include ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, aioli, BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, or cheese sauce. You can also get creative with homemade sauces or try out-of-the-box options like chipotle sauce, chimichurri, or vegan cheese.

For a heartier meal, serve your air-fried French fries with a juicy burger, a classic BLT sandwich, steak, chicken, or even Copycat Chick-fil-A Nuggets for a healthier twist on fast food.

The serving suggestions for air-fried French fries are endless, so feel free to experiment and find your favourite combinations!

Frequently asked questions