Air Fryer French Fries: How Crispy Can You Get?

Air fryers are a great alternative to deep-frying French fries. They are healthier, quicker, and easier to make, without compromising on taste and texture. In fact, air-fried French fries are just as crispy and crunchy as regular fries but use far less oil. They are also convenient to make as they do not require any preheating.

How to cut potatoes for fries

To cut potatoes for fries, start by placing the potato on its side. Using a large chef's knife, cut a thin slice off the edge to create a flat base. Flip the potato so that the cut side is facing down, then cut thin slices, making them the width you'd like your French fries to be. Stack a few of the slices, then cut them in the other direction to create fries. Repeat this process with the remaining slices until you have a batch of evenly sized fries.

• Use long potatoes, such as Russet or Yukon Gold, as they are best for fries.
• Aim for a thickness of 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Thinner fries will be crispier, while thicker ones will be softer in the centre.
• You can peel the potatoes or leave the skins on. Leaving the skins on adds texture, flavour, and nutrients, and saves time.
• If you're making a lot of fries, consider investing in a potato press or French fry cutter to get evenly cut fries with less effort.

How to season fries

Seasoning your fries is a great way to add flavour and make them your own. Here are some tips on how to season your fries:

Preparing the Potatoes

First, cut your potatoes into fries. For even cooking, cut them into similar sizes, around 1/4-inch thick. You can peel your potatoes, but leaving the skin on can add flavour and texture, as well as saving time. Rinse the cut potatoes in cold water and then pat them dry with a paper towel.

Choosing Your Oil

A light coating of oil will help your seasonings stick to the potatoes, and help them to crisp up. Olive oil is a popular choice, but you can also use vegetable, canola, coconut or avocado oil. Drizzle or spray your oil over the potatoes, and toss to coat.

Seasoning Ideas

Salt is a classic seasoning for fries, but you can also add pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, Parmesan, chilli powder, cumin, ranch seasoning, Cajun seasoning, rosemary, thyme, basil, oregano, parsley, cayenne pepper, or smoked paprika. You can also add a pinch of sugar.

Mixing Your Seasonings

Place your cut and dried potatoes into a bowl and add your chosen oil and seasonings. Toss the potatoes until they are evenly coated.

Cooking Your Fries

Place the seasoned potatoes into the air fryer basket in a single layer, with a little space between each fry. Cook in batches if necessary. Air fry at around 380-400°F for 10-20 minutes, tossing halfway through. You may need to adjust the timing depending on your air fryer.

Serving Your Fries

Serve your fries warm with a small bowl of ketchup or another dipping sauce on the side.

Storing and Reheating

Store leftover fries in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze for longer storage. Reheat in a single layer in an air fryer or oven at 350-425°F for about 5 minutes, or until warmed through and crispy.

How to cook fries in an air fryer

Ingredients

To make fries in an air fryer, you will need the following ingredients:

• Potatoes (russet or Yukon gold)
• Oil (olive oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil)
• Salt
• Pepper
• Other seasonings of your choice (e.g. paprika, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, Parmesan cheese)

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 375-400°F (190-200°C).
• Cut the potatoes into even ¼-inch thick strips. Try to make sure all the strands are the same size for even cooking.
• Rinse the potato strips in cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel.
• Place the potato strips in a bowl and drizzle with oil. Toss to coat evenly.
• Add your desired seasonings and toss again.
• Spread the fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overcrowded.
• Cook the fries for 10-20 minutes, tossing halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy.
• Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce!

Tips:

• Soaking the potato strips in cold water for about an hour before cooking can help remove excess starch and make the fries crispier.
• If you are making a large batch, you may need to cook the fries in multiple batches to ensure even cooking.
• You can experiment with different types of potatoes and seasonings to find your perfect combination!

How to reheat fries in an air fryer

Yes, you can make french fries in an air fryer! Here is a recipe for how to do it:

Ingredients:

• 2 medium-sized russet potatoes
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
• 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of pepper

Instructions:

• Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Slice the potatoes into 1/4-inch strips.
• Rinse the potato slices in cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel.
• In a medium-sized bowl, toss the potatoes with olive oil, Italian seasoning, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
• Place the fries into the basket of the air fryer in a single layer, ensuring they are not overlapping. You may need to work in batches.
• Air fry for 15-20 minutes, tossing halfway through, or until the fries are golden brown and crispy.
• Serve with your choice of ketchup or fry sauce.

Now, onto reheating fries in an air fryer. Here is a detailed guide:

Ingredients:

Leftover french fries

Instructions:

• Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Arrange the french fries in a single layer in the basket or tray, ensuring they are not overlapping. Work in batches if necessary.
• Air fry for 2-4 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Keep a close eye on the fries to prevent burning.
• Serve with your favorite sauces and enjoy!

Tips for the Best Results:

• Preheat your air fryer for about 3 minutes before adding the fries. This helps the fries cook at a higher heat for a shorter time, ensuring they get crispy without drying out.
• Arrange the fries in a single layer to allow for proper air circulation.
• Thinner fries will cook faster, while thicker fries may need an extra minute or two.
• If your fries are not crisping up, increase the temperature to 380 degrees Fahrenheit.

Enjoy your crispy, golden french fries!

How to make frozen fries in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• Frozen French Fries: 16 oz bag. If you have a bigger bag, you'll need to cook them in batches.
• Salt to taste: Seasoned salt is recommended.
• Olive oil spray: To help the salt stick to the fries.

Method:

• Place your frozen fries in the air fryer basket.
• Spray with olive oil lightly and sprinkle with desired salt.
• Air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes.
• Shake the basket and cook for another 5-8 minutes, depending on how crispy you like your fries.

Tips:

• To ensure even cooking, toss the fries gently halfway through. You can also rotate them, moving the bottom ones to the top.
• Don't overfill the air fryer basket. For frozen fries, it should be filled only up to half or three-quarters. They don't need to be in a single layer, but they shouldn't be overcrowded.
• The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness and type of fry. The longer you cook them, the crispier they'll be.

Suggested Serving Sauces:

• Fry Sauce: A grown-up version of ketchup that's also great on hamburgers.
• Yum Yum Sauce: A light, sweet, and tangy choice.
• Cheese Sauce: A rich and thick cheesy sauce.
• Ranch Dressing: A classic choice that kids love.
• Make your own sauce: Mix your favourite spices with mayo and ketchup. Try adding chipotle chilli powder, garlic powder, and onion powder for a spicy western sauce.

Suggested Cooking Times for Different Types of Fries:

• Crinkle-cut/waffle fries: 10-11 minutes
• Sweet potato fries: 16 minutes
• Lattice-cut fries: 10-11 minutes
• Shoestring fries: 8-10 minutes

Frequently asked questions