Frying French Fries: Oil-Less Fryer Magic

French fries are a popular side dish, but the traditional method of frying them in oil can be unhealthy. However, it is possible to make crispy, tasty french fries without using any oil at all by baking or air frying them. This can be done with a variety of potatoes, including russet, Yukon Gold, and sweet potatoes, and the cooking time is usually around 30 minutes. Some recipes also include a variety of seasonings, such as garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper. So, if you're looking for a healthier alternative to traditional french fries, oil-free fries made in an air fryer or oven are a great option.

Soaking potatoes in cold water

It's also important to keep the potato water cold, as any added heat might activate the starch and create a sticky texture that can lead to uneven cooking. If the potatoes are going to be soaked for a while, it's recommended to use the refrigerator to maintain a low temperature. If the outer coating of the potatoes becomes starchy, swirling them in cold water can help loosen it. After rinsing the potatoes with fresh water, they should be patted dry. For an extended soak, it's beneficial to swap out the water after a few hours, as it becomes cloudy and starchy, making it harder for the extra starch to seep out.

While the duration of soaking varies depending on the thickness of the fries, a minimum of 10 to 15 minutes is generally recommended for removing some of the starch. However, for the best results, it's ideal to soak thicker-cut fries for a few hours or even overnight. This extended soaking time ensures that more starch is drawn out, leading to crispier and more aesthetically pleasing french fries.

Par-boiling potatoes

Par-boiling is a great way to prepare potatoes for frying, baking, roasting, or sautéing. It is a simple process that involves partially boiling potatoes before moving on to the next step in your recipe. This method is particularly useful for dishes like french fries, where you want a crunchy exterior and a soft interior.

To par-boil potatoes, start by placing your potatoes in a pot and covering them with clean, cold water. You can leave the potatoes whole, or peel and dice them beforehand. If you choose to dice them, you won't need to boil them for as long. Adding a pinch of kosher salt to the water is optional.

Turn the stove on high heat and wait for the water to start boiling. Then, reduce the heat slightly so that the water doesn't boil over, and continue boiling for about 5-10 minutes. The potatoes are done when you can pierce them with a fork or the tip of a sharp knife with only slight resistance.

Remove the potatoes from the heat and drain the excess water. Let them cool before moving on to the next step in your recipe.

Using an air fryer

Air fryers are a fantastic kitchen appliance for making crispy French fries without the need for lots of oil. They work by circulating hot air around the food at high speed, resulting in a lower-calorie, lower-fat alternative to traditional frying methods.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making French Fries in an Air Fryer:

Step 1: Choose and Prepare Your Potatoes

First, select the right type of potatoes. Russets, Yukon Gold, and sweet potatoes are all great options. Avoid waxy varieties such as Red Bliss or New Potatoes. You can peel the potatoes if you prefer, but it's not necessary. Scrub the potatoes, and let them dry completely before cutting them into thin, even strips, about 1/4-inch thick. Thick wedges are tasty but won't get as crisp.

Step 2: Soak the Potatoes (Optional)

Some people like to soak the potato strips in cold or warm water for about 15 minutes to reduce the amount of starch and ensure a crispier fry. After soaking, be sure to pat the potatoes completely dry.

Step 3: Par-Cook the Potatoes (Optional)

You can also par-cook the potatoes before baking to ensure a creamier texture inside. To do this, place the sliced potatoes in the microwave for four minutes on high, or par-boil them for five minutes.

Step 4: Season the Potatoes

Once the potatoes are dry, it's time to season them. You can use various seasonings, such as garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, onion powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, or sea salt. However, it's best to add salt after cooking, as salt releases water, which can interfere with the crispiness of the fries. You can also toss the potatoes in cornstarch or arrowroot powder for an extra crispy coating.

Step 5: Arrange the Potatoes on the Air Fryer Basket

Place the seasoned potato strips into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are close together but not touching. You may need to work in batches to avoid overcrowding, which can cause the potatoes to steam and turn mushy instead of crispy.

Step 6: Set the Temperature and Time

Set the air fryer temperature to between 380-400°F. The cooking time will depend on the quantity and thickness of your potato strips, but it typically ranges from 18 to 20 minutes. For best results, rotate the potatoes halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.

Step 7: Shake and Turn the Potatoes

To get the potatoes crispy on all sides, stop the air fryer and shake or turn the potatoes halfway through the cooking process. You can use a spatula or spoon to stir them around.

Step 8: Check for Doneness and Adjust Timing if Needed

Taste a fry to ensure it's tender on the inside and crisp on the outside. If they're not crispy enough, continue cooking in small increments until they reach the desired texture.

Step 9: Toss All Batches Together at the End

If you're working in batches, toss all the fries back into the air fryer together at the end (no need to worry about spacing this time) and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to warm and re-crisp any that may have cooled.

Step 10: Serve and Enjoy!

Serve your air-fried French fries with your favorite dipping sauces and enjoy!

Tips for Success:

• Work in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket, which can lead to steaming instead of crisping.
• The exact cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer, so check your fries regularly and adjust the timing as needed.
• Taste a fry to ensure it's done to your liking, as air-fried French fries can look done before they actually are.
• For extra crispy fries, soak the potatoes in water before cooking to reduce their starch content.
• Sprinkle seasonings on the potatoes while they are still damp from being freshly cut to help the dry seasonings stick better.
• Stop and shake the air fryer basket halfway through cooking to redistribute the potatoes and ensure even crisping on all sides.

Seasoning potatoes

There are a few ways to season potatoes for French fries. The most popular method is to soak the potatoes in a sugar solution, a salt solution, or just cold water to reduce the starch content and prevent them from absorbing too much grease during frying.

Sugar Solution

Stir together warm water and sugar in a medium bowl. Soak the potatoes in this mixture for 15 minutes, then remove and dry them thoroughly on paper towels.

Salt Solution

If you'd like your fries to be salty, add salt to the raw potatoes so that it sticks well. You can also add salt after frying, but this may prevent the fries from getting crispy.

Cold Water

Soak the potatoes in cold water for 10 minutes before frying. This will help remove some of the starch and make the potatoes crispier.

Other Seasonings

For extra crispy fries, toss the potatoes in a few teaspoons of cornstarch or arrowroot powder before frying. You can also experiment with different seasoning blends such as garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, onion salt, or cayenne pepper.

Battering

For an extra crispy French fry experience, you can also try battering the potatoes before frying. To make a batter, sift flour and seasonings, then gradually stir in water until you have a slightly thick batter. Dip the potatoes in the batter before frying.

Baking potatoes

How to Bake Potatoes in an Air Fryer

First, select your potatoes. Russet potatoes are a popular choice for baking, but you can use any type of potato, including sweet potatoes, yellow potatoes, or gold potatoes. Just make sure they're all roughly the same size so they cook evenly.

Wash and scrub the potatoes, then pat them dry. Poke holes in the potatoes with a fork to allow steam to escape during cooking. You can then drizzle or spray the potatoes with olive oil or avocado oil and sprinkle with salt and other seasonings like garlic powder.

Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket and cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30-50 minutes, depending on the size of the potatoes. For larger potatoes, you may need to cook for up to an hour. The potatoes are done when they are tender and can be easily pierced with a fork.

Tips

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Give the potatoes enough space to ensure proper air circulation and even cooking.
• Different-sized potatoes will have different cook times. Keep an eye on them and adjust the time as needed.
• If you're using an oven instead of an air fryer, simply double the cook time and keep an eye on them to ensure they don't burn.

Frequently asked questions