Air-Fryer French Fries: Freshly Fried?

French fries are a beloved snack and side dish, but they can be messy and greasy to make at home. Air fryers offer a convenient alternative to deep-frying, but can they deliver the same crispy, golden results? The answer is yes! You can make delicious, fresh french fries in an air fryer with just a few basic ingredients and a fraction of the oil used in traditional frying.

How to cut potatoes for fries

Step 1:

First, you'll want to slice your potato in half lengthwise. For this, you'll need a sharp chef's knife, and it's best to use long potatoes.

Step 2:

Now, lay each half cut-side down and slice lengthwise again, this time into 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick slices.

Step 3:

Take about half of these slices and cut them lengthwise once more, this time into 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick fries. Repeat this step with the remaining slices.

Tips:

• If you're making a lot of fries, you might want to invest in a potato or French fry press, which will cut your potatoes into evenly sized fries.
• For crispy fries, you can soak the cut potatoes in water for a few hours or overnight, which will draw out the starch. However, make sure they are completely dry before frying.
• For even cooking, make sure all the fries are the same size.
• For extra crispiness, leave the potato skins on.

The benefits of leaving the potato skins on

Leaving the potato skins on when making air fryer French fries has several benefits. Firstly, it adds more flavour to the fries and gives them a great crispy texture. The potato skins also provide added fibre and nutrients, which makes for a healthier snack. Leaving the skins on also saves time during the preparation process, as there is no need to peel the potatoes.

Some recipes recommend soaking the potatoes in water before air frying, as this can help to remove excess starch and improve crispiness. However, others suggest that this step is not necessary and can be skipped without affecting the final result.

When it comes to seasoning, the options are endless. Sea salt and pepper are classic choices, but you can also experiment with onion powder, garlic powder, Cajun seasoning, or herbs like rosemary or thyme. For an extra indulgent treat, try brushing the fries with butter, diced garlic, and parsley during the final minutes of cooking.

How to make frozen French fries in the 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: This helps the salt stick to the fries.

Method:

• Place your frozen fries in the air fryer basket.
• Season: 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 an additional 5-10 minutes, depending on how crispy you like your fries.

Tips:

• Shake it up: Toss the fries gently halfway through cooking to ensure they all get crispy and cook evenly. You can shake them up more than once if you like.
• Don't overfill: For frozen fries, do not fill your air fryer more than halfway to three-quarters full. You do not need to put frozen fries in a single layer, but you should not overcrowd the basket, or you may end up with undercooked fries.
• Crispier: Depending on the thickness and type of fry, you might need to increase or decrease the cooking time. The longer you cook the fries, the crispier they will become.
• Different types of fries: There are several types of fries, and they will cook a bit differently. Here are some suggested cooking times:
• Crinkle-cut/waffle fries: 10-11 minutes
• Sweet potato fries: 16 minutes
• Lattice-cut fries: 10-11 minutes
• Shoestring fries: 8-10 minutes

The best type of potatoes to use for French fries

When making French fries, it is important to use the right type of potatoes to ensure they turn out crispy and delicious. The best potatoes for French fries are high-starch potatoes such as Idaho or russet potatoes. These potatoes are dense and have less moisture, which is key to avoiding soggy fries. Yukon gold potatoes are also a good option as they are an all-purpose potato that can be used for frying and will give your fries a creamier centre.

You should avoid waxy potatoes like red-skinned, new, or fingerling potatoes as their high moisture and sugar content makes them unsuitable for deep frying. The resulting fries will be limp and soggy and can darken too quickly.

When cutting your potatoes, aim for them to be a similar size (about 1/4-inch thick) so that they cook at the same rate. You can choose whether or not to peel your potatoes – leaving the skin on can help them crisp up and adds fibre and nutrients.

How to reheat French fries in the air fryer

How to Reheat French Fries in an Air Fryer

Reheating French fries in an air fryer is an excellent and easy way to restore their fresh-from-the-fryer crunch. Here are the steps to do it:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

First, preheat your air fryer to 350°F. This step is important as it ensures the fries cook in high heat for a shorter time, helping them get crispier without drying out.

Step 2: Arrange the French Fries

Place the French fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray. This arrangement allows for proper air circulation, ensuring that all the fries reheat evenly and become nice and crispy. If you have a lot of fries, you may need to cook them in batches to ensure they are not overlapping.

Step 3: Cook the French Fries

Now, it's time to cook the fries! Place them in the preheated air fryer and cook for about 2-3 minutes. If you prefer your fries extra crispy, you can cook them for a little longer. Just keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy!

Once the fries are hot and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and serve them with your favorite sauces. Ketchup, nacho cheese sauce, ranch, garlic aioli, and malt vinegar are all excellent options. You can also sprinkle some extra salt or French fry seasoning for added flavor. Enjoy your crispy, golden brown French fries!

Tips for the Best Results:

• Always preheat your air fryer to ensure the best results.
• Cook the fries in a single layer to allow for proper air circulation and even cooking.
• Adjust the cooking time depending on the thickness of your fries. Thicker fries may take a minute or two longer to heat up and get crispy.
• If your fries are not getting crispy after 3 minutes, try increasing the temperature to 380°F and cook them for a bit longer.

Frequently asked questions