Air Fryer Fries: Can You Make Them?

Air fryers are a great alternative to deep frying, as they require far less oil and are healthier. You can cook French fries from scratch in an air fryer, or you can cook frozen fries. To make French fries from scratch, cut potatoes into evenly sized pieces, soak them in water, dry them, and then toss them in a bowl with oil and seasonings. You can also make frozen fries in an air fryer without defrosting them first. Simply toss the frozen fries in a bowl with salt, pepper, and a light mist of cooking spray, and then place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket.

How to prepare potatoes for air frying

Air fryers are a great way to cook potatoes, giving them a crispy exterior and a soft, fluffy interior. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to prepare potatoes for air frying:

Step 1: Choose the Right Potatoes

Select potatoes that are uniform in size and free from blemishes. Yukon Gold, Russet, Red, and Baby potatoes are all great options. Baby potatoes, also known as new potatoes, have thinner skins, which is ideal for crisping.

Step 2: Cut the Potatoes

Cut the potatoes into evenly sized pieces, preferably about 1/4-inch thick. This will ensure they cook evenly. If using baby potatoes, cut them in half. For larger potatoes, cut them into 1-inch pieces.

Step 3: Rinse and Dry the Potatoes

After cutting the potatoes, give them a quick rinse in cold water to remove excess starch. For extra crispy potatoes, consider soaking the cut potatoes in cold water overnight in the fridge. Then, drain and pat the potatoes dry with a paper towel or clean kitchen towel. This step is crucial to remove moisture and ensure crispy exteriors.

Step 4: Season the Potatoes

In a large bowl, toss the potatoes with extra-virgin olive oil and your desired seasonings. You can use a variety of seasonings like garlic powder, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Make sure all surfaces of the potatoes are evenly coated.

Step 5: Preheat the Air Fryer (Optional)

Preheating your air fryer is not necessary, but if you have time, it can help achieve crispier results. Preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F for about 5 minutes.

Step 6: Arrange the Potatoes in the Air Fryer

Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap. Work in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding. Overcrowding will result in soggy potatoes instead of crispy ones.

Step 7: Air Fry the Potatoes

Cook the potatoes at 380-400°F for 10-15 minutes, depending on their size and your desired level of crispiness. For starchy potatoes, consider soaking them in cold water before cooking to remove excess starch. Flip or shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.

Step 8: Reheat and Serve

If you're cooking in batches, add all the cooked potatoes back into the air fryer for 1-2 minutes to reheat and crisp up. Serve your air-fried potatoes with your favorite dips and enjoy!

The benefits of air frying over deep frying

Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years, with many people turning to them as a healthier alternative to deep frying. Air fryers work by circulating hot air around food, creating the same crispiness as traditional fried foods without the need for large amounts of oil. Here are some of the benefits of air frying over deep frying:

Less Oil, Less Calories

One of the main benefits of air frying is that it requires significantly less oil than deep frying. Deep fryers need multiple cups of oil to cook food, while air fryers can achieve similar results with just a tablespoon. This reduction in oil leads to a lower fat content in air-fried foods, which can be beneficial for maintaining a healthy weight and reducing the risk of weight gain and obesity.

Reduced Health Risks

Deep frying involves heating a large container of scalding oil, which can pose safety risks such as spilling or accidentally touching the hot oil. Air fryers, on the other hand, do not have these same risks. Additionally, deep frying foods at high temperatures can lead to the formation of dangerous compounds such as acrylamide, which has been linked to an increased risk of certain cancers. Air frying, by virtue of using less oil, reduces the risk of these harmful compounds forming in your food.

Quick and Convenient

Air fryers are also a more convenient option for cooking small batches of food. There is no need to heat up a large oven, and the cleanup process is generally quicker and easier than with deep frying. Air fryers are perfect for cooking small portions of food, from roasted vegetables to chicken, and can deliver similar taste and texture to deep-fried foods.

Even Cooking

Air fryers circulate hot air around the food, allowing for even cooking and browning. This results in crispy and tender fries, chicken, or other foods without the mess and splatter of traditional frying methods.

Versatility

While air fryers are excellent for cooking frozen foods like french fries, chicken nuggets, and tater tots, they can also be used for a variety of other dishes. You can cook roasted vegetables, chicken wings, shishito peppers, and even baked goods like cookies and doughnuts.

In summary, air frying offers a convenient, quick, and healthier alternative to deep frying. It reduces the amount of oil used, which leads to lower fat and calorie content in foods, and also minimizes the formation of potentially harmful compounds. Air fryers are a versatile addition to your kitchen, allowing you to cook a variety of dishes with ease and convenience.

How to season fries

Preparation

Before seasoning your fries, you must first prepare your potatoes. Start by peeling and rinsing your potatoes, then patting them dry. You can use a mandolin slicer or a sharp knife to cut the potatoes into strips about 1/4-inch wide. If you are leaving the skin on, be sure to scrub the potatoes to remove excess dirt.

Once your potatoes are cut, you can choose to soak them in cold water for 15-30 minutes to make them extra crunchy. After soaking, be sure to pat them dry again.

Seasoning

Now it's time to season your fries! Place your cut potatoes in a medium bowl and drizzle them with olive oil. You only need a light coating of oil—too much can make your fries soggy. Toss the fries to ensure they are evenly coated, then add your seasonings of choice. Here are some seasoning ideas:

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Cayenne pepper or chili powder
• Paprika
• Oregano
• Basil
• Thyme
• Rosemary
• Parsley
• Lemon zest
• Parmesan cheese

Cooking

Once your fries are seasoned, it's time to cook them! Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving a little space between each fry. You may need to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding. Set your air fryer to 380-400°F and cook for 12-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. For extra crispy fries, add another 1-2 minutes of cooking time.

Serving

Serve your fries immediately while they're still hot and crispy! They go great with a side of ketchup or other dipping sauces. Enjoy!

How to cook fries in an air fryer

Ingredients

• 2-3 large russet potatoes
• 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil
• Sea salt and pepper, to taste

Optional Ingredients

• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Herbs de Provence salt
• Cajun seasoning
• Butter
• Diced garlic
• Finely diced parsley
• Lemon zest
• Parmesan
• Paprika
• Chilli powder
• Oregano
• Feta

Method

• Prep: Using a mandoline, slice the potatoes into fries. Don't worry about making them all the same size—a mix of big and small fries is fine!
• Soak: Place the potatoes in a bowl of cold water for an hour. This will help remove excess starch and make the fries crisp up more in the air fryer.
• Preheat: Preheat the air fryer to 375-400°F (190-200°C).
• Season: After an hour, drain the water and pat the potatoes dry with a paper towel. Then, toss them with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
• Air fry: Place the fries in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are all on the same level (don't stack them on top of each other). Cook for 13-20 minutes, or until crispy and golden brown.
• Rest: Place the cooked fries on a baking sheet lined with paper towels and a cooling rack. Keep them in a warm oven (set to a maximum of 250°F/93°C) while you cook the remaining batches.
• Serve: Enjoy your crispy, crunchy, air-fried french fries!

Tips

• For extra crispy fries, brush them with butter, diced garlic, and finely diced parsley during the final 15 minutes of cooking.
• You can also soak the cut potatoes in cold water overnight in the fridge for extra crunchy fries.
• If you're short on time, you can skip the soaking step, but your potatoes may have a harder time crisping up.
• Always dry the potatoes thoroughly after soaking to remove any residual moisture. Wet fries will turn out soggy.
• Cook the fries in a single layer, allowing them space to cook faster and get crunchier.
• Adjust the cooking time as needed. Keep an eye on your fries and make adjustments to suit your preferences and your air fryer's performance.
• If you're making frozen fries, you don't need to defrost them first. Simply toss them with salt, pepper, and a light mist of cooking spray, then air fry at 400°F for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.

How to reheat fries in an air fryer

If you've cooked too many fries and want to reheat them, or you've got some leftover fries that you want to crisp up, you can use your air fryer!

First, place your leftover fries in the air fryer basket. It's fine if they're crowded in there now. Set the air fryer to 380°F and heat them for 1-2 minutes. This will get your fries hot and crispy again.

Tips for Reheating Fries in an Air Fryer

• If you're reheating a large batch of fries, you may need to work in batches to ensure they all get crispy.
• You can also use this method to reheat frozen fries. Simply toss them in a little oil and seasoning, spread them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, and cook at 400°F for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
• If you're reheating frozen fries, you don't need to defrost them first.
• For regular leftover fries, make sure they are thoroughly dried before placing them in the air fryer. This will ensure they get nice and crispy.
• You can also use the air fryer to reheat other fried foods, like chicken wings or chicken tenders.

Frequently asked questions