Air-Fried French Fries: The Perfect Crispy Treat

Air fryers are a great way to make French fries quickly, easily, and healthily. They can be used to cook a variety of foods, from steak to chicken, and even pizza, and are a faster and healthier alternative to deep frying. Air fryers are small, countertop appliances that use convection to cook food. They can be used to make French fries that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a variety of seasonings to customize to your preferences.

Characteristics and Values Table for Air Fryer French Fries:

Potato type and preparation

For homemade French fries, russet potatoes (also known as Idaho potatoes) are recommended, but you can also use Yukon Gold potatoes for a creamier centre. If you're using frozen French fries, simply pick your favourite brand and type.

Before cooking, you should wash the potatoes, especially if you plan to keep the skins on. You can peel them if you prefer. Then, cut the potatoes into sticks, either 1/4-inch or 1/2-inch thick. Thicker fries will retain some of the creamy texture in the middle, while thinner fries will be crispier. Rinse the cut potatoes under cold water to remove some of the starch, which will help them get crispier, and then pat them dry with a paper towel.

If you have time, you can soak the potatoes in cold water for 30 minutes to 24 hours to help them achieve the desired crispiness and prevent them from sticking together. Be sure to pat them dry before cooking.

Once your potatoes are prepared, you can season them. Add the fries to a bowl and drizzle with oil, tossing to coat the slices. You can use olive oil, vegetable oil, avocado oil, canola oil, or any other neutral-tasting oil with a high smoke point. You can also add salt and pepper or other spices, such as onion powder, garlic powder, or rosemary.

Oil type and amount

The amount of oil you use will depend on the number of people you are cooking for and their individual preferences. For example, if you are cooking for four people and want to keep the amount of oil ingested per person to a minimum, you might use a full tablespoon of oil for two large russet potatoes. This will result in slightly drier fries.

You can use a variety of oils to cook French fries in an air fryer, including olive oil, vegetable oil, avocado oil, canola oil, coconut oil, or any other neutral-tasting oil with a high smoke point. You can also use duck fat.

If you are cooking frozen fries, you may not need to add any oil at all, as they are often already soaked in oil. However, some recipes suggest lightly spraying frozen fries with olive oil spray before cooking.

The amount of oil you use may also depend on the type of air fryer you have. For example, if your air fryer has a rotating basket, you may find that you need less oil to achieve even browning.

Spices and seasoning

The spices and seasonings you use on your French fries are entirely dependent on your taste preferences. You can use salt, pepper, rosemary, onion powder, garlic powder, lemon pepper, garam masala, or any other spice or herb of your choice. You can also use a combination of spices, such as Trader Joe's "Everything but the Leftovers" seasoning.

If you are using salt, it is best to season the potatoes just before air frying them, as adding salt too early will draw moisture out of the potatoes and they will not be as crispy when air-fried. You can also add salt to your potatoes after they are done cooking.

If you are using frozen French fries, you can sprinkle them with salt and spray them lightly with olive oil spray before placing them in the air fryer.

Air fryer type and settings

Air fryers are small countertop appliances that work similarly to a convection oven, cooking food in a smaller, more concentrated space. They are an excellent way to cook French fries, as they are faster, healthier, and easier to clean than deep frying.

There are two main types of air fryers: basket-style and toaster oven-style. Both styles can be used to make French fries, but the basket-style is generally preferred as it is easier to shake to toss the fries. Toaster oven-style air fryers also tend to run hotter than basket-style air fryers, so it is important to reduce the temperature by 20-25°F when using this type of air fryer.

When cooking French fries in an air fryer, it is important to ensure that they are not overcrowded. This will allow them to cook faster and get crunchier. It is generally recommended to cook the fries in a single layer, leaving some space between each one. This may require working in batches. For frozen fries, it is recommended to fill the air fryer no more than half to 3/4 full to avoid over-crowding.

The cooking time and temperature may vary depending on the type of air fryer and the thickness of the fries. For basket-style air fryers, a temperature of 380°F is recommended, while for toaster oven-style air fryers, a temperature of 360°F is suggested. The cooking time can range from 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the desired level of crispiness. It is important to check the fries regularly to avoid overcooking.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for French fries in an air fryer can vary depending on the thickness of the fries, the type of potato used, and the desired level of crispiness. It's important to note that different air fryer models may have specific instructions, and even factors like humidity can impact the cooking time.

For frozen French fries, a common recommendation is to cook them at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. Then, shake the fries and cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the desired level of crispiness. It is important to not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.

For homemade French fries, the cooking time and temperature can vary depending on the type of potato used. Russet potatoes are a popular choice for air fryer French fries. One recipe suggests cutting the potatoes into 1/4-inch sticks, rinsing them, and then air-frying at 380°F for 10 minutes. Another recipe recommends cutting the potatoes into 1/2-inch sticks and air-frying at 390°F for a total of 30 minutes, turning them often.

It's important to note that the cooking time may need to be adjusted based on the desired level of crispiness. Checking the fries at the 12-minute mark is a good idea, and then adjusting the timing accordingly. The exact cooking time can vary between different air fryer models, so it's important to keep an eye on the fries to prevent overcooking or burning.

Additionally, some recipes suggest pre-soaking the potatoes in cold water before air-frying to enhance crispiness and prevent sticking. This step can be done for up to 24 hours, but it's important to pat the potatoes dry before adding them to the air fryer.

Frequently asked questions