Air Fryer Crispy Fries: Secrets To Perfection

Making crispy fries in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep-frying, with minimal clean-up required. The air fryer circulates heat around each fry, crisping the outside while keeping the inside fluffy. Russet potatoes are a popular choice for air fryer fries, but Yukon golds, red potatoes, and sweet potatoes can also be used.

To make crispy fries in an air fryer, first cut the potatoes into fries of roughly the same size, about 1/4-inch thick. Soak the potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours. Then, pat the potatoes dry and toss them with a light coating of oil and seasonings. Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between each fry. Cook at 380-400°F for 10 minutes, shake the basket, and continue to cook until golden brown.

Soak the potatoes in water for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours

Soaking potatoes before air frying them is a crucial step in achieving the perfect level of crispiness. While it may seem counterintuitive to soak potatoes before cooking them in an air fryer, this step actually helps to remove excess starch, ensuring that the fries are fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside.

The ideal soaking time for potatoes is at least 30 minutes, but they can be soaked for up to 24 hours. This extended window offers flexibility in meal planning and preparation. During this time, the potatoes can be left safely in the refrigerator, making it convenient to prepare them ahead of time. After soaking, it is important to thoroughly pat the potatoes dry before proceeding to the next steps of the air-frying process.

While some recipes may suggest blanching or parboiling the potatoes before air frying, this extra step is not necessary and can lengthen the overall cooking time. Soaking the potatoes in water is a simpler and equally effective method to achieve the desired texture.

Additionally, it is worth noting that the type of potato used can also impact the crispiness of the fries. Russet potatoes, also known as Idaho potatoes, are often recommended for air frying due to their starchy nature, which contributes to a crispier texture. Yukon gold potatoes are another option, resulting in a creamier centre.

In summary, for the crispiest air-fried potatoes, remember to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours, dry them thoroughly, and select the right type of potato for your desired texture.

Pat the potatoes dry

After you've cut your potatoes into fries, it's important to pat them dry. This is because the crispiness of your fries depends on how dry they are before they go into the air fryer. If you don't dry them properly, they may not get as crispy as you'd like.

To dry your potatoes, you can use a clean kitchen towel or some paper towels. Make sure to pat them gently but thoroughly, removing as much moisture as possible. This step is crucial if you've soaked your potatoes before cutting them, as this helps to remove the excess starch and prevents the fries from sticking together.

Once your potatoes are dry, you can proceed to season and toss them in oil before placing them into the air fryer. Remember, the drier your potatoes are, the crispier your fries will be!

Use a light coating of oil

Using a light coating of oil is an essential step in making crispy fries in the air fryer. While the amount of oil used is minimal compared to deep frying, it is still necessary to ensure your fries come out crispy.

The type of oil you use is also important. Olive oil is a popular choice, but it can cause potatoes to brown too quickly without cooking through. Other options include vegetable, canola, coconut, or avocado oil. You can also use olive oil spray instead of drizzling the oil over the potatoes.

Before coating your potatoes in oil, it is recommended to soak them in cold water for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours. This helps to remove excess starch and ensures crispier fries. After soaking, be sure to dry the potatoes thoroughly before adding the oil.

When coating your potatoes in oil, use just enough to lightly toss or drizzle over the potatoes. Too much oil will make your fries greasy and less crispy. You can also add seasonings like salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, or lemon pepper seasoning to the oil for extra flavour.

Finally, when placing the potatoes in the air fryer, ensure they are in a single layer with space between each one. This allows the hot air to circulate around all sides of the fries, making them crispy. If your air fryer basket is too small, you may need to cook the potatoes in multiple batches.

Season with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, or your choice of spices

Seasoning is a key step in making crispy fries in the air fryer. While the circulating hot air of the air fryer will give your potatoes a crispy texture, seasoning will add flavour and make them taste even better.

You can season your potatoes with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. You can also add your choice of spices, such as Old Bay seasoning, garam masala, Cajun seasoning, or rosemary.

• Season the potatoes just before air frying them. If you add salt too early, it will draw moisture out of the potatoes, and they won't be as crispy.
• Lightly toss the potatoes in oil and seasoning. You only need a small amount of oil, just enough to coat the potatoes.
• Make sure the potatoes are in a single layer in the air fryer basket, with a little space between each one. This will allow the hot air to come into contact with all sides of the fries, making them golden brown and crisp.
• Work in batches if needed to give the fries adequate space in the basket.
• After cooking all the batches, put all the fries back into the air fryer together (no need to worry about space this time) and cook for 1-2 minutes to warm and crisp up any that got cold.

Enjoy your crispy, seasoned air fryer fries!

Air fry at 380-400°F for 10 minutes, then toss and cook for another 6-12 minutes

Now it's time to air fry your potatoes! Set your air fryer to a temperature between 380°F and 400°F. Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching each other, and air fry for 10 minutes.

After 10 minutes, remove the basket and toss the potatoes to redistribute them. This will ensure they cook evenly. Place the basket back in the air fryer and cook for another 6 to 10 minutes or 6 to 8 minutes until the fries are golden and crispy.

If you are cooking multiple batches, place all the fries back into the air fryer together for 1 to 2 minutes at the end of the cooking process. This will ensure they are all warm and crispy when you serve them.

Frequently asked questions