Air Fryer Fries: Timing For Perfect Crispy Results

Air fryers are a great way to make French fries. They are healthier than deep-fried fries and can be made in a fraction of the time. The cooking time depends on the type of fry and the desired crispiness, but generally, they take around 10-20 minutes in the air fryer.

How to cut fries for an air fryer

The key to getting crispy, crunchy, and evenly cooked fries in an air fryer is to cut the potatoes into uniform-sized sticks. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to cut potatoes for air fryer fries:

• Start with russet potatoes or Yukon gold potatoes. Russets are starchier and result in drier, crispier fries, while Yukon golds have a waxier texture and yield fries with a firmer, creamier inside.
• Scrub and clean the potatoes. You can peel them if you prefer, but leaving the skin on adds flavor, texture, and nutrients, and saves time.
• Cut the potatoes into even sticks, about 1/4-inch thick. This ensures that all the fries cook at the same rate. You can use a sharp knife or a mandoline for easier and more uniform cutting.
• Rinse the cut potatoes (fries) under cold water and pat them dry with a clean towel. This step helps remove excess starch and ensures crispier fries.
• Place the fries in a large bowl and drizzle them with olive oil or vegetable oil. You can also use canola oil or duck fat. Toss the fries to coat them evenly with oil.
• Season the fries with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, or any other spices of your choice. You can also try seasoning blends such as Cajun seasoning, taco seasoning, Italian seasoning, or curry powder.
• Toss the fries again to ensure they are evenly coated with the seasoning.
• Place the seasoned fries into the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving a little space between each fry. Avoid overcrowding the basket as this will cause the potatoes to steam instead of crisping up. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the fries in multiple batches.
• Air fry at a temperature between 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes, flipping the fries halfway through. The exact cooking time will depend on your air fryer and the thickness of your fries, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.
• Once the fries are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and serve them with your favorite dipping sauce!

By following these steps and adjusting the cooking time based on your air fryer's performance, you'll be able to enjoy delicious, crispy, and evenly cooked fries made right in your air fryer!

Air fryer temperature and time

The temperature and time for cooking French fries in an air fryer can vary depending on the type of potato, the thickness of the cut, and the desired level of crispiness. Here are some general guidelines and tips to help you get the perfect air-fried French fries:

Temperature

Most recipes recommend preheating your air fryer to between 375-400°F (190-200°C). However, some recipes suggest cooking at 380°F or 400°F.

Cooking Time

• The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your fries and the desired level of doneness. Thicker-cut fries will take longer to cook, while thinner fries will cook more quickly.
• For thin to medium-thick fries, cook for 10-15 minutes, flipping or shaking the basket halfway through. Check the fries at the 12-minute mark to see if they are crispy and brown around the edges. If not, continue cooking in 1-2 minute intervals until they reach the desired level of doneness.
• For thicker-cut fries, you may need to increase the cooking time to 16 -20 minutes.
• It's important to work in batches to ensure even cooking and crispiness. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket, as this can lead to soggy fries. Leave space between each fry to allow the hot air to circulate.
• Depending on the type of air fryer and other factors such as humidity, the cooking time may vary. It's important to keep an eye on the fries and adjust the time as needed.

Tips for Crispier Fries

• Soak the cut potatoes in cold water for at least one hour before cooking to remove excess starch and promote crispiness. Change the water after 20-30 minutes for best results.
• After soaking, make sure to pat the potatoes completely dry with paper towels or a clean dish towel. Removing moisture is crucial for achieving crispiness.
• Toss the potatoes with a small amount of olive oil or another cooking oil of your choice before air frying. This helps the seasoning stick to the potatoes and promotes even browning.
• Season the potatoes just before air frying. Adding salt too early can draw out moisture and affect crispiness.
• If your air fryer doesn't have a rotating basket, shake or flip the fries halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking and browning.
• For extra crispiness, increase the cooking time in 1-2 minute intervals until the desired level of crispiness is achieved.

How to reheat fries in an air fryer

If you're craving a crispy, crunchy snack, reheating french fries in an air fryer is a great option. Here's a step-by-step guide to ensure your fries turn out perfectly:

Preparing the Fries for Reheating

• Soaking: While this step is optional, soaking the fries in cold water for about an hour before reheating can help remove excess starch and improve their crispness.
• Drying: After soaking, it's crucial to pat the fries dry with paper towels or a clean dish towel. Removing moisture is essential for achieving that desired crispness.
• Seasoning: Before reheating, toss the fries with a light coating of olive oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil. This helps the seasoning stick to the potatoes. You can also add your preferred seasonings, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or even cajun seasoning.

Reheating the Fries in the Air Fryer

• Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to a temperature between 380°F and 400°F.
• Arrange the fries: Place the seasoned fries in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with space between each fry. Overcrowding the basket can lead to soggy fries. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to reheat in batches.
• Reheat: Cook the fries for 10 to 15 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of crispness. For best results, shake or flip the fries halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.
• Combine batches: If you cooked the fries in multiple batches, combine them all in the air fryer basket for a final crisping. Place them in the air fryer for 1 to 2 minutes to ensure all fries are uniformly hot and crispy.

Tips for Perfect Air-Fried Fries

• Cut fries evenly: Aim for uniform thickness when cutting your potatoes. This ensures that all the fries cook at the same rate.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer: Always work in batches if needed to give the fries adequate space in the basket. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking and soggy fries.
• Taste test: The appearance of the fries may not always indicate doneness. It's best to taste a fry from each batch to ensure it's tender on the inside and crisp on the outside.
• Reheat in a warm oven: If you prefer, you can place the cooked fries on a wire rack in a single layer and keep them warm in an oven set to a low temperature (around 200°F). This prevents the fries from getting cold or soggy while maintaining their crispiness.

How to prepare potatoes for air fryer fries

Ingredients

To make air fryer fries, you will need potatoes, oil, and salt. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or Cajun seasoning.

Preparing the Potatoes

First, chop your potatoes into fries. Aim for them to be a similar size, about 1/4-inch thick, so they cook at the same rate. You can peel the potatoes, but leaving the skin on can help them crisp up and adds texture.

Once chopped, toss the potatoes with olive oil and salt. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or Cajun seasoning.

Cooking the Fries

Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not touching. You may need to cook in batches to ensure they have adequate space. Air fry at 380-400°F for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway. Check the fries at the 12-minute mark to see if they need more time.

Once they are crispy and golden brown, remove them from the air fryer and serve. You can also toss them with additional seasonings, like rosemary, salt, and pepper, if desired.

How to season air fryer fries

Air fryer fries are a healthier alternative to deep-fried or oven-baked fries. They are just as crispy and crunchy as regular fries, but they use far less oil.

Ingredients:

• 2 russet potatoes (about 500 grams once peeled)
• 2 teaspoons of ghee (or coconut oil)
• 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon of onion powder
• 1 teaspoon of kosher salt (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper (optional)
• Cayenne pepper or chilli powder (optional)

Method:

• Peel and cut the potatoes into fries (about 1/4-inch thick).
• Soak the potato pieces in water for 10-15 minutes.
• Drain and pat the potatoes dry.
• In a large mixing bowl, toss the potatoes with melted ghee or oil and seasonings.
• Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. You may need to cook in batches.
• Air fry at 356-400°F for 15-20 minutes, tossing the basket halfway through.
• For extra crispiness, air fry for an additional 1-2 minutes.
• Serve immediately with your favourite dipping sauce.

Tips:

• For a lighter option, use an olive oil spray instead of ghee or coconut oil.
• If you don't want to peel the potatoes, simply scrub them to remove excess dirt before slicing.
• Get creative with seasonings! Try a blend of garlic herb seasoning, Italian seasoning, or Cajun seasoning.
• For crispier fries, soak the cut potatoes in water for 30 minutes to remove excess starch, then pat them dry before cooking.

Frequently asked questions