Air Fryer Fries: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Air fryers are a convenient alternative to deep frying, offering a healthier way to cook french fries with less oil and mess. The cooking time varies depending on the type of air fryer, the thickness of the fries, and personal preferences for crispiness. On average, it takes around 12 to 20 minutes to cook french fries in an air fryer, with some recipes recommending a preheat time of about 5 minutes.

The best type of potatoes for air fryer fries

Another option is Yukon gold potatoes, which are waxier and result in fries that are equally crispy on the outside but have a firmer, creamier inside. Yukon gold potatoes have a naturally buttery taste, so the French fries made with them will have a richer flavor.

Baby golden potatoes or regular Yukon golds can also be used. These will crisp up well but will turn a deeper golden color because of their lower starch and higher sugar content. The crisp will be a little softer than russets, but the insides will be creamier and full of flavor.

Red potatoes can also be used, but they will turn an even darker golden brown because of their high sugar and low starch content. They will be crispy coming out of the fryer but will soften quickly. Their insides will be creamy and soft.

Tips for making air fryer fries

• Cut the potatoes into sticks that are about 1/4-inch thick. This will ensure that they cook at the same rate.
• Leave the potato skins on. They help the potatoes crisp up nicely as they cook, add flavor and texture, and save time.
• Soak the potatoes in hot water for 10 minutes before cooking to remove excess starch and ensure maximum crispiness.
• Spread the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving 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.
• Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the potatoes in batches to ensure they cook evenly.
• Air fry at 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-16 minutes, flipping halfway through. The exact timing will depend on your air fryer model.
• For extra flavor, season the fries with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, or your favorite spices.

How to cut potatoes for air fryer fries

The key to getting crispy air fryer fries is to cut your potatoes into thin, evenly sized pieces. Here are the steps to follow:

• Scrub and clean the potatoes: Start by giving your potatoes a good scrub under running water to remove any dirt. You can peel the potatoes if you prefer, but it's not necessary. Leaving the skin on adds flavor, texture, and nutrients to your fries.
• Cut the potatoes into even strips: Aim for a thickness of about 1/4-inch for your fries. This will ensure that they cook evenly and get nice and crispy. You can use a sharp knife or a mandoline for easier, more uniform cutting.
• Rinse and dry the fries: Once you've cut your potatoes, give them a quick rinse under cold water to remove any excess starch. Then, pat them dry with a clean towel. This step is important to help the potatoes crisp up in the air fryer.
• Season the fries: Drizzle your cut potatoes with olive oil or another type of cooking oil. Toss to coat, then season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, or any other spices you like.
• Air fry in batches: Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving a little space between each fry. Don't overcrowd the basket, as this will cause the potatoes to steam instead of crisp. Cook at 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy. You may need to cook in multiple batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
• Toss and serve: Once all your fries are cooked, toss them all together in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes to warm them up and make sure they're all crispy. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!

Tips for the Best Air Fryer Fries:

• Soaking the potatoes in hot water for 10 minutes before cooking can help remove excess starch and make your fries even crispier. Just be sure to pat them dry before adding oil and seasoning.
• If you want to keep your fries warm between batches, preheat your oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit and place a baking sheet inside.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in multiple batches to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
• For thicker-cut fries, try making air fryer potato wedges instead.

How long to cook air fryer fries for

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 use far less oil. The cooking time for air fryer fries depends on various factors, including the type of potato, the thickness of the fries, and the desired level of crispiness. Here is a comprehensive guide to help you cook the perfect batch of air fryer fries.

Preparation

Before cooking, it is important to prepare the potatoes properly. Start by cutting the potatoes into fries of your desired thickness. For even cooking, it is recommended to cut the potatoes into similar-sized pieces, typically about 1/4-inch thick. Leaving the potato skins on is preferable, as it adds flavour, texture, and nutrients, while also saving time. After cutting, rinse the potatoes under cold water to remove excess starch and pat them dry with a paper towel or clean kitchen towel.

Seasoning

Toss the cut potatoes in a bowl with a light drizzle of olive oil or vegetable oil. You can also use canola oil or any other preferred cooking oil. Ensure that all surfaces of the potatoes are evenly coated. For seasoning, you can use salt and pepper, paprika, garlic powder, or any other spices of your choice. It is important to season the potatoes just before placing them in the air fryer, as adding salt too early can draw out moisture and affect crispiness.

Cooking Time

Now, you are ready to cook your air fryer fries! Preheat your air fryer to 380-400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with a little space between each fry. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches. Air fry for 10-15 minutes, flipping the fries halfway through. The exact cooking time will depend on your desired level of crispiness and the specific model of your air fryer. Check your fries at the 12-minute mark and adjust the timing accordingly. If you prefer crispier fries, continue cooking until they reach your desired texture.

Serving

Once your fries are golden brown and crispy, it is time to serve them! You can toss them all together in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes to warm up any batches that may have cooled down. Air fryer fries are delicious on their own or served with various dips and seasonings. You can keep it classic with salt and pepper or get creative with fresh herbs, chili powder, garlic powder, or onion powder. For dipping sauces, ketchup, mustard, and chipotle sauce are always popular choices. Enjoy your crispy, healthy, and delicious air fryer fries!

How to reheat air fryer fries

The key to reheating air fryer fries is to ensure they retain their crispiness. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer

No preheating is required. Simply turn on your air fryer and set the temperature to 380°F.

Step 2: Prepare the Fries

Place the leftover fries in a large bowl. If they have been refrigerated, let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes to remove the chill. Drizzle a small amount of olive oil or vegetable oil over the fries and toss gently to coat. You can also spray the fries with olive oil spray. This will help them crisp up during reheating.

Step 3: Reheat in Batches

Place the fries in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with a little space between each fry. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this will cause the fries to steam instead of crisping up. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to reheat in multiple batches.

Step 4: Air Fry

Air fry the fries for 1 to 2 minutes. Keep a close eye on them, as they can go from crispy to burnt very quickly.

Step 5: Toss and Re-Crisp

Once the fries are heated through and slightly crispy, remove them from the air fryer and toss them in a bowl. This will help distribute the heat and ensure even crispiness. If needed, return the fries to the air fryer for an additional 30 seconds to 1 minute until they reach your desired level of crispiness.

Step 6: Serve

Serve the reheated fries immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.

Tips for Success:

• Work in batches to ensure even heating and crisping.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to prevent steaming.
• Keep an eye on the fries during the reheating process to prevent burning.
• Toss the fries after reheating to distribute heat and ensure even crispiness.
• Reheat for an additional 30 seconds to 1 minute if needed.

By following these steps, you can enjoy your leftover air fryer fries with the same crispy, crunchy texture as when they were freshly cooked.

How to make frozen French fries in the air fryer

Ingredients:

• Frozen French fries (16 oz bag)
• Salt to taste (recommended)
• Olive oil spray

Method:

Place your frozen fries in the air fryer basket. Make sure not to fill the basket more than halfway to three-quarters full. You don't need to put the fries in a single layer, but be careful not to overcrowd the basket, or you may end up with undercooked fries.

Spray the fries lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. You can also add other seasonings, such as garlic powder, onion salt, or ranch powder.

Air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. Give the basket a good shake to toss the fries and ensure even cooking. Then, cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, depending on how crispy you like your fries. For extra crispy fries, increase the cooking time.

Check on the fries regularly to ensure they don't burn, especially if you're using a thinner variety of fries, such as shoestring or crinkle-cut.

Tips:

• Shake the basket halfway through the cooking process, or more, to ensure even cooking on all sides of the fries.
• Adjust the cooking time based on your preferred level of crispiness.
• Different types of fries may require slight adjustments to the cooking time. For example, crinkle-cut or waffle fries may take 10-11 minutes, while sweet potato fries may take 16 minutes.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
• You can experiment with different oils and seasonings to find your preferred combination.

Serving:

These frozen French fries are likely to disappear quickly, but if you want to serve them with sauces, the options are endless. While ketchup is the classic choice, you can also try ranch dressing, fry sauce, yum yum sauce, cheese sauce, or even make your own unique sauce by mixing your favourite spices with mayo and ketchup.

Enjoy your crispy, golden, and delicious air-fried French fries!

Frequently asked questions