Air Fryer Potato Fries: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Air fryers are a great way to make French fries quickly and conveniently. They use a fan and heating element to force hot air around the potatoes, making them cook faster than in a traditional oven. The result is crunchy-tender fries with a scant coating of olive oil. Russet potatoes are the best option for French fries as they have thick skins and starchy, fluffy flesh, which helps them maintain their shape and texture during the frying process. The cooking time for French fries in an air fryer is around 12 to 20 minutes, depending on the desired level of crispiness and the specific air fryer model.

Russet potatoes are best for French fries

The time it takes to cook potato fries in an air fryer depends on how crispy you like your fries and the model of your air fryer. It's recommended to cook them for 12 to 15 minutes at 380°F, flipping them halfway through. However, you may need to adjust the timing based on how they look after the first 12 minutes. It's important to ensure that the fries are in a single layer with some space between them, otherwise, they will steam instead of getting crispy. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the fries in multiple batches.

When it comes to choosing the best potatoes for French fries, you want high-starch potatoes like Idaho or russet potatoes. Russet potatoes are ideal because they are dense and have less moisture, which is key to avoiding soggy fries. The interior of Russet potatoes turns just the way you want it—fluffy and soft—while the exterior stays nice and crispy. They are also the right size for fries, giving you nice, long French fries.

Waxy potatoes like red-skinned, new, or fingerling potatoes are not suitable for French fries because they have a high moisture and sugar content, which can make them limp and soggy and cause them to darken too quickly. Yukon gold potatoes can be used, but they will result in softer fries.

To get the best results with russet potatoes, it is important to soak them in cold water before cooking. This helps to remove the starch, which can make the fries crumbly and soft. Soaking the potatoes for at least an hour or even overnight will result in crispier fries. After soaking, it is crucial to dry the potatoes completely before cooking.

Cut fries evenly for even cooking

When making French fries in an air fryer, it's important to cut the potatoes into evenly sized fries to ensure uniform cooking. Here are some tips to help you achieve that:

Use the Right Type of Potato:

Russet potatoes are the best choice for French fries as they have thicker and drier skins, which crisp up nicely in the air fryer. Yukon Gold potatoes are also an option, but they will result in a creamier center.

Cut the Potatoes into Even Strips:

• Aim for a thickness of about 1/4 to 1/2-inch. You can cut the potatoes by hand or use a French fry cutter for more consistent results.
• First, slice the potato in half lengthwise. Then, lay each half cut-side down and slice it lengthwise into 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick slices. Finally, stack these slices and cut them lengthwise again to create fries.

Soak the Potatoes (Optional):

• Soaking the cut potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes helps remove excess starch, resulting in crispier fries. It also prevents the potatoes from discoloring if you're preparing them in advance.
• After soaking, make sure to dry the potatoes thoroughly before placing them in the air fryer. You can use a salad spinner and paper towels to remove excess moisture.

Single Layer in the Air Fryer:

When cooking the fries, place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket with a little space between each fry. This ensures that the hot air circulates evenly around each fry, resulting in a golden brown and crispy exterior.

By following these tips, you'll achieve evenly cooked French fries with a crispy exterior and fluffy interior, just like the ones made in a deep fryer but with less oil and mess!

Soak potatoes in water for crispiness

Soaking potatoes in water before air frying is a great way to remove the starch from the cut sides, allowing them to crisp up more in the air fryer. It is a crucial step in achieving the coveted crispiness of French fries. While it is not necessary, it is highly recommended for the best results.

Benefits of Soaking Potatoes

• Soaking potatoes in cold water for 30 minutes to 24 hours helps draw out the starch, resulting in crispier fries.
• Soaking prevents the fries from sticking together during the cooking process.
• Soaked potatoes brown more evenly and stay crispy for a longer period of time.

Steps for Soaking Potatoes

• Cut the potatoes into the desired shape and size, typically 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch thick slices or wedges.
• Place the cut potatoes in a bowl of cold water and soak for at least 30 minutes up to 24 hours. You can also soak them in the fridge.
• After soaking, remove the potatoes from the water and pat them completely dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel.
• Proceed with the air frying process as per your recipe instructions.

Tips for Optimal Results

• Ensure that the potatoes are thoroughly dried before placing them in the air fryer.
• If you are short on time, even a quick soak of 10-15 minutes can make a difference in the crispiness of your fries.
• For the best flavour and texture, it is recommended to keep the potato skins on during the soaking and cooking process.

Dry potatoes thoroughly before air frying

Air fryers are a healthier alternative to deep frying, as they require less oil to achieve a similar crispy texture. However, to get the best results, it is important to prepare your potatoes properly before cooking. One key step is to ensure your potatoes are thoroughly dried before placing them in the air fryer.

Air fryers work by circulating hot air around food at a high temperature, cooking it more quickly than a traditional oven and helping to create a crispy exterior. However, if your potatoes are wet when placed in the air fryer, they will not crisp up properly. This is because the water will prevent the hot air from interacting with the surface of the potatoes, leading to sogginess.

How to dry potatoes for air frying

To dry your potatoes, first, scrub them to remove any residual dirt. Then, pat them with a paper towel and set them on a kitchen towel. Leave them to air dry for at least 30 minutes, rotating them after 15 minutes so that both sides of the potato skin can dry. If you are short on time, make sure to pat them as dry as possible with a paper towel or kitchen towel before adding the oil and spices.

How long to air fry potato fries

Once your potatoes are thoroughly dried, you can proceed with the recipe. For French fries, cut your potatoes into matchsticks or wedges, about 1/4-inch thick. Soak the potatoes in a bowl of cold water for 1 to 2 hours, or up to 24 hours if you have the time. This step helps to remove the starch from the potatoes, resulting in a crispier texture. After soaking, pat the potatoes dry again. Then, preheat your air fryer to 380-390°F and add the potatoes in a single layer, leaving some space between each fry. Air fry for 12 to 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy.

Season with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder

Preparing potato fries in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a tasty snack. The cooking time will vary depending on the type of potato and the size of the fries, but generally, it will take around 10-15 minutes in the air fryer at 380-390°F. Now, let's talk about seasoning your potato fries with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.

Scrub and Cut the Potatoes:

Start by selecting the right type of potatoes. Russet potatoes are ideal for frying as they have a fluffy and soft interior, while the exterior stays crispy. Alternatively, Yukon gold potatoes can be used if you prefer a creamier center. Scrub the potatoes clean and cut them into even 1/4-inch thick strips. If you're using sweet potatoes, peel them first and then cut them into 1/2-inch wide fries.

Rinse and Dry the Potato Strips:

Once you've cut the potatoes, rinse the strips in cold water and then thoroughly pat them dry. This step is important to remove any excess starch and ensure that your fries come out crispy.

Seasoning the Potato Strips:

Place the potato strips into a large bowl and drizzle them with olive oil, canola oil, or any other neutral-tasting oil such as avocado oil. Toss the strips to ensure they are evenly coated. Next, it's time to add the seasonings. Sprinkle salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder over the potato strips. You can also add other spices like cayenne pepper or smoked paprika for a smokey flavor. Toss the strips again to ensure that the seasonings are evenly distributed.

Air Frying the Potato Strips:

Transfer the seasoned potato strips into the air fryer basket. Make sure to place them in a single layer and avoid overcrowding the basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to cook the fries in multiple batches. Air fry the potatoes at 380-390°F for 10-15 minutes, tossing or shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time. For crispier fries, you can increase the temperature to 380°F for the last 4-5 minutes of cooking.

Serving the Potato Fries:

Once the fries are golden brown and crispy, transfer them to a large plate and serve them right away. You can enjoy them as a snack or a side dish. They go well with various dipping sauces, such as ketchup, ranch, fry sauce, or garlic sour cream dip.

Frequently asked questions