Air Fryer Fries: Quick, Crispy, And Golden Perfection

Air fryers are a great way to make healthier, less greasy, and faster versions of your favorite fried foods. They are especially good for making French fries, as they can make them crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The best temperature to cook French fries in an air fryer is 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and the cooking time can vary from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the type of potato and cut size.

Soak the potatoes in cold water to remove excess starch

If you're making air fryer fries, you'll want to start by rinsing your potatoes and then soaking them in cold water. This process will help to remove any excess starch, which can impact the texture and taste of your fries. For best results, it's recommended to soak the potatoes for a few hours in cold water. During this time, the excess starch will settle at the bottom of the bowl, leaving you with potatoes that are less starchy.

You may notice cloudiness in the bowl, which indicates that the starch is being removed. If you're short on time, even a quick rinse or a 30-minute soak can help wash away some of the surface starch. However, the longer you soak, the more effective the process will be.

After soaking, be sure to drain the potatoes and pat them dry with paper towels or a clean cloth before proceeding with the next steps of your air fryer fry recipe.

Once your potatoes are prepared, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Depending on the thickness of your fries and the desired level of crispiness, you'll air fry them for 15 to 30 minutes, tossing or shaking the basket every 5 to 10 minutes to ensure even cooking.

For crispy, golden, and delicious air fryer fries, this soaking step is key to ensuring the best results and removing any unwanted starch.

Dry the potatoes and toss in oil

After rinsing and scrubbing the potatoes, it is important to dry them thoroughly with a towel. This is a crucial step as it helps to remove any residual dirt or chemicals from the surface of the potatoes. Additionally, drying the potatoes ensures that the oil will coat the potatoes effectively in the next step.

Once the potatoes are dry, it's time to toss them in oil. Place the potatoes in a large bowl and drizzle them with the desired oil. You can use various types of oil, such as vegetable oil, olive oil, canola oil, or coconut oil. The amount of oil required is minimal, usually just a tablespoon or two. Close the bowl and give it a good shake to ensure that all the potatoes are evenly coated in oil. You can also add other ingredients to the bowl, such as cornstarch, salt, and seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, or smoked paprika, to enhance the flavour of the fries.

After the potatoes have been tossed in oil and seasonings, it's important to give the air fryer basket a light coating of oil as well. This step helps prevent the potatoes from sticking to the bottom of the basket during the cooking process. You can use cooking spray or simply drizzle a small amount of oil into the basket and spread it evenly with a brush or paper towel.

By drying the potatoes and tossing them in oil, you are setting yourself up for success when it comes to achieving crispy and flavourful air fryer fries. This preparation ensures that the potatoes will cook evenly and have a delicious, golden exterior.

Season with salt and other seasonings

Seasoning your fries is a great way to add flavour and make them your own. The most basic seasoning is salt, which is usually added after cooking to taste. However, you can also add salt before cooking, along with other seasonings, to create a more complex flavour profile.

A simple seasoning blend for air fryer fries is olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. This combination is quick, easy, and delicious. You can also experiment with other seasonings to find your perfect flavour. For example, you could try garlic herb seasoning, or a blend of Italian seasoning, or even make your own unique sauce by mixing your favourite spices with mayonnaise and ketchup.

If you want to make Cajun-style fries, you can add cayenne pepper or chilli powder, or use a pre-made Cajun seasoning blend. For a less spicy option, you can use chilli powder instead of cayenne pepper. You could also add black pepper for a bit of heat and some extra flavour.

When seasoning your fries, it's important to make sure they are evenly coated. Place your cut potatoes in a large bowl, drizzle with oil, and sprinkle with your chosen seasonings. Then, toss the potatoes until they are evenly coated. You can also place the potatoes in a large ziplock bag with the oil and seasonings, close the bag, and shake until the potatoes are coated.

Air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes, then shake and cook for another 5-8 minutes

Air frying is a great way to make delicious, crispy and healthy fries. Here is a detailed guide on how to achieve perfect fries at 400°F for 10 minutes, then shaken and cooked for another 5-8 minutes:

Preparation

Before you start air frying, there are a few important preparation steps to ensure your fries turn out great. Firstly, cut your potatoes into your desired thickness. For even cooking, it is best to cut them into similar sizes. You can use a mandolin or a sharp knife to get evenly cut fries.

Next, soak your cut potatoes in cold water to remove excess starch. This step is crucial as it ensures crispier fries and prevents them from sticking during the cooking process. You can soak them for as little as 30 minutes or up to an hour if you have the time. After soaking, drain the potatoes and make sure to pat them dry with a paper towel or kitchen cloth.

Seasoning

Once your potatoes are dry, it's time to add some flavour! Place the potatoes in a bowl and drizzle with a small amount of oil (about 1-2 tablespoons). You can use olive oil or any other oil with a high smoke point. Toss the potatoes to ensure they are evenly coated with oil.

Now, it's time to add your seasonings. At a minimum, you'll want to add some salt to taste. You can use regular salt or try something different like garlic salt or seasoning salt. For extra flavour, you can also add other seasonings such as garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, or Italian seasoning.

Air Frying

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Once it's ready, place your seasoned potatoes into the air fryer basket. Make sure not to overcrowd the basket, and if needed, cook the potatoes in batches. Air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes.

Shaking and Cooking

After the initial 10 minutes, open the air fryer and give the basket a good shake. This step helps ensure even cooking and crispiness. Return the basket to the air fryer and cook for an additional 5-8 minutes, depending on how crispy you like your fries. Keep an eye on them during this final cooking stage to make sure they don't burn.

Serving

Once your fries are done, remove them from the air fryer and give them a final sprinkle of salt, if desired. Serve immediately to enjoy your crispy, golden, and delicious air-fried fries!

Tips

• For thicker fries, cut the potatoes thicker and increase the cooking time. For thinner, crispier fries, cut the potatoes thinner and reduce the cooking time.
• Shake the air fryer basket a few times during cooking to ensure even cooking and to prevent the fries from sticking.
• Don't overfill the air fryer basket. For best results, cook the fries in a single layer or no more than two layers.
• If you want to keep your fries warm between batches, preheat your oven to 200°F and place a baking sheet inside.

Serve with ketchup or other sauces

There are many ways to serve air-fried french fries. Ketchup is the original sauce that was made for french fries, but there are other sauces to dunk these air fryer fries in.

One such sauce is fry sauce, a grown-up version of ketchup and mayonnaise. You can also try a popular Japanese sauce, yum yum sauce, which is light, sweet, and tangy. Cheese sauce is another option—a rich, thick, cheesy sauce. Or, for the kids, ranch dressing.

You can also make your own sauce by mixing your favourite spices with a bit of mayonnaise and ketchup to create a unique sauce. For example, add chipotle chilli powder, garlic powder, and onion powder with mayo and ketchup for a spicy western sauce.

• Cocktail sauce: a basic cocktail sauce typically includes prepared horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, chilli powder, and hot sauce.
• Barbecue sauce: a sweet and savoury sauce that can be used on everything from chicken nuggets to ribs.
• Thousand Island dressing: a salad dressing that is also used on Reuben sandwiches.
• Sweet and sour sauce: a Chinese-American staple that is also a delicious savoury dipping companion to foods like meatballs.
• Rémoulade: a French condiment made with a mayonnaise base and flavoured with spices, herbs, and finely chopped vegetables.

Frequently asked questions