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

Air fryers are a fast, convenient, and healthy way to cook French fries. They are also a great way to satisfy a craving for something crispy and crunchy. The time it takes to air fry French fries depends on the type of potato, the thickness of the cut, and the number of layers in the air fryer. On average, it takes between 10 to 15 minutes to cook French fries in an air fryer.

To make French fries in an air fryer, first cut the potatoes into even-sized sticks, about 1/4-inch thick. Rinse them in cold water and pat them dry. Then, toss the potatoes with oil and seasoning. Spread the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each fry. Air fry at around 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 to 15 minutes, flipping them halfway through. For crispier fries, cook for a few minutes longer.

Cut potatoes into 1/4-inch thick slices/sticks

To cut potatoes into 1/4-inch thick slices/sticks, you'll need a sharp knife or a mandoline. First, scrub the potatoes and peel them if desired. If you like, you can leave the peels on for more flavour, a great crispy texture, added fibre and nutrients, and to save time!

Once your potatoes are clean, cut them in half lengthwise, then cut them into 1/4-inch-wide slices. Turn these slices on their sides and cut them into 1/4-inch sticks. If your potato sticks are long, cut them in half so that your fries are about 3 to 4 inches long.

It's important to cut the potatoes into similar sizes so that they cook at the same rate. If you're using a mandoline, this will be easier to ensure.

Soak potatoes in hot water for 10 minutes

Soaking your potatoes in hot water for 10 minutes is an essential step in achieving the perfect air fryer French fries. This step helps to remove excess starch from the potatoes, which is the key to achieving the coveted crispiness of French fries. The water should cover the potatoes by at least one inch, and you can use very hot tap water for this purpose.

While it may seem like an unnecessary step, soaking the potatoes in hot water has several benefits. Firstly, it cooks the potatoes slightly, creating the "double fried" effect that makes restaurant fries so addictive. Secondly, it helps to remove some of the starch content, allowing the centres of the fries to become tender while the outsides get crispy.

After soaking the potatoes, it is important to dry them thoroughly. Use kitchen towels or paper towels to pat the potatoes until they are completely dry. This step is crucial as it ensures that the potatoes will crisp up nicely in the air fryer.

Once the potatoes are dry, you can proceed with the next steps of the recipe, such as tossing them with oil and seasonings, and arranging them in the air fryer basket. Keep in mind that for the best results, the potatoes should be arranged in a single layer, with a little space between each one. This allows the hot air to circulate around the fries, ensuring that they cook evenly and become golden brown and crisp.

By following these steps and taking the time to properly soak and dry your potatoes, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious, crispy air fryer French fries that rival those from your favourite restaurant.

Pat potatoes dry

Pat your potatoes dry! This is an important step in the process of making French fries in an air fryer. After rinsing the cut potatoes in cold water, it's crucial to pat them dry with a clean towel or paper towels. Removing the excess moisture from the potatoes will help ensure they crisp up nicely during the air-frying process.

The reason for this is twofold. Firstly, potatoes contain starch, and when soaked in water, they release some of this starch. By patting them dry, you're removing the excess starch, which can interfere with the crisping process. Secondly, moisture on the surface of the potatoes can lead to steaming rather than crisping, resulting in soggy fries. So, it's essential to take the time to thoroughly pat them dry before placing them in the air fryer.

Additionally, if you're seasoning your potatoes with salt, which is a common and recommended step to enhance the flavour, it's best to do so just before air-frying. Adding salt too early can draw out moisture from the potatoes, leading to a less crispy texture.

Pat those potatoes dry, and you're well on your way to delicious, crispy French fries from your air fryer!

Season with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder

Seasoning your French fries with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder is a great way to add flavor to your air-fried potatoes. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you achieve the perfect seasoning:

Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes

Start by scrubbing and cleaning your potatoes. You can choose to peel them or keep the skins on, as leaving the skins on adds flavor, texture, fiber, and nutrients, and saves time. Cut the potatoes into even strips, about 1/4-inch thick. Rinse the cut potatoes under cold water to remove excess starch and pat them dry with a clean towel.

Step 2: Seasoning

Add the cut potatoes into a large bowl. Drizzle them with olive oil or vegetable oil and toss to coat evenly. You can also use an olive oil spray for this step. Then, sprinkle your desired seasonings over the potatoes. In addition to salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder, you can also add onion powder, dried dill, cayenne pepper, or Italian seasoning for extra flavor. Toss the potatoes again to ensure they are well coated with the seasonings.

Step 3: Air Frying

Transfer the seasoned potatoes into the air fryer basket. Spread them into a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Overcrowding the basket will result in soggy fries. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the potatoes in batches. Air fry at a temperature between 375 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 to 15 minutes, tossing the potatoes halfway through the cooking time.

Step 4: Serve

Once the potatoes are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and sprinkle with additional salt if desired. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauces. Enjoy!

Cook at 380°F for 12-15 minutes

Cooking french fries in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get that crispy, crunchy texture without the mess and grease of classic fried ones. Here's a detailed guide on how to cook french fries at 380°F for 12-15 minutes in your air fryer:

Preparation:

Before you start cooking, there are a few important steps to ensure your fries turn out perfectly. Firstly, cut your potatoes into fries of uniform size, aiming for a thickness of about 1/4-inch. This ensures that all the fries cook at the same rate. You can peel the potatoes, but leaving the skin on adds flavour, texture, and nutrients, and saves time. Once cut, give the potatoes a quick rinse under cold water and pat them dry.

Next, it's time to season your fries. Place the cut potatoes in a large bowl and drizzle them with olive oil (or vegetable or canola oil). You only need a light coating, as air frying requires much less oil than traditional deep frying. Toss the potatoes to ensure they are evenly coated, and then add your desired seasonings. You can keep it classic with just salt and pepper, or get creative with seasonings like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, or Italian seasoning. Give the potatoes another good toss to ensure they are evenly coated with the seasonings.

Cooking:

Now it's time to cook your fries! Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with a little space between each fry. This is important because it allows the hot air to circulate around each fry, giving them that golden brown crispness. If your air fryer basket is small, you may need to cook the fries in multiple batches.

Set your air fryer to 380°F and let the fries cook for 12-15 minutes. To ensure even cooking, give the basket a shake or use tongs to flip the fries halfway through the cooking time. Keep an eye on them, especially towards the end of the cooking time, to ensure they don't burn. You're looking for a nice golden brown colour around the edges.

Serving:

Once your fries are crispy and cooked to your liking, remove them from the air fryer and serve them hot! French fries are great on their own or as a side dish. For an extra indulgent touch, serve them with your favourite dipping sauce. Ketchup is a classic, but you can also try mustard, chipotle sauce, chimichurri, cheese sauce, ranch dressing, or even make your own unique sauce by mixing mayonnaise with ketchup and spices. Enjoy!

Tips for Success:

• Work in batches: Depending on the size of your air fryer basket, you may need to cook the fries in multiple batches to ensure they have adequate space to get crispy.
• Check for doneness: The exact cooking time may vary based on your air fryer, so it's important to check on your fries regularly, especially towards the end of the cooking time. Taste a fry to ensure it's tender on the inside and crispy on the outside before removing them from the air fryer.
• Reheat and crisp: If you're making a large batch, toss all the fries back into the air fryer for 1-2 minutes at the end to warm them up and ensure they're all nice and crispy.

Frequently asked questions