Frying Fries: Air Fryer Tips And Tricks

Air fryers are a great alternative to deep frying, offering a healthier, less messy, and more convenient way to cook. They are perfect for those who crave crispy French fries but want to avoid the oil and the hassle of deep frying. The cooking time for French fries in an air fryer varies depending on the type of potato and the desired level of crispiness, but it typically ranges from 10 to 20 minutes.

Soak the potatoes in water to remove excess starch

Soaking potatoes in water before frying them in an air fryer is a crucial step in achieving the perfect level of crispiness. By removing excess starch, the potatoes are transformed into mouth-watering fries with a golden, crunchy exterior and a soft, fluffy interior.

The process is simple yet effective. First, cut your potatoes into the desired shape and size, aiming for uniformity to ensure even cooking. Place the sliced potatoes into a bowl of cold water and let them soak. The duration of the soak can vary, with some recipes recommending a quick 30-minute dip, while others suggest a longer soak of up to 24 hours. The longer soak times are ideal if you plan ahead and want to ensure maximum starch removal. However, even a short soak will make a noticeable difference in the texture of your fries.

Once the soaking process is complete, it is essential to thoroughly pat the potatoes dry before proceeding. Excess moisture can impact the cooking process and prevent your fries from reaching their full crispy potential. Grab some paper towels or a clean kitchen towel and ensure that your potatoes are completely dry.

At this stage, you can season your potatoes with a drizzle of oil and your choice of herbs and spices. A light coating of oil helps to enhance the crispiness and is a key differentiator from traditional deep-fried potatoes, which rely on a substantial amount of oil for flavour and texture.

Now, your potatoes are ready for the air fryer. Depending on your desired level of crispiness, adjust the temperature and cooking time accordingly. For a deeper golden colour and a crunchier bite, opt for a higher temperature and a longer cooking time. Remember to shake the basket occasionally during cooking to ensure even browning and to prevent the potatoes from sticking together.

The result? Perfectly crispy air-fried potatoes that taste indulgent but are far healthier than their deep-fried counterparts. Soaking the potatoes in water is a simple yet essential step that makes all the difference, ensuring your fries boast the ideal texture and flavour.

Pat the potatoes dry to remove moisture

After you've chopped your potatoes into fries of roughly the same size, it's important to pat them dry with a paper towel or a clean dish towel. This is because moisture is the enemy of crispiness. You want to make sure there is no residual moisture on the potatoes before you put them in the air fryer, otherwise, you'll end up with soggy fries.

If you're making a large batch of fries, you'll need to work in batches to ensure every fry is crisp. Overcrowding the air fryer basket can lead to sogginess, so it's best to cook the potatoes in a single layer with space in between each fry. This allows the hot air to come into contact with all sides of the fries, making them golden brown and crisp.

If you're making a big batch, you can keep the first batch of fries warm and crispy while you cook the rest by placing them on a wire rack in a single layer in a warm oven (around 200°F or 93°C).

Work in batches to ensure even cooking

Working in batches is essential when frying fries in an air fryer to ensure even cooking and that perfect crispy texture. Here's a step-by-step guide with tips to help you achieve the best results:

Prepare the Fries:

Start by cutting your potatoes into even-sized fries. This is crucial for consistent cooking. If you're making a large batch, consider cutting them slightly thinner (around 1/4 inch thick) to ensure they cook through properly. Soak the cut potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes to remove excess starch, then pat them completely dry before cooking.

Batch Size:

Working in batches means frying smaller portions of fries at a time. The exact batch size will depend on the capacity of your air fryer, but generally, you should fill the basket no more than halfway to ensure proper air circulation and even cooking. For example, if your air fryer basket can comfortably fit 4 cups of fries, work with 2 cups or slightly less per batch to allow for adequate air circulation.

Coating and Seasoning:

Before placing the fries in the air fryer, lightly coat them with a small amount of oil. You can use oils like olive oil, avocado oil, or any other cooking oil with a high smoke point. This helps the fries crisp up nicely. Ensure the oil is evenly distributed among the fries for consistent results. You can also add seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder, or your favorite fry seasoning blend at this step.

Frying Process:

Preheat your air fryer following the manufacturer's instructions. Place the first batch of fries in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overcrowded. Set the timer for approximately 3/4 of the recommended cooking time. For instance, if the total cooking time is 15 minutes, fry each batch for about 11 minutes. This allows for the final batch to have a similar cooking duration to the first, ensuring even frying across all batches.

When the timer goes off, shake the basket or use tongs to gently toss the fries for even browning, then continue cooking for the remaining time. Repeat this process for each subsequent batch, making slight adjustments to the cooking time as needed to account for the initial preheating.

Serving:

After each batch is done, transfer the fries to a serving dish or bowl lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil, helping to maintain their crispness. Sprinkle with additional seasonings, if desired, and serve immediately while they're still hot and crispy.

By working in batches, you ensure consistent cooking and texture for every fry. Enjoy your delicious, homemade air-fried treats!

Test each batch to ensure they are cooked properly

Testing each batch of fries is an important step to ensure they are cooked properly and will yield the best results. This is because every air fryer is different, and even something as small as the humidity in the air can impact cooking time.

The exact cooking time will vary based on your particular air fryer, so it's a good idea to check your first batch at the 12-minute mark and adjust the timing accordingly. If your fries are still not crispy, continue cooking until they reach your desired level of crispness.

Taste is more important than appearance when it comes to doneness. You may find that your fries start to look done before they actually are. To ensure proper cooking, it is recommended to taste a fry from each batch to make sure it is tender on the inside and crisp on the outside before moving on to the next batch.

Additionally, it is important to work in batches to ensure even cooking. Overcrowding the air fryer basket can lead to soggy fries, so be sure to cook in a single layer with space between each fry. This allows the hot air to circulate and come in contact with all sides of the fries, resulting in that golden brown crispness we all love.

By following these tips and testing each batch, you can ensure that your air-fried fries are cooked to perfection!

Re-crisp all fries together at the end

Once you've cooked your fries in batches, you can re-crisp them all together in the air fryer. This will ensure they are all hot and crispy when you serve them.

How to re-crisp fries

After cooking each batch of fries, place them on a baking sheet lined with paper towels and a cooling rack. Set your oven to the lowest temperature setting (no higher than 250°F/120°C) and put the baking sheet inside to keep the fries warm and crispy while you cook the remaining batches. Once all the batches are done, return all the fries to the air fryer and cook for 1-2 minutes.

Tips for re-crisping fries

• If you don't have a cooling rack, you can place the fries directly on a baking sheet lined with paper towels.
• Make sure the oven temperature is low enough so that the fries don't burn or overcook.
• If you don't have an oven, you can also use a toaster oven or warming drawer to keep the fries warm.
• If you don't have time to cook the fries in batches, you can also re-crisp them all together. Simply place them in the air fryer in a single layer and cook for a few minutes, shaking the basket occasionally, until they are all crispy.

Frequently asked questions