Air Fryer French Fries: Perfect Timing For Crispy Treats

Air fryers are a fast, easy, and healthy way to make French fries. They use less oil than traditional frying methods, resulting in a crunchy, crispy treat with far less fat. You can make French fries from scratch or heat up frozen or leftover fries. The exact cooking time will depend on the type of fry and your air fryer, but generally, it takes 10–15 minutes at temperatures between 350–400 °F.

How to reheat French fries in an air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to reheat French fries as they can make them crispy again in a short amount of time without drying them out. They are also healthier than deep frying and less time-consuming than baking.

First, preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, arrange the French fries in a single layer in the basket or tray to allow for air circulation. It is important not to overcrowd the basket as this will prevent the fries from getting crispy. Depending on the thickness of the fries, cook for 2-5 minutes. For thinner fries, such as shoestring fries, cook for a shorter amount of time. For thicker fries, such as steak fries, cook for a minute or two longer.

Tips for the Best Results:

• Preheat your air fryer by letting it run on empty for about 3 minutes to ensure the fries cook in high heat for a shorter amount of time.
• Air fry the fries in a single layer to allow for proper air circulation and even cooking.
• Cook thinner fries for a shorter amount of time and thicker fries for a longer amount of time.
• If you notice the fries are not getting crispy, turn up the heat to 380 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for a little longer.

Most types of fries can be reheated in an air fryer, including steak fries, frozen fries, pub-style fries, McDonald's fries, sweet potato fries, and waffle fries.

Leftover fries will stay good in the refrigerator for about 3 to 5 days in an airtight container. However, it is recommended to eat them within 2 days for the best texture.

Dipping Sauces and Seasonings:

While ketchup is a classic choice for dipping fries, there are many other options to explore. These include nacho cheese sauce, ranch, garlic aioli, malt vinegar, and a 1:1 mix of ketchup and mayo. You can also add extra flavor to the fries by sprinkling on some sea salt or French fry seasoning.

Ways to Use Leftover Fries:

Leftover fries can be eaten as is, but they can also be added to sandwiches, turned into loaded fries, topped on a burger, or combined with taco ingredients for a fun twist.

How to cut potatoes for air frying

To cut potatoes for air frying, you'll first want to select your potatoes. Russet potatoes are a popular choice for air frying, but you can also use Yukon gold potatoes, baby potatoes, or sweet potatoes.

When it comes to cutting the potatoes, aim for a thickness of around 1/4-inch. This will ensure that all the potatoes cook at the same rate. You can peel the potatoes if you prefer, but leaving the skin on can add flavor and texture to your fries, as well as saving prep time.

Cut the potatoes into matchsticks or wedges, depending on your desired shape and texture. If you're making wedges, cut the potato in half lengthwise, then cut each half into quarters. Cut down the center of each quarter to create a wedge, and repeat until you've cut the entire potato.

If you're making matchstick fries, simply slice the potatoes into 1/4-inch thick strands. Rinse the cut potatoes under cold water and pat them dry. This will help them crisp up during cooking.

Now you're ready to season and cook your potatoes!

The best type of potatoes for air fryer French fries

There are a few types of potatoes that work best for making French fries in an air fryer. The first is Russet potatoes, which are starchier and result in fries that are crispy on the outside and drier on the inside. This type of fry tastes the most similar to the ones you would get in a restaurant. The second best option is Yukon Gold potatoes, which are waxier and yield fries that are equally crispy on the outside but have a firmer and creamier inside. Yukon Gold potatoes also have a naturally buttery taste, giving the fries a richer flavor.

When choosing your potatoes, try to select the longest ones you can find. Smaller, more round potatoes will result in stubby fries. You can also use red potatoes, but they tend to be a little waxier, and they might not be long enough to turn into the classic fry shape.

It is recommended that you do not peel the potatoes before air frying, as the skin helps the potatoes crisp up nicely during cooking and adds more flavor and texture to the dish. However, if you prefer, you can peel the potatoes before cutting them into fries.

How to season French fries for air frying

Air-fried French fries are a healthier alternative to deep-fried ones, and they're just as crispy and crunchy! The key difference is that air frying uses far less oil. Here's a detailed guide on how to season French fries for air frying:

Ingredients:

• Potatoes (russet or Yukon gold potatoes are recommended)
• Oil (olive oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil)
• Seasonings (salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, or any other spices you prefer)

Step-by-Step Process:

• Scrub and clean the potatoes. You can keep the potato skins on for added flavor, texture, and nutrients, or peel them if you prefer.
• Cut the potatoes into even 1/4-inch thick strips. This ensures even cooking, so all the fries are crispy on the outside and creamy in the middle.
• Rinse the cut potatoes (fries) under cold water and pat them dry with a clean towel. This step helps remove excess starch and will improve crispness.
• Place the fries in a large bowl and drizzle them with oil. Toss the fries to ensure they are evenly coated.
• Add your chosen seasonings to the fries and toss again to distribute the seasonings evenly. You can also get creative and experiment with different seasoning combinations.
• Preheat your air fryer to 380°F.
• Spread the seasoned fries into the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching each other. You may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
• Air fry the fries for 12 to 15 minutes, tossing or flipping them halfway through. Keep an eye on them, and adjust the timing as needed. The fries are done when they are golden and crispy.
• Once all batches are cooked, toss them back into the air fryer together for 1 to 2 minutes to warm and re-crisp any fries that may have cooled down.
• Serve your air-fried French fries with your desired seasonings and dips. They go well with ketchup, mustard, mayo, chipotle sauce, or even something different like chimichurri or vegan cheese!

Tips for Perfect Air-Fried French Fries:

• Work in batches to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave a little space between each fry to allow hot air to circulate.
• Check the fries regularly and adjust the cooking time as needed. Different air fryers may have varying cooking times.
• Taste a fry to ensure it's tender on the inside and crispy on the outside before moving on to a new batch.
• Reheat and crisp up all the batches together at the end for 1 to 2 minutes so that you have a uniform batch of hot, crispy fries.
• Season the potatoes just before air frying. Adding salt too early can draw moisture out of the potatoes, impacting their crispness.

How to serve air fryer French fries

Air fryer French fries are a healthier alternative to deep-fried potatoes, requiring far less oil to achieve a similar crispy texture. They are also faster to cook and don't heat up your kitchen like an oven.

Ingredients

You will need the following:

• Potatoes (russet or Yukon gold)
• Oil (olive, vegetable, or canola)
• Salt
• Other seasonings (e.g. pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, etc.)

Preparation

First, cut your potatoes into fries of roughly equal size, about 1/4-inch thick. Leaving the skin on adds flavor, texture, fiber, and nutrients, and saves time. Rinse the cut potatoes in cold water and pat them dry.

Next, place the fries in a large bowl and drizzle with oil, then toss to coat evenly. Sprinkle with salt and any other desired seasonings, then toss again.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to between 350-400°F. Transfer the seasoned fries to 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, tossing halfway through. The exact cooking time will depend on your air fryer and the thickness of your fries, so check regularly to avoid overcooking.

Once the fries are golden and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately.

Serving Suggestions

Air fryer French fries can be served as a snack, appetizer, or side dish. They are delicious on their own with just salt and pepper, or dressed up with various herbs and spices. They also pair well with a variety of dipping sauces:

• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Mayo
• Chipotle sauce
• Chimichurri
• Cheese sauce
• Ranch dressing
• Fry sauce
• Yum yum sauce

You can also get creative and make your own unique sauce by mixing your favorite spices with mayo and ketchup. For example, add chipotle chili powder, garlic powder, and onion powder for a spicy western sauce.

Reheating

If you have any leftover fries, you can reheat them in the air fryer to restore their crispy texture. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F and arrange the fries in a single layer in the basket or tray. Cook for about 2-3 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of crispiness.

Tips

• Work in batches to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow hot air to circulate and crisp up the fries.
• Check your fries regularly to avoid overcooking, as the exact cooking time will vary depending on your air fryer.
• For extra crispy fries, increase the cooking time.
• If making a large batch, keep the cooked fries warm and crispy by placing them on a wire rack in a single layer in a warm oven (around 200°F).

Enjoy your crispy, delicious, and healthier French fries!

Frequently asked questions