Air Fryer French Fries: How Long To Cook?

Air fryers are a great way to make French fries, as they are faster and healthier than deep-frying and can give you the same crispy, crunchy texture. The cooking time will depend on the type of potato and the thickness of the fries, but generally, they should take between 12 to 20 minutes in the air fryer.

Cut potatoes into fries of even size

Achieving evenly cooked French fries in an air fryer starts with cutting your potatoes into fries of the same size. This is important because it ensures that all the fries cook at the same rate. Aim for a thickness of around 1/4-inch, or 0.6 cm. You can use a mandoline to cut the fries, or a sharp knife.

To cut your potatoes into evenly sized fries, follow these steps:

Step 1: Prep the potatoes

First, wash the potatoes and decide whether to keep the skins on or peel them. Leaving the skins on can add texture and flavor, and it also saves time. If you do keep the skins on, make sure to wash the potatoes well and scrub off any dirt.

Step 2: Cut the potatoes

Halve the potato lengthwise, then lay each half cut-side down and cut into 1/4- to 1/2-inch slices. Stack half of the cut potatoes and slice lengthwise again into fries, then repeat with the remaining potatoes.

Step 3: Rinse and dry

After cutting the potatoes, give them a quick rinse in cold water to remove excess starch. This step will help you achieve golden, crunchy fries. For even crispier fries, soak the cut potatoes in cold water for one hour or overnight in the fridge. Drain the potatoes and pat them dry with a paper towel or clean kitchen towel. Make sure to remove as much moisture as possible to ensure crispy exteriors.

Now your potatoes are cut into evenly sized fries and ready for the air fryer!

Rinse and dry potatoes

Rinsing and drying your potatoes is an important step in the process of making French fries in an air fryer. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to do it:

First, cut your potatoes into fries of roughly the same size. This will ensure even cooking. Aim for a thickness of around 1/4-inch, and consider leaving the skin on for added texture and flavor, as well as to save time.

Next, rinse the cut potatoes in cold water. This step helps remove excess starch, which will result in crispier fries. You can simply give them a quick rinse, or for extra crunchy fries, consider soaking them in cold water. If you decide to soak your potatoes, place them in a large bowl of cold water for at least one hour, changing the water once or twice during that time.

After rinsing or soaking, it is crucial to dry the potatoes thoroughly. Use paper towels or a clean kitchen towel to pat them dry, removing as much moisture as possible. This step is important because any residual moisture can lead to soggy fries.

Once your potatoes are dry, you can proceed to season and toss them with oil before placing them in the air fryer.

By following these steps, you will be well on your way to making delicious, crispy French fries in your air fryer!

Season with oil, salt, and pepper

Seasoning your fries with oil, salt, and pepper is a crucial step in the air-frying process. It ensures your fries are tasty and crispy. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide:

First, prepare your fries by chopping your potatoes. Aim for fries of a similar size, about 1/4-inch thick. This ensures they cook at the same rate. You can choose to peel your potatoes or leave the skin on. The skin helps the fries crisp up nicely as they cook.

Next, toss your cut potatoes with oil. You can use olive oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil. Drizzle or lightly coat your potatoes with the oil.

Now, season your oiled potatoes with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like paprika, garlic powder, or Italian seasoning. Toss the potatoes to ensure they are evenly coated.

After seasoning, it is essential to spread your fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each fry. This allows the hot air to circulate around all sides of the fries, making them golden brown and crisp.

Finally, air fry your seasoned potatoes. You can cook them at a temperature between 375-400°F (190-200°C) for about 12 to 20 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispness. Be sure to flip or toss them halfway through the cooking process for even cooking.

Your air-fried French fries are now ready to be served and enjoyed! You can serve them simply with salt and pepper or get creative with fresh herbs, chili powder, garlic powder, or onion powder. They also pair well with various dipping sauces, such as ketchup, mustard, chipotle sauce, or ranch dressing.

Cook in the air fryer at 380-400°F for 10-20 minutes

Once you've prepared your fries for cooking, it's time to get frying!

Preheat your air fryer to between 380°F and 400°F. Place your fries into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are spread out in a single layer with a little space between each one. This will allow the hot air to circulate and ensure your fries cook evenly. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook your fries in batches.

Cook your fries for 10-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The exact cooking time will depend on your air fryer and how crispy you like your fries. Check your fries at the 10-minute mark and adjust the timing accordingly. If you're cooking in batches, place the cooked fries on a baking sheet lined with paper towels and a cooling rack. Keep them in a warm oven (set to a maximum of 250°F) while you cook the remaining batches.

Once all your fries are cooked, toss them all together in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes to warm through and ensure they are all crispy. Then, serve them up with your favorite dips and enjoy!

Toss fries halfway through cooking

Tossing your fries halfway through the cooking process is an essential step in ensuring they cook evenly and get that perfect crispiness. Here's why:

When you put your seasoned potatoes into the air fryer, you want to make sure they're in a single layer with space between each fry. This is so that the hot air in the air fryer can come into contact with all sides of the fries, cooking them evenly and making them golden brown and crisp. However, if you're cooking a large batch of fries, you might need to cook them in batches to ensure they're not overcrowded in the air fryer.

Halfway through the cooking process, you'll want to toss your fries. This is because the fries at the top of the air fryer basket will cook faster than those at the bottom, so tossing them ensures that all the fries get their turn at being directly exposed to the hot air. It also prevents the fries from sticking to the basket. By tossing your fries, you're ensuring that they all cook evenly and get that perfect crispiness you're looking for.

After you've tossed your fries, you'll want to put them back into the air fryer for the remaining cooking time. Depending on your air fryer and the thickness of your fries, this could be anywhere from 6 to 10 minutes. Keep an eye on them, and take them out when they're golden brown and crisp around the edges.

If you're cooking multiple batches of fries, you can keep the first batch warm and crisp by placing them in a warm oven (set to a low temperature, no more than 250 degrees Fahrenheit) on a baking sheet lined with paper towels and a cooling rack. This will prevent them from getting cold or soggy while you cook the rest of the batches.

Once you've cooked all your batches, you can even toss them all into the air fryer together for 1 to 2 minutes to warm them up and make sure they're all nice and crispy before serving. So, don't forget to toss your fries halfway through cooking! It's a crucial step in ensuring your fries come out perfectly.

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