Marianne Martinez
Commercial French fries are often deep-fried, but air fryers offer a healthier alternative that uses less oil and cooks food more quickly. Air fryers circulate hot air around food, cooking it quickly and giving it a crispy exterior without the need for deep-frying. While air-fried French fries may not taste exactly the same as deep-fried ones, they can still achieve a crispy exterior and fluffy interior.
Characteristics and Values Table for Commercial French Fries in an Air Fryer:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Potato | Russet, Yukon Gold |
| Potato Skin | Can be kept on if washed, otherwise peeled |
| Potato Cut | 1/4-inch thick sticks, 3-4 inches in length |
| Potato Prep | Rinse under cold water, pat dry, soak in cold water for 10 minutes to 24 hours |
| Oil Type | Olive oil, vegetable oil, canola oil, any neutral-tasting oil with a high smoke point |
| Seasoning | Salt, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, Italian seasoning, truffle salt, Parmesan, rosemary, pepper |
| Air Fryer Type | Basket-style, toaster oven-style |
| Air Fryer Temperature | 360-400°F (150-200°C) |
| Air Fryer Time | 8-16 minutes, check at 12 minutes, additional 6 minutes if needed |
| Serving Tip | Toss all batches together for 1-2 minutes to crisp and warm |
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What You'll Learn
Potato type and preparation
The type of potato you use for your commercial French fries is important. Russet potatoes are the best option for air frying, but you can also use Yukon Gold potatoes, which will give you a creamier centre. If you want thicker-cut fries, you can use any potato to make potato wedges.
Before cutting your potatoes, scrub the skins and wash the outside with a scrub brush. You can also peel them if you prefer. It is recommended to cut the potatoes into 1/4-inch thick sticks, or matchsticks that are 3 to 4 inches in length. The key is to ensure that all the potatoes are cut to a similar size so that they cook at the same rate.
Rinse the cut potatoes under cold water to remove some of the starch, which will help them get crispier. Then, pat them dry with a paper towel. Soaking the potatoes in hot water for 10 minutes or in cold water for up to 24 hours before cooking is also recommended by some, as it helps to achieve the coveted French fry crispiness and prevents the fries from sticking together. Just be sure to pat them completely dry before placing them in the air fryer.
Once your potatoes are cut and dried, add them to a bowl and drizzle with oil. Toss, season, and toss again until the slices are covered in oil and spices. You can season your fries with salt, pepper, rosemary, onion powder, garlic powder, or even something more exotic like curry powder, truffle salt, or Parmesan.
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Oil and seasoning
Air-fried French fries require only a light drizzle of oil, unlike deep-fried ones, which use quarts of oil. You can use olive oil, vegetable oil, canola oil, or any neutral-tasting oil with a high smoke point. The oil helps the fries become crispy. After cutting the potatoes into fries, you can soak them in hot water for 10 minutes or in cold water for up to 24 hours to remove some of the starch, which also helps achieve crispiness. Then, pat them dry with a paper towel.
Add the fries to a bowl and drizzle with oil. Toss, season, and toss again until the slices are covered in oil and spices. You can season with salt, but it is recommended to add this just before air-frying, as adding it too early will draw out moisture and prevent crispiness. Onion powder, garlic powder, and curry powder are also popular seasoning options. For a bolder, spicy flavor, you can use Cajun seasoning, or for an Italian spin, try Italian seasoning. For a restaurant-worthy option, sprinkle truffle salt and top with freshly grated Parmesan.
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Air fryer type and temperature
The type of air fryer you use can impact the cooking time and temperature required for your French fries. For example, a basket-style air fryer is easier to shake to toss the fries, while a toaster oven-style air fryer runs hotter than a basket-style one. Therefore, you should reduce the temperature by 20-25°F when using a toaster oven-style air fryer.
The ideal temperature for cooking French fries in an air fryer is between 360°F and 400°F. The specific temperature you choose within this range may depend on the type of air fryer you have and your personal preference for crispiness. For example, one source recommends cooking at 380°F in a basket-style air fryer or 360°F in a toaster oven-style air fryer. Another source sets their air fryer to 390°F.
The cooking time for French fries in an air fryer can vary depending on the thickness of the fries, the number of layers cooked at once, and the model and power of the air fryer. It is recommended to cook the fries for 8 to 16 minutes, turning them once or twice during the cooking process. Some sources suggest cooking for as little as 10 minutes, while others recommend up to 30 minutes for crispier fries.
It is worth noting that the temperature and cooking time may need to be adjusted based on your specific air fryer model and your desired level of crispiness. It is always a good idea to check on the fries periodically and adjust the temperature or cooking time as needed. Additionally, some air fryer models may require preheating, which typically takes 2-3 minutes.
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Cooking time and technique
The cooking time for your French fries will vary depending on the model and power of your air fryer, as well as the thickness of your potato slices and the number of layers you cook at once. For example, the cooking time for a Ninja air fryer is 8 minutes, while the time for a basket-style air fryer is 10 minutes at 380°F or 360°F for a toaster oven-style air fryer. The Phillips Viva Air Fryer can be set for 10 to 15 minutes. In general, air fryer French fries will take about 13 minutes to cook, depending on how thinly they are cut. It is recommended to cut the potatoes into 1/4-inch thick slices or matchsticks that are 1/4-inch wide and 3 to 4 inches long to ensure even cooking. You can use a mandoline or a sharp knife to cut the potatoes.
Before cooking, scrub the potatoes and cut them into the desired size. You can leave the skins on or peel them. Rinse the cut potatoes under cold water to remove excess starch, which will help them get crispier, and then pat them dry with a paper towel. Soaking the potatoes in hot water for 10 minutes or in cold water for up to 24 hours before cooking is also recommended by some to achieve the desired crispiness and prevent the fries from sticking together. However, make sure to pat them completely dry before placing them in the air fryer.
Add the fries to the bottom of the air fryer basket, ensuring they are all on the same level and not stacked on top of each other. Leave a little space between each fry to allow for even cooking and to prevent steaming. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the fries in batches. Drizzle the potatoes with oil, such as olive oil, vegetable oil, canola oil, or any neutral-tasting oil with a high smoke point, and toss to coat evenly. You can also add seasonings at this point, such as onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or cayenne pepper. However, it is recommended to add salt after cooking, as it can draw moisture out of the potatoes and affect their crispiness.
Cook the fries for the recommended time based on your air fryer model and the thickness of your slices. For example, cook at 375 degrees F for 8 to 16 minutes, turning them once or twice during cooking. The fries are done when they are crispy and golden brown. If you are using a basket-style air fryer, you can shake the basket to toss the fries during cooking.
After cooking, place the fries on a baking sheet lined with paper towels and a cooling rack. Set them in a warm oven (below 250 degrees F) to keep them warm while you cook any remaining batches. Finally, toss all the batches together in the air fryer for 1 to 2 minutes to warm and crisp up before serving.
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Serving suggestions
Air fryer French fries are a versatile dish that can be served as a snack, appetiser, or side. They are delicious on their own, but you can also serve them with a variety of seasonings and dips.
For a simple, classic option, serve your fries with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. If you want to get more creative, try adding fresh herbs like parsley, or spices like chilli powder, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, rosemary, or thyme.
If you're a fan of dipping sauces, the options are endless. Ketchup, mustard, and ranch are always popular choices, but you can also try out-of-the-box options like chipotle sauce, chimichurri, vegan cheese, spicy whipped feta, mayonnaise, blue cheese dip, or French fry sauce. For a tangy, spicy option, try Zhoug (Skhug) Sauce—a sauce that originated in Israel.
These crispy, crunchy fries are perfect for satisfying your cravings and can be served with a variety of meals or as a snack on their own. They are a great healthier alternative to traditional deep-fried French fries.
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Frequently asked questions
Cut your potatoes into 1/4-inch thick sticks, then rinse them under cold water to remove the starch. Pat them dry, then toss them in a bowl with oil and seasoning. Spread the fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 380°F for 10 minutes, or 360°F for 10 minutes in a toaster oven-style air fryer.
Preheating is not necessary for this recipe, but if your air fryer recipe does require it, it should only take 2-3 minutes.
To get your fries crispy, allow them to have room and not stack them on top of each other. You can also soak the potatoes in hot water for 10 minutes or in cold water for up to 24 hours before cooking to help them crisp up.
The cooking time will depend on the model and its power, the thickness of the fries, and the number of layers. Plan to air fry at 375°F for 8 to 16 minutes, turning them once or twice.
Russet potatoes are the best type of potato for air fryer French fries.
