Ella Walter
Air fryers are a great way to make fresh-cut fries that are crispy and crunchy, without the mess and grease of classic frying. They are a convenient way to make a quick, tasty snack with minimal clean-up. The process is simple: cut potatoes into fries, rinse, season, and cook in the air fryer. However, there are a few tips and tricks to ensure your fries are perfect. For example, it is recommended to soak the cut potatoes in cold water to remove excess starch and ensure crispiness. Additionally, overcrowding the air fryer can lead to soggy fries, so it is important to cook the potatoes in batches, ensuring they are spread out in a single layer.
Characteristics and Values Table for Air Fryer Fresh Cut Fries:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Potato Type | Russet, Yukon Gold, Red Potatoes |
| Potato Preparation | Rinse, scrub, and clean potatoes. No need to peel. Cut into 1/4-inch thick sticks/slices. |
| Soaking | Soak cut potatoes in cold water for 15 minutes to 24 hours to remove excess starch. |
| Drying | Pat potatoes completely dry with paper towels before cooking. |
| Oil | Olive oil, avocado oil, vegetable oil, canola oil, coconut oil, or any cooking oil of choice. |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, rosemary, chili powder, or Cajun seasoning. |
| Air Fryer Temperature | 380°F-425°F. No need to preheat. |
| Cooking Time | 10-18 minutes. Toss/shake the basket occasionally for even cooking. |
| Serving | Serve immediately. Toss all fries together at the end for 1-2 minutes to reheat and make crispy. |
| Storage | Refrigerate leftovers covered for a few days. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Reheat in a skillet or air fryer. |
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What You'll Learn
Potato preparation: wash, peel and cut into fries
Preparing the potatoes is the first step in making fresh-cut fries in an air fryer. Start by rinsing the potatoes under cold water to remove any dirt or residue. You can choose to peel the potatoes or leave the peel on, but if you decide to keep the peel, make sure to wash the potatoes thoroughly. The peel can add nutrients and help the potatoes crisp up, so some people prefer to keep it on.
After washing, use a sharp knife or a mandoline to cut the potatoes into even, 1/4-inch thick strips. Try to make the fries the same size so they cook evenly. Once cut, place the potatoes in a large bowl of cold water and soak them for at least 15 minutes, or even up to an hour or two. Soaking helps remove excess starch, which can make the potatoes soggy and prevent them from crisping up during cooking.
After soaking, remove the potatoes from the water and pat them completely dry with paper towels or a clean dish towel. It's important to remove all residual moisture, as moisture is the enemy of crispiness. Once the potatoes are dry, you can proceed to the next step of tossing them with oil and seasoning.
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Soak the potatoes in cold water to remove starch
Soaking your potatoes in cold water is a great way to remove excess starch, which helps them get crispier when cooked in the air fryer. The length of time you should soak them for can vary, but it should be for at least a few minutes, and no longer than 30 minutes. If you're short on time, a quick rinse under cold running water will also do the trick.
To soak your potatoes, start by cutting them into your desired shape and size. If you're making fries, it's best to cut them into even, 1/4-inch thick strips. Try to make them all a similar size so that they cook at the same rate. Once they're cut, fill a large bowl with cold water and submerge the potatoes. You can also add a tablespoon of vinegar and some salt to the water, which will help season the potatoes and promote crispiness.
After soaking, it's important to thoroughly pat the potatoes dry with a paper towel before adding any oil or seasoning. This ensures that the oil and spices can coat the potatoes evenly and that they cook properly in the air fryer.
If you're making a large batch, you can store your cut and soaked potatoes in an airtight container or zip-top bag in the fridge for up to three days. Just be sure to pat them dry before cooking.
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Dry the potatoes and season with oil and spices
After cutting the potatoes, it is important to dry them thoroughly. Use paper towels or a clean dish towel to pat them dry. This is because moisture is the enemy of crispiness. If you want to go the extra mile, you can soak the cut potatoes in a large bowl of cold water for at least 15 minutes, or even up to 24 hours, before drying them. This will help to remove excess starch, which will make the potatoes crisp up better during cooking.
Once the potatoes are dry, it's time to season them. Place the potatoes in a large bowl and drizzle them with oil. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, vegetable oil, canola oil, or coconut oil. You only need a small amount of oil, about 1-2 tablespoons, just enough to help the seasoning stick and to make the potatoes nice and crispy.
After adding the oil, sprinkle your chosen seasonings over the potatoes. Toss the potatoes to coat them evenly in the oil and seasoning. You can use salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, rosemary, or even Cajun seasoning. If you want to keep things simple, just use salt and pepper. However, feel free to experiment with different combinations of spices and herbs to find your perfect flavor.
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Cook in a single layer in the air fryer at 380°F for 10 minutes
When cooking fresh-cut fries in an air fryer, it's important to ensure they cook evenly and achieve the desired crispiness. To achieve this, it is recommended to cook the fries in a single layer in the air fryer. This means giving each fry some space to breathe and not overcrowding the air fryer basket. By allowing hot air to circulate around each fry, they will cook faster and turn crunchier.
To cook in a single layer, start by cutting your potatoes into even, 1/4-inch thick strips. Rinse these cut potatoes under cold water to remove excess starch, which can hinder crispiness. Then, pat the potatoes dry with paper towels or a clean dish towel to ensure no residual moisture is left. This step is crucial, as moisture is the enemy of crispiness.
Next, transfer the cut and dried potatoes to a large bowl and drizzle them with olive oil or cooking oil of your choice. You can also add seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, salt, or pepper at this stage. Toss the potatoes to ensure they are evenly coated with oil and spices.
Now, it's time to cook the fries. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F. Then, arrange the seasoned potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring there is a little space between each fry. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches. Cook the fries at 380°F for 10 minutes. After this initial cooking period, toss the fries to ensure even cooking, and then cook for an additional 6-10 minutes until they are golden and crispy to your liking.
By following these steps and cooking your fresh-cut fries in a single layer at 380°F for 10 minutes, you'll achieve delicious, crispy results.
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Reheat and recrisp in the air fryer before serving
Reheating and recrisping fries in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get that fresh-from-the-fryer crunch. To reheat and recrisp your fries, start by preheating your air fryer to 350–380°F (176–193°C) for about three minutes. If your air fryer cooks a little slower, you can increase the temperature to 380°F (193°C).
While the air fryer is preheating, prepare your fries. If you're cooking fresh fries, cut your potatoes into even, 1/4-inch thick strips. Rinse the cut potatoes in cold water to remove excess starch, which will help them get crispy, and then pat them dry with a paper towel. Place the fries in a large bowl and drizzle them with oil—a fresh layer of fat will help conduct heat more effectively. Sprinkle your desired seasonings over the fries and toss to coat them evenly.
Once the air fryer is preheated, arrange the fries in a single layer in the fryer basket, leaving a little space between each one. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this will prevent the hot air from circulating and crisp up the fries evenly. If you have a lot of fries, you may need to work in batches.
Place the basket into the air fryer and set the temperature to 325–380°F (162–193°C). Set the cooking time for 3–5 minutes for fresh fries, and 5–10 minutes for leftover fries. Keep in mind that thicker-cut fries may need a minute or two longer to heat up and get crispy.
Once the cooking time is up, open the air fryer and check on your fries. If they're not yet hot and crispy, place the tray back in and cook for an additional minute. You can also spritz the fries lightly with oil for a just-out-of-the-fryer sizzle. Finally, serve your crispy, golden fries with your favorite sauces and seasonings!
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Frequently asked questions
First, cut your potatoes into even 1/4-inch thick strips. Soak the cut potatoes in a large bowl of cool water for 15 minutes to an hour or so to remove excess starch. Pat the potatoes dry to remove excess moisture. Then, place the potatoes in a large bowl, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Toss to coat evenly. Working in batches, arrange the fries in an even layer in the air fryer and cook until golden brown and crispy, about 10-18 minutes.
Moisture is the enemy of crispy fries. Make sure your fries are very dry after soaking by patting them with paper towels. Also, work in batches to ensure every fry is crisp. Overcrowding can lead to soggy fries, so cook in a single layer with space in between.
Once cooked and cooled, these air fryer french fries can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days or frozen for longer storage. Reheat in a single layer in a 350°F air fryer for 3-5 minutes, or until warmed through and crispy.
