Cody Casey
Air fryers are a great way to make delicious, crispy, crunchy, and healthy fries. They are a healthier alternative to deep-fried or baked fries and can be made in a matter of minutes. The air fryer method is also versatile, allowing you to use different types of potatoes, oils, and seasonings to create your perfect batch of fries. With this guide, you'll learn the basics of making fries in an air fryer at 200 degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit.
Characteristics and Values Table for Air Fryer French Fries at 200°C
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preheat Temperature | 375-400°F (190-200°C) |
| Temperature | 375-400°F (190-200°C) |
| Cook Time | 15-20 minutes |
| Potato Type | Russet, Yukon Gold, Sweet Potato |
| Potato Size | 1/4-1/2 inch thick, 3-4 inches long |
| Potato Preparation | Soak, Peel (Optional), Pat Dry, Season |
| Oil Type | Olive, Vegetable, Canola, Neutral-Tasting with High Smoke Point |
| Seasoning | Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Paprika, Herbs |
| Serving | Warm in Oven at 200-250°F |
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer to 190-200°C
Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures that your fries will cook evenly and efficiently. To preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature of 190-200°C, follow these steps:
First, turn on your air fryer and set the temperature to 190-200°C. Most air fryers have a preheat function, but if yours doesn't, simply set the temperature and wait a few minutes for it to heat up. The time it takes to preheat will vary depending on your air fryer model, so refer to the manufacturer's instructions or user manual for specific information.
While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your potatoes. Start by scrubbing the potatoes and deciding whether to peel them or not. Peeling is a matter of personal preference. Leaving the skin on adds texture and flavor, while peeling creates a smoother texture. If you choose to peel, use a vegetable peeler or a sharp knife to carefully remove the skin.
After scrubbing and/or peeling, cut the potatoes into fries of your desired size. For even cooking, it is important that the fries are of a similar size. A mandoline can help you achieve uniform fries, but a sharp knife will also do the job. Aim for a thickness of about 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch. If you like your fries with a creamier center, go for the thicker cut.
Once your potatoes are cut, rinse them in a bowl of water to remove excess starch. This step is optional but can help improve the texture of your fries. Cover the potatoes with water, swish them around, and then drain the starchy water. Repeat this process if needed until the water remains clear. Pat the potatoes completely dry with paper towels or a clean cloth.
Now that your potatoes are prepared and dried, it's time to season them. Drizzle olive oil over the potatoes and toss to coat. You can also use other types of oil, such as vegetable oil, canola oil, or any neutral-tasting oil with a high smoke point. After coating with oil, sprinkle your desired seasonings. Salt is a classic choice, but you can also experiment with garlic powder, black pepper, paprika, herbs like rosemary or thyme, or even a pinch of cayenne pepper for some heat. Toss the potatoes again to ensure the spices and oil are well distributed.
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Cut the potatoes to a similar size
Cutting your potatoes to a similar size is key to ensuring your fries cook evenly. Russet potatoes are the classic choice due to their high starch content, which results in fluffy interiors and crispy exteriors. Yukon Gold potatoes are another option, but they will be slightly softer in the centre.
Before cutting, wash and scrub the potatoes with running water until clean. You can peel the potatoes or leave the skins on, which adds texture and nutrients. However, the skin of russet potatoes can be tough.
Now, you're ready to cut. For even-sized fries, it's best to use a mandoline or a potato press. If you don't have either of these, you can use a sharp chef's knife. First, cut a thin slice off the edge of the potato to create a flat base. Then, place the potato cut-side down and cut it into slabs lengthwise. The thickness of these slabs will determine the thickness of your fries—a quarter-inch is standard, but you can go thicker or thinner depending on your preference. Stack these slabs and cut them lengthwise into fries, ensuring they are the same thickness as your slabs.
If you're making shoestring fries, you can use a mandoline with cross-cutting teeth. Simply push the peeled potatoes through, choosing the desired slice width and tooth spacing.
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Toss potatoes in oil and salt
To make French fries in an air fryer, you'll need to cut your potatoes into fries. It's up to you whether you peel the potatoes or not—peeling them will give them a smoother texture, but leaving the skin on adds texture and flavor. Aim for your fries to be around 1/4-inch thick, although some people prefer them thicker at 1/2-inch. Thicker fries will take longer to cook, but they'll have a creamier center.
Once you've cut your potatoes, it's time to toss them in oil and salt. You can use olive oil, or another neutral-tasting oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable or canola oil. Drizzle or spray the oil over the potatoes, then sprinkle with salt. You can also add other seasonings at this point, such as garlic powder, black pepper, paprika, or herbs. Toss the potatoes until they're evenly coated in oil and seasonings.
It's important not to add salt too early, as this will draw moisture out of the potatoes and make them less crispy. However, if you're using a salt-based seasoning blend, omit the extra salt, as seasoning salt is already salty.
If you're using fresh potatoes, you may also want to soak them in water for 30 minutes before tossing them in oil and salt. This will help remove some of the starch, resulting in a crispier fry. After soaking, be sure to dry the potatoes thoroughly before adding oil and salt.
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Cook in a single layer for 15-20 minutes
When cooking fries in an air fryer at 200 degrees, it is important to ensure they cook evenly and achieve the desired crispiness. To achieve this, spread the fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each one. This arrangement allows the hot air to circulate and come in contact with all sides of the fries, resulting in an even cook.
Depending on the quantity of fries, you may need to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer. By giving them adequate space, you promote even cooking and the formation of a golden brown, crispy exterior. The exact timing will vary based on your specific air fryer model, so it is advisable to monitor the fries closely and make adjustments as needed.
While cooking, you can shake or flip the fries halfway through to ensure even cooking on all sides. This prevents them from sticking to the basket and helps achieve an even colour and texture. It is also essential to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the type of potato used. For example, sweet potatoes may require a different cooking time to achieve the desired crispness.
To keep the cooked fries warm and crispy before serving, place them on a wire rack in a single layer in a warm oven. Set the oven to a low temperature, approximately 200-250 degrees Fahrenheit, to maintain the fries' warmth and crispiness without burning them. This technique ensures that your fries remain delicious and appetising until serving.
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Keep warm in the oven at 200°F
To cook fries in an air fryer at 200 degrees, start by chopping your potatoes into similar sizes, about 1/4-inch thick or 1/2-inch thick. Then, toss them with olive oil and salt. You can also season the fries with spices such as garlic powder, paprika, rosemary, or thyme for added flavor. Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer with a little space between each fry. Cook the fries for 15-20 minutes, shaking or flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy.
Now, to keep these fries warm and crispy before serving, you can place them in the oven at 200°F. Ovens often include a "'keep warm' setting, which is typically between 170°F and 200°F. If your oven does not have this setting, manually set the temperature to this range. This temperature range is ideal for keeping food warm without drying it out.
If you are keeping cooked fries warm in the oven, place them in a single layer on a wire rack over a baking sheet. This setup will prevent the fries from getting soggy. You can also loosely cover them with aluminum foil to prevent further browning.
It is important to note that keeping food warm in the oven for an extended period, such as 3-4 hours, is not recommended as it can affect the texture and taste. For shorter periods, such as 15-20 minutes, the oven's "keep warm" setting or a temperature of 200°F should be sufficient.
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Frequently asked questions
Preheat your air fryer to 200 degrees Celsius (375-400 degrees Fahrenheit) and cook the fries for 15-20 minutes, shaking or flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy.
First, chop your potatoes. Aim for them to be a similar size, about 1/4-inch thick. You can peel the potatoes if you prefer a smoother texture, but leaving the skin on can add texture and flavor. Then, toss them with olive oil and salt.
Place the cooked fries on a wire rack in a single layer in a warm oven (around 200°F or 93°C) to keep them warm and maintain their crispiness until serving.
