Emilie Meyer
Air fryers are a great way to make delicious, crispy, crunchy fries with less oil than traditional deep-frying methods. They are a small countertop appliance that uses convection cooking to quickly cook food and make it crispy. To make potato fries in an air fryer, start by slicing the potatoes into fries, leaving the skin on for extra crispness. Soak the potatoes in water to remove excess starch, then pat them dry and toss them with oil and seasonings. Spread the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each fry, and air fry for 10-15 minutes, tossing halfway through. For extra crispy fries, you can double fry them by letting them cool and then frying them again.
Characteristics and Values Table for Air Fryer Potato Fries
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Potatoes, oil, salt, pepper |
| Potato Type | Russet, Yukon gold |
| Potato Skin | Optional to remove |
| Potato Cut | 1/4-1/2 inch thick, 3-4 inches in length |
| Potato Soak | In water for 10 minutes-24 hours, or overnight |
| Potato Seasoning | Salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, rosemary, lemon zest, parmesan, paprika, chili powder, dill, cayenne pepper, parsley, chives, nutritional yeast |
| Oil Type | Vegetable oil, avocado oil, olive oil, duck fat |
| Oil Amount | 2 teaspoons-2 tablespoons |
| Air Fryer Temperature | 375-425 degrees F |
| Air Fryer Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Air Fryer Technique | Single layer, with space between each fry |
| Result | Crispy, crunchy, soft, golden brown |
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What You'll Learn
Soaking potatoes in cold water
It is recommended to soak the potatoes for at least 30 minutes, but they can be soaked for longer periods, such as an hour or even up to 24 hours if needed. The potatoes should be submerged in cold water and can be placed in the refrigerator during the soaking process. This extended soaking time will not negatively impact the potatoes.
After soaking, it is important to thoroughly dry the potatoes before proceeding to the next steps of preparing and cooking them in the air fryer. This can be done by patting them with a paper towel or clean kitchen towel.
Once the potatoes are dried, they can be seasoned and tossed with oil before being placed in the air fryer. This step ensures that the potatoes will have a crispy exterior while remaining soft and fluffy on the inside.
By following these steps and properly soaking the potatoes in cold water, you will be well on your way to creating delicious and crispy potato fries in your air fryer.
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Preparing the seasoning
First, decide on the type of oil you want to use. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, canola oil, coconut oil, or any other vegetable oil. The amount of oil you use will depend on the number of potatoes you are cooking. As a general rule, use around 2 tablespoons of oil for a few large potatoes. You can also add more oil after the fries are cooked if you prefer them extra crispy.
Next, choose your seasonings. You can use classic salt and pepper, or get creative with herbs and spices. Some popular options include rosemary, garlic powder, onion powder, lemon pepper, Cajun seasoning, paprika, chili powder, and cayenne pepper. You can also try adding grated lemon zest and Parmesan cheese for a more indulgent flavor. If you want to keep it simple, just stick to salt and pepper, and maybe add some dried herbs for extra flavor.
Once you have your oil and seasonings ready, it's time to toss the cut potatoes in a bowl and coat them evenly. Make sure all surfaces of the potatoes are covered before placing them in the air fryer basket. You can also add some grated Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast after the fries are cooked for an extra cheesy kick.
Experiment with different combinations of oils and seasonings to find your perfect flavor. You can also ask family and friends for their preferred seasonings to get some inspiration.
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Cutting potatoes into fries
Some recipes suggest cutting the potato into wedges. To do this, you can follow the same process as above, but instead of cutting the potato into thin slices, you'll cut the quartered potato in half through the center pointy side to create eight wedges. You can then cut these wedges in half again to make thinner wedges.
It's important to cut the potatoes into similar sizes so they cook at the same rate. However, some people prefer not to worry too much about the size, opting for a mix of bigger and smaller fries.
You can also choose whether or not to peel your potatoes. Leaving the skin on can help the fries crisp up, but if you prefer peeled potatoes, you can soak them in water to prevent discolouration.
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Cooking in batches
To ensure your fries cook evenly and come out crispy, it's important to cook them in batches. If the air fryer basket is too crowded, your fries will be soggy. Spread the cut and seasoned potatoes in a single layer in the basket, leaving a little space between each one. The space allows the hot air to come into contact with all sides of the fries, making them golden brown and crisp. If you crowd the basket, the potatoes will steam instead of getting crispy.
The number of batches you need to cook will depend on the size of your air fryer basket and the number of potatoes you are cooking. For example, when using two russet potatoes, you may need to cook three batches of fries. If you are cooking for a larger group, you may need to cook more batches.
While cooking in batches may take a little longer, it will ensure your fries are cooked to perfection. You can keep the first batches of fries warm by placing them on a baking sheet lined with paper towels and a cooling rack over them in a warm oven (set to a maximum of 250 degrees Fahrenheit). Once you have cooked all the batches, you can toss them all together in the air fryer for one to two minutes to warm them up and make them extra crispy.
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Reheating fries
Preheat the air fryer: Start by preheating your air fryer to around 350°F to 400°F (182°C to 204°C). Preheating ensures that the fries will cook evenly and become crispy.
Arrange the fries: Place the fries in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the basket to allow proper air circulation, which helps achieve optimal crispiness. If you have a lot of fries, it might be best to reheat them in batches.
Spritz with oil: For a just-out-of-the-fryer sizzle and extra crispness, give your fries a light spritz with a neutral cooking oil.
Reheat: Cook the fries for 2 to 5 minutes, checking at the halfway mark. Shake or flip the fries halfway through to ensure even cooking and uniform crispiness.
Check for crispiness: After the recommended cooking time, check the fries. If they are not yet crispy enough, continue cooking for another minute or two. Be mindful not to overcook or burn your fries.
Serve: Once the fries are golden brown and crispy, carefully remove them from the air fryer basket and transfer them to a serving plate. Serve them hot and enjoy the crunchiness!
You can also get creative with your reheated leftover fries by using them as a base for a breakfast hash, loaded fries, frittata or quiche, or even as a thickening agent for soups or stews.
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Frequently asked questions
Russet potatoes are the best type of potato for making fries in an air fryer. They have thick skins and starchy, fluffy flesh, so they maintain their shape at high temperatures and emerge from the air fryer with crispy exteriors and soft, tender insides.
First, cut the potatoes into evenly sized pieces, about 1/4-inch thick. This will help them cook at the same rate. You can peel the potatoes, but leaving the skins on helps them crisp up nicely. For extra-crunchy fries, soak the cut potatoes in cold water for up to 24 hours, then pat them dry before cooking. Next, toss the potatoes in a bowl with oil and seasonings.
Spread the cut potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each one to allow hot air to come into contact with all sides of the fries. Cook the fries in batches to avoid overcrowding the basket, which can make the fries soggy. Depending on the thickness of the fries, they should take about 10-15 minutes to cook.
