Air-Fryer American Fries: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Making American-style fries in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to satisfy your cravings for crispy, crunchy, and delicious fries without the mess and grease of classic fried ones. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can enjoy healthy and tasty fries in under 30 minutes.

To make American fries in an air fryer, start by scrubbing and cutting your potatoes into even-sized sticks, about 1/4-inch thick. You can peel the potatoes if you prefer, but leaving the skin on adds more flavour and a great crispy texture. Rinse the cut potatoes in cold water and then pat them dry.

Next, toss the potatoes with a light drizzle of oil and your desired seasonings. You can use olive oil or another vegetable oil, and season with salt and pepper, or get creative with spices like smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, or garlic powder.

Now it's time to air fry! Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they're not overcrowded. Cook at 375-390 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes, tossing them halfway through. For extra crispy fries, cook in batches and work in a single layer.

Finally, toss the fries together and serve with your favourite dipping sauce. Enjoy your delicious, crispy, and healthy American fries!

Choosing the right potato

Types of Potatoes

The most commonly used potatoes for air fryer fries are Russet potatoes (also known as Idaho potatoes) and Yukon Gold potatoes.

• Russet Potatoes: These potatoes are known for their starchiness and will give you fries that are crispy on the outside and drier on the inside. This variety is the closest you'll get to the classic restaurant-style fry.
• Yukon Gold Potatoes: These potatoes have a waxier texture and will result in fries that are equally crispy on the outside but have a firmer, creamier inside. Yukon golds have a naturally buttery taste, giving your fries a richer flavor.

While both types of potatoes work well, you may want to experiment with both to see which one you prefer.

Other Varieties

Other types of potatoes can also be used for air fryer fries, although they may yield slightly different results:

• Red Potatoes: These will turn a darker golden brown when roasted due to their higher sugar and lower starch content. They will be crispy initially but will soften quickly. The insides will be creamy and soft.
• Baby Potatoes or New Potatoes: These are regular potatoes harvested early and have a high sugar content. They roast well in the air fryer and hold their shape. However, they can be harder to find in grocery stores as they are somewhat seasonal.

Tips for Selecting Potatoes

When choosing your potatoes, keep the following in mind:

• Look for potatoes that are uniform in size and free from eyes, blemishes, or green/black spots.
• For air fryer fries, it is generally recommended to use potatoes that are similar in size to ensure even cooking.
• Leave the skins on for extra crispiness, more flavor, added nutrients, and a time-saving benefit! Just be sure to wash them thoroughly before cooking.

Now that you've chosen the right potato, you're ready to start making your delicious American fries in the air fryer!

Preparing the potatoes

Ingredients

You will need 2-3 large russet potatoes, 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste. You can also add other seasonings, such as onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, chili powder, or Parmesan cheese.

Equipment

You will need a mandoline or a sharp knife, a large bowl, paper towels or a clean kitchen towel, and an air fryer.

Method

Step 1: Slice the potatoes

Using a mandoline or a sharp knife, slice the potatoes into fries. Don't worry too much about making the fries the same size, but try to keep them around 1/4- to 1/2-inch thick.

Step 2: Soak the potatoes

Place the sliced potatoes in a large bowl of cold water and let them soak for at least one hour, or up to 24 hours in the fridge. This helps to remove excess starch and will make the fries crisp up more in the air fryer.

Step 3: Preheat the air fryer

Preheat your air fryer to between 375-400°F (190-200°C).

Step 4: Dry and season the potatoes

After soaking, drain the water and pat the potatoes dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Then, in a medium-sized bowl, toss the potatoes with the olive oil, and any desired seasonings. Make sure all surfaces of the potatoes are evenly coated.

Step 5: Air fry the potatoes

Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Cook for 10-20 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy, tossing or flipping the fries halfway through.

Step 6: Rest and serve

If you are cooking the potatoes in batches, 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 crispy until ready to serve. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce!

Seasoning the potatoes

The seasoning is a key step in making delicious American fries in an air fryer. Here are some detailed instructions and tips for seasoning your potatoes like a pro:

Choose your seasonings

You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or get creative with other seasonings. Some popular options include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, Parmesan cheese, and cajun seasoning. Feel free to experiment and mix different seasonings to find your favourite combination.

Prepare the potatoes

Start by scrubbing and cleaning your potatoes. You can peel them if you prefer, but leaving the skin on adds more flavour, texture, and nutrients. Cut the potatoes into even-sized sticks, about 1/4-inch thick. Rinse the cut potatoes in cold water to remove excess starch, which will help them crisp up. You can also soak them in cold water for an hour or up to 24 hours for extra crispy fries. Make sure to dry the potatoes thoroughly after rinsing or soaking.

Toss with oil and seasonings

Place the cut and dried potatoes in a large bowl. Drizzle them with olive oil or another vegetable oil of your choice. Toss the potatoes to coat them evenly with oil. Then, sprinkle your chosen seasonings over the potatoes and toss again to ensure they are well coated. You can also add grated lemon zest or Parmesan cheese for extra flavour.

Don't salt too early

It's important to season the potatoes just before air frying them. Adding salt too early will draw moisture out of the potatoes, making them less crispy when cooked.

Work in batches

To ensure even cooking and crispiness, place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, working in batches if needed. Crowding the basket will cause the potatoes to steam instead of crisp up.

Reheat in the air fryer

If you are cooking the potatoes in batches, you can reheat them all together in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes before serving to ensure they are all hot and crispy.

Cooking the fries

Prep

Using a mandoline, sharp knife, or fry cutter, slice the potatoes into fries. Try to make the fries about 1/4-inch thick, but don't worry too much about making them all exactly the same size. Leaving the skin on is preferable, as it adds texture and flavour, but you can peel them if you prefer.

Soak

Place the cut potatoes in a bowl of cold water for at least an hour, or up to 24 hours. This will help to remove excess starch and will make the fries crisp up more when cooking.

Preheat

Preheat your air fryer to between 375 and 390°F.

Dry and Season

Remove the potatoes from the water and lay them out on a paper towel or clean kitchen towel to dry. Then, transfer them to a medium bowl and toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like Italian seasoning, paprika, or garlic powder.

Air Fry

Place the fries into the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not touching each other. You may need to work in batches to avoid overcrowding the basket. Cook for 10 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown, tossing halfway through.

Reheat

If you are cooking the fries in batches, add all the cooked fries back into the air fryer for 1 to 2 minutes at the end to reheat and re-crisp any that got cold.

Serve

Serve the fries hot, with your favourite dipping sauce.

Reheating the fries

If you have any leftover fries, you can store them in a sealed, airtight container or bag. They'll keep in the fridge for up to 5 days and in the freezer for up to 2 months.

To reheat, bring refrigerated or frozen fries close to room temperature. Then, pop them in the air fryer or oven at 425°F for about 5 minutes, or until they're the desired texture and temperature.

And there you have it—your fries are as good as new!

Frequently asked questions