Air-Fryer Belgian-Style French Fries: A Step-By-Step Guide

If you're craving some crispy, golden French fries but don't want the mess and grease of deep frying, then it's time to break out your air fryer! Air-fried French fries are a healthier, quicker, and easier alternative to traditional deep-fried potatoes. With just a few simple ingredients and a drizzle of olive oil, you can enjoy delicious, crispy Belgian-style fries from the comfort of your home.

To make Belgian-style French fries in an air fryer, start by cutting russet potatoes into even-sized sticks, about 1/4-inch thick. Rinse the potatoes to remove excess starch, and then pat them dry. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper, or your choice of spices like paprika, garlic powder, or Italian seasoning. Preheat your air fryer to 375-400°F and arrange the potatoes in a single layer in the basket, working in batches if needed. Air fry for 10-15 minutes, tossing halfway through, until golden and crispy. Enjoy your homemade Belgian-style French fries with your favorite dipping sauce!

Potato preparation: Wash, peel, and cut potatoes into fries

Preparing the potatoes is the first step in making Belgian-style French fries in an air fryer. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide:

Wash the potatoes: Start by giving the potatoes a good scrub under running water to remove any dirt or residue. You can use a vegetable brush or your hands to gently rub and clean the surface of the potatoes.

Peel the potatoes (optional): You can choose to peel the potatoes or leave the skin on. Peeling the potatoes will give you a smoother texture, while leaving the skin on adds flavour, texture, and nutrients to your fries. It's a matter of personal preference.

Cut the potatoes into fries: After washing and/or peeling, cut the potatoes into even-sized fries. Aim for a thickness of about 1/4-inch for each fry, and cut them into sticks that are around 3 to 4 inches in length. You can use a sharp knife or a mandoline for easy and uniform cutting. Try to keep the size consistent so that they cook evenly.

Rinse and dry the potatoes: Once you've cut the potatoes, give them a quick rinse in cold water to remove excess starch. This step is important to ensure crispy fries. You can also soak the cut potatoes in cold water for up to 15 minutes or even overnight in the fridge for extra-crunchy fries. After rinsing or soaking, make sure to pat the potatoes dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Remove as much moisture as possible to ensure crispy exteriors.

Soak potatoes: Submerge in cold water to remove excess starch

Soaking potatoes in cold water is a crucial step in the process of making French fries in an air fryer. This technique helps to remove excess starch from the potatoes, which is known as "de-starching". By submerging the potatoes in cold water, the starch that is present in the potatoes dissolves into the water, allowing the potatoes to release some of their starch content. This step is essential because it helps the potatoes achieve the desired crispiness when cooked in the air fryer.

The recommended soaking time for potatoes intended for air frying is at least one hour, with some sources suggesting a maximum soaking time of 24 hours. During this time, the potatoes can be left at room temperature or stored in the refrigerator, depending on the recipe and personal preference. It is important to note that the potatoes should be soaked whole and uncut to prevent them from absorbing too much water, which could affect their texture.

After the soaking process, it is crucial to thoroughly pat the potatoes dry with paper towels or a clean dish towel. This step ensures that there is no residual moisture on the potatoes, as wet potatoes will not crisp up properly in the air fryer.

Once the potatoes are dry, they are ready to be cut into fries of the desired size. It is recommended to aim for a uniform size, usually about 1/4-inch thick, to ensure even cooking. Leaving the skin on the potatoes is also an option, as it adds texture and flavour to the fries, but it is a matter of personal preference.

By following these steps and properly soaking the potatoes, you will be well on your way to creating delicious, crispy Belgian-style French fries in your air fryer.

Seasoning: Toss fries in a bowl with oil, salt, and pepper

Preparing the seasoning for your Belgian-style French fries is a straightforward process. All you need is a bowl, some oil, salt, and pepper. Here's a detailed, step-by-step guide:

• Prepare the Bowl: Start by grabbing a bowl that is large enough to accommodate the desired amount of fries you wish to prepare. It is important that the bowl is dry and clean before you begin.
• Add the Oil: Once you have your bowl ready, it's time to add the oil. You can use a variety of oils, such as olive oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil. Drizzle or pour a suitable amount of oil into the bowl. The amount of oil you use will depend on the quantity of fries you are making and your desired level of crispiness. A light coating of oil is usually sufficient, as air frying requires less oil than traditional deep frying.
• Toss the Fries in Oil: Place the cut potatoes into the bowl with the oil. Using your hands or a utensil, gently toss and mix the potatoes until they are evenly coated with oil. Ensure that all surfaces of the potatoes are lightly coated.
• Add Salt and Pepper: Now it's time to season your fries! Sprinkle salt and pepper over the oiled potatoes. You can adjust the amount of salt and pepper to your taste preferences. If you prefer a lighter seasoning, start with a smaller amount and taste as you go. You can always add more later if needed.
• Toss Again: After adding the salt and pepper, it's time to toss the fries again. Mix the potatoes gently with a utensil or your hands to ensure that the seasoning is evenly distributed. Make sure all the fries are well-coated with the oil, salt, and pepper.
• Adjust Seasoning (Optional): Once you have tossed the fries with the seasoning, you can taste a fry to check if the seasoning level suits your preference. If needed, you can add more salt and pepper and toss again. This step is optional but can help you achieve your desired level of seasoning.
• Prepare for Air Frying: With your fries seasoned and ready, it's now time to proceed with the air frying process. Follow the instructions provided by your specific air fryer model for the best results. Remember to cook the fries in batches to ensure even cooking and crispiness.

By following these steps, you will have delicious, evenly seasoned Belgian-style French fries cooked to perfection in your air fryer!

Air frying: Cook in batches, in a single layer, for 12-15 minutes

To make Belgian-style French fries in an air fryer, it's important to cook them in batches and in a single layer to ensure even cooking and maximum crispiness. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Preheat your air fryer to 380°F.
• Cut your potatoes into fries of uniform size, about 1/4-inch thick. This ensures they cook evenly.
• Rinse the cut potatoes in cold water to remove excess starch. This step is crucial for achieving that golden, crunchy exterior. You can also soak them in cold water for an hour or even overnight for extra crispiness.
• Pat the potatoes dry with a paper towel or clean kitchen towel. This step is important to remove moisture, ensuring crispy exteriors.
• Toss the potatoes with a light drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle with salt and any desired seasonings. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, or Italian seasoning.
• Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to cook in batches.
• Air fry at 380°F for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.
• Once they're golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and season with additional salt if desired.
• If you're cooking in batches, keep the first batch warm in the oven at a low temperature (around 200-250°F) while cooking the rest.
• When all batches are done, toss them all back into the air fryer together for 1-2 minutes to warm up and crisp up any that might have cooled down.
• Serve your Belgian-style French fries with your favorite dipping sauces!

Enjoy your delicious, crispy, and healthy Belgian-style French fries!

Reheating: Put all batches back in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes

Once you've cooked all your batches of fries, it's time to reheat them all together so they're nice and hot and crispy. Place all the fries back into the air fryer basket—you don't need to worry about arranging them in a single layer this time. Air fry them for 1 to 2 minutes to warm them up and re-crisp them. Then, take them out and they're ready to be devoured!

If you're reheating refrigerated or frozen fries, bring them to room temperature first. Reheat them in the air fryer at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes or until they're at your desired texture and temperature.

Frequently asked questions