Bojangles' Fries: Air Fryer Style

Air fryers are a great way to make French fries that are crispy and crunchy, without the mess and grease of traditional frying. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can make delicious, healthier fries at home. This guide will teach you how to make Bojangles-style French fries in an air fryer, so you can enjoy the taste of your favourite restaurant fries right in the comfort of your own home!

Choosing the right potatoes

When it comes to choosing the right potatoes for your air fryer, there are a few factors to consider. Firstly, look for potatoes that are uniform in size and free from any eyes or blemishes. This will ensure even cooking and the best texture for your fries.

The type of potato you choose will also impact the final result. Russet potatoes, also known as Idaho potatoes, are a popular choice due to their high starch content, which ensures a crispy texture. Alternatively, Yukon Gold potatoes, baby potatoes, or new potatoes are also great options for air frying. These varieties have a lower starch and higher sugar content, resulting in a deeper golden color and a slightly softer crisp. If you're looking for a darker golden brown color, red potatoes are a perfect choice due to their even higher sugar and lower starch content.

Keep in mind that baby potatoes or new potatoes are not a specific variety but rather regular potatoes that have been harvested early. They have thinner skins, making them ideal for crisping, and are usually a favorite for air fryer fries.

When preparing your potatoes, it is recommended to leave the skins on. The skins provide more flavor, a great crispy texture, and added fiber and nutrients. They also save time during the preparation process. However, if you prefer peeled potatoes, you can certainly peel them before cutting and air frying.

In summary, the key to choosing the right potatoes for your air fryer is to select uniform, good-quality potatoes with the desired variety based on your preferred texture and color. With the right choice of potatoes, you'll be well on your way to making delicious and crispy air fryer fries.

Soaking the potatoes

To soak your potatoes, start by cutting them into your desired fry shape and size. It is recommended to cut them into even-sized pieces, usually about 1/4-inch thick, to ensure uniform cooking. Once cut, place the potatoes in a bowl or container and completely submerge them in cold water. Let the potatoes soak for at least 30 minutes, but you can also leave them in the refrigerator to soak overnight for maximum starch removal.

After soaking, thoroughly drain the potatoes and pat them dry with a paper towel or a clean dish towel. This step is crucial, as any residual moisture will lead to soggy fries. Make sure to remove as much moisture as possible before proceeding to the next step of coating them with oil and seasonings.

By taking the time to properly soak and dry your potatoes, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious, crispy air fryer fries that rival those made in a deep fryer!

Preheating the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an essential step in making sure your fries cook evenly and turn out perfectly crispy. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to preheat your air fryer for making Bojangles-style French fries.

First, set the temperature of your air fryer. For French fries, the ideal temperature is around 400°F (200°C). This temperature will ensure that your fries cook through and attain a uniform crispiness.

Next, let the air fryer preheat for a few minutes. Preheating helps create a hot and consistent cooking environment, which is crucial for achieving the desired crispiness. Depending on the model of your air fryer, the preheating time may vary. However, as a general guideline, allow it to preheat for at least 3 to 5 minutes.

While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your potatoes by slicing them into fries of roughly equal size. This step is important because evenly sized fries will cook more uniformly, resulting in a batch of fries that are all crispy and golden brown. Aim for a thickness of about 1/4-inch for your fries.

Once your potatoes are cut and the air fryer is preheated, you can proceed to the next steps of coating your fries with oil and seasoning, and then arranging them in the air fryer basket. Remember not to overcrowd the basket, as proper air circulation is essential for even cooking and crispiness.

Seasoning the potatoes

Choosing the Right Potatoes:

Start by selecting the right type of potatoes. Russet or Idaho potatoes are ideal due to their high starch content, which ensures a crispy texture. You can also use Yukon Gold potatoes if you prefer a creamier center.

Preparing the Potatoes:

Wash and peel the potatoes if desired. It's not necessary to peel them, as the skin can add flavor and texture to your fries. Cut the potatoes into even-sized fries, about 1/4-inch thick. This ensures uniform cooking, resulting in a perfect batch of crispy fries.

Soaking the Potatoes:

To achieve that extra crispiness, soak the cut potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes or even overnight in the refrigerator. Soaking helps remove excess starch, resulting in lighter and fluffier fries. After soaking, thoroughly drain the potatoes and pat them dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture before seasoning and cooking.

Now, it's time to season your potatoes! Drizzle them with olive oil or another oil of your choice, such as vegetable oil or canola oil. Toss the potatoes to ensure they are evenly coated with oil.

Next, add your desired seasonings. You can keep it classic with salt and pepper, or get creative with spices like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, or even parmesan cheese. Toss the potatoes again to ensure an even coating of seasonings.

Timing is Everything:

It's important to season the potatoes just before placing them in the air fryer. If you add salt too early, it will draw out moisture from the potatoes, resulting in less crispy fries.

Cooking the Fries:

After seasoning, spread the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they have enough space to crisp up. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the fries in multiple batches.

Cook the fries at a temperature of around 380°F for 10-15 minutes, tossing them halfway through. Keep an eye on them to prevent overcooking. Your fries are ready when they turn golden brown and crispy.

Final Touches:

Once your fries are cooked, give them a final toss in a bowl with your favorite seasonings to evenly distribute the flavors. You can also add some fresh herbs like parsley for garnish.

Now, you've created delicious, crispy Bojangles-style fries in your air fryer! Enjoy them as a snack or a side dish with your favorite dipping sauces.

Cooking the fries

Now that you've gathered your ingredients, it's time to cook your fries. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Prep the Potatoes

Scrub and clean the potatoes. You can peel them if you prefer, but leaving the skin on adds more flavour and a great crispy texture. Cut the potatoes into even-sized fries, about 1/4-inch thick. This ensures that they cook uniformly. Rinse the cut potatoes in cold water, and then pat them dry with a paper towel.

Season the Potatoes

Add the fries to a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Toss to coat the fries evenly. Then, sprinkle your desired seasonings over the fries. You can use salt and pepper, or get creative with spices like paprika, garlic powder, Cajun seasoning, or even parmesan cheese. Toss the fries again to ensure they are evenly coated with oil and seasonings.

Air Fry the Potatoes

Place the seasoned fries into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overcrowded. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches. Set the air fryer to 380°F and cook the fries for 10-15 minutes, tossing them halfway through. The fries are ready when they are golden brown and crispy.

Reheat and Serve

If you are cooking in batches, place the cooked fries on a baking sheet lined with paper towels and a cooling rack. Keep them in a warm oven (around 200-250°F) to stay warm and crispy while you cook the remaining batches. Once all batches are done, toss them all back into the air fryer for 1-2 minutes to warm and crisp up together. Serve your hot, crispy fries with your favourite dipping sauce!

Frequently asked questions