Air Fryer Cheesy Fries: Quick, Crispy, Cheesy Delight

Air fryers are a great way to make delicious, crispy, and crunchy French fries with minimal oil. They are a healthier alternative to deep-fried French fries and can be made in under 30 minutes. The key to getting crispy French fries is to cut them into even slices, preferably 1/4-inch thick, and to soak the potatoes in cold water before cooking to remove excess starch. You can also experiment with different types of potatoes and spices to find your perfect combination. Once you have cut and seasoned your potatoes, simply place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook at 380-400 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through. For cheesy fries, add a layer of grated cheese on top of the fries and air fry for an additional 3 minutes.

Choosing the right potatoes

The type of potatoes you use for your cheesy fries can make or break the dish. The right potatoes will give you that perfect crispiness on the outside and fluffiness on the inside. So, which potatoes are best for air frying?

Russet Potatoes

Russet potatoes are a popular choice for air fryer fries. They have a fluffy texture and will give you that classic fry taste and texture. They crisp up wonderfully, with a pale golden colour, and their insides remain soft and fluffy. If you're looking for that traditional fry experience, russets are the way to go.

Yukon Gold or Yellow Potatoes

Yukon gold or yellow potatoes are also excellent options for air fryer cheesy fries. They will crisp up perfectly and turn a deeper golden brown due to their lower starch and higher sugar content. The crisp will be slightly softer than russets, but the insides will be deliciously creamy and full of flavour. Yukon golds are a favourite for those who want a balance of crispiness and creaminess.

Red Potatoes

If you're looking for a darker golden brown fry, red potatoes are a great choice. When roasted, they will develop an even darker golden brown colour due to their higher sugar and lower starch content. They will be crispy coming out of the air fryer but will soften quickly. The insides will be creamy and soft, making them a unique and tasty choice.

Baby or New Potatoes

Baby or new potatoes are regular potatoes that have been harvested early. They have a high sugar content and roast perfectly in the air fryer, making them a great option if you can find them. They can be harder to source and are somewhat seasonal, but they are worth the effort if you want a unique and tasty fry.

Experiment with Different Varieties

Don't be afraid to experiment with different types of potatoes to find your perfect cheesy fry. Each variety has unique properties, so you can try out a few and see which one suits your taste buds and texture preferences the best. Remember, the key to great air fryer fries is that crispy exterior and fluffy interior, so look for potatoes that will give you that magical combination.

Preparing the potatoes

Selecting the Right Potatoes:

Start by choosing the right type of potatoes. Russet potatoes are highly recommended for air fryer fries due to their ability to achieve the desired fluffy and soft interior while maintaining a crispy exterior. Yukon gold potatoes are another good option, but Russets are superior for frying. Look for longer potatoes, as they will give you more classic fry-shaped wedges.

Cutting the Potatoes:

Cut the potatoes into wedges or strips, aiming for a uniform size. The recommended thickness varies from 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch thick. The thinner the wedges, the quicker they will cook, so adjust your timing accordingly. If you're a fan of the texture, leave the potato skins on; they add a nice texture, and you get to keep some extra vitamins.

Pre-Soaking (Optional but Recommended):

Traditional deep-fried French fries benefit from a pre-soak in cold water, and the same technique can be applied to air fryer fries. Soaking the potatoes helps achieve the coveted crispiness and prevents them from sticking together. You can soak them for as little as an hour or up to 24 hours. Just make sure to pat them completely dry before proceeding to the next step.

Seasoning the Potatoes:

In a medium-sized bowl, toss the cut potatoes with olive oil, Italian seasoning, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. You can also experiment with other spices like black pepper, smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, ranch seasoning, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, or rosemary.

Air Frying the Potatoes:

Preheat your air fryer to 380-390°F. Place the seasoned potatoes into the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving some space between each wedge to allow for even cooking. Depending on your air fryer model, you may need to cook the potatoes in batches. Air fry for 12-20 minutes, tossing or flipping them halfway through to ensure even cooking. Keep an eye on them, as the timing may vary, and you don't want them to get too brown or crispy.

Now that you have perfectly cooked potatoes, you're ready to add the cheese and any other desired toppings to create your ultimate cheesy fries!

Adding seasoning

One way to season your fries is to toss them with olive oil and your desired seasonings before placing them in the air fryer. This method ensures that the seasonings are evenly distributed and allows the olive oil to help crisp up the potatoes. You can use a variety of seasonings such as Italian seasoning, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. You can also get creative and experiment with different spices like smoked paprika, chilli powder, cumin, ranch seasoning, Cajun seasoning, or rosemary.

Another way to season your fries is to sprinkle the seasonings on top of the fries after they have finished cooking. This method is best for seasonings that may burn or lose their potency if cooked for too long, such as fresh herbs. You can also add additional seasonings after cooking to enhance the flavour of your fries. For example, you can toss the cooked fries with additional rosemary, salt, and pepper, or serve them with fresh herbs, chilli powder, garlic powder, or onion powder.

Additionally, you can season the cheese before adding it to your fries. This ensures that the cheese distribution is trapped throughout, and every bite is flavourful. You can use a variety of cheeses, such as cheddar or mozzarella, and add seasonings like table salt, black pepper, herbs, paprika, garlic, and cumin.

Remember, the key to successful seasoning is to be creative and adjust to your taste preferences. You can always add more seasoning, but it's difficult to remove it if you've added too much, so start with a smaller amount and taste as you go.

Air frying the potatoes

Air-Frying the Potatoes

Ingredients

• 2 medium-sized russet potatoes
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Method

• Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Slice the potatoes into 1/4-inch strips. If you want to get fancy, you can use a fry cutter.
• Rinse the potato slices in cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel.
• In a medium-sized bowl, toss the potatoes with olive oil, Italian seasoning, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
• Place the fries into the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.
• Air fry at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Flip the fries halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.
• If you are cooking in batches, repeat steps 5 and 6 until all potatoes are cooked.
• Once all batches are cooked, place all the fries back into the air fryer together (you don't need to worry about a single layer this time). Air fry for an additional 1 to 2 minutes to warm and re-crisp any fries that cooled down.
• Serve immediately with your desired toppings and dips!

Tips:

• For the best results, cut the potatoes into evenly sized strips to ensure consistent cooking.
• If you want extra crispy fries, consider pre-soaking the potatoes in cold water for at least an hour or up to 24 hours. This helps remove some of the starch and promotes crispiness. Just make sure to pat them dry completely before adding any seasonings or oil.
• Work in small batches to ensure proper air circulation in the air fryer.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave a little space between each fry to allow the hot air to circulate and create that golden brown crispiness.
• If you're cooking frozen fries, there's no need to defrost them first. Cook them straight from frozen at a high temperature (around 200 degrees Celsius or 390 degrees Fahrenheit) for 12 minutes, shaking the basket at least once during cooking.
• Get creative with your toppings! Try cheddar, mozzarella, blue cheese sauce, garlic mayonnaise, buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, sour cream, guacamole, or even brown sugar BBQ sauce.

Adding cheese

The fun part! There are a few ways to add cheese to your fries, depending on the type of cheese you're using.

If you're using a hard cheese like cheddar, it's best to grate it yourself to avoid caking agents that can impact melting. You can then add a layer of grated cheese to the top of your fries and air fry for another 3 minutes at 200C/390F. This should be enough to melt the cheese.

If you're using a soft cheese like mozzarella, you can cut it into fry-shaped pieces, brush with oil, and sprinkle with garlic salt. Air fry these at 350F for 10 minutes, turning halfway through.

If you're feeling extra indulgent, you can also use nacho cheese sauce or a squeezy bottled cheese sauce, which you can usually find in most supermarkets. Simply drizzle this over your fries and enjoy!

For the perfect cheesy fries, it's important to note that you'll likely need to work in batches. This is because the cheese needs space to melt evenly and not overcrowd the air fryer.

Frequently asked questions