Air Fryer Chopped Fries: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious

Air fryers are a great way to make French fries that are crispy and crunchy, without the mess and grease of classic deep-fried ones. They are healthier, use less oil, and are convenient to make. To make chopped fries in an air fryer, start by cutting your potatoes into even-sized fries, leaving the skin on for added texture and flavour. Then, soak the potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes to remove excess starch and ensure crispiness. After drying the potatoes, toss them with olive oil and seasonings such as salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Preheat your air fryer to around 400°F (200°C) and spread the fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Cook for 15-20 minutes, tossing halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.

Choosing the right potatoes

Types of Potatoes

The most recommended type of potato for air fryer fries is the Russet potato. Russets have a rich, buttery taste and their starch content helps them puff and crisp up beautifully in the air fryer. They also provide the classic, familiar potato flavour that many people love. If you can't find Russets, Yukon Gold potatoes are a good alternative. They will give you a creamier centre, but still crisp up nicely. Some people also use red potatoes, but these tend to be a bit waxy and may not give you the same level of crispness.

Potato Size

When it comes to size, look for longer potatoes. The longer the potato, the longer your fries will be, and the more satisfying they'll be to dip! Smaller, rounder potatoes will result in stubby fries that may not give you the desired texture or dipping capability.

Potato Skins

Leaving the potato skins on is a matter of personal preference. However, there are some benefits to keeping the skins on. Skins add flavour, texture, fibre, and nutrients to your fries. They can also save you some prep time! If you do decide to keep the skins on, be sure to wash the potatoes well and scrub off any excess dirt.

Potato Preparation

Once you've selected the perfect potatoes, it's time to prepare them for the air fryer. Cut your potatoes into fries of roughly the same size, about 1/4-inch thick. This will ensure even cooking. You can use a mandoline for extra precision and ease, or cut them by hand. If you're leaving the skins on, give the potatoes a good scrub. Then, rinse the cut potatoes in cold water and pat them dry.

Potato Soaking

Some recipes recommend soaking your cut potatoes in cold water for at least an hour, or even up to 24 hours. Soaking helps remove excess starch, which will give you crispier fries. However, other recipes skip this step, so it's up to you whether you want to include it or not. If you do soak your potatoes, be sure to dry them thoroughly before adding oil and seasoning.

Now that you've chosen the right potatoes and prepared them, you're ready to move on to the next steps of making delicious air fryer fries!

Soaking the potatoes

When you soak the potatoes in cold water, it helps to remove excess starch. This, in turn, will allow the potatoes to crisp up more effectively during the cooking process. Soaking is a key step in achieving that coveted French fry crispiness and preventing the fries from sticking together.

You can soak the potatoes for a minimum of 30 minutes or up to 24 hours. If you decide to soak them for an extended period, it is recommended to place them in the refrigerator. The longer soaking time won't cause any harm and will still yield delicious results.

Preparing the Potatoes for Soaking

Before you begin the soaking process, make sure you have cleaned and cut the potatoes into your desired fry shape. It is recommended to cut them into even-sized pieces, usually about 1/4-inch thick, to ensure uniform cooking. Rinse the cut potatoes under cold water to remove any excess starch on the surface.

Now, completely submerge the cut potatoes in a bowl of cold water. Place the bowl in the refrigerator if you plan to soak them for an extended period. The soaking process will help draw out the starch, making the potatoes lighter and fluffier on the inside and crunchier on the outside.

Drying the Potatoes

Once the soaking time is complete, remove the potatoes from the water and pat them dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. It is crucial to ensure that the potatoes are thoroughly dried before proceeding to the next step. Any residual moisture can lead to soggy fries, so take the time to dry them well.

Preheating the air fryer

Different air fryer models may have different preheating requirements, so it is important to refer to your air fryer's instructions manual. For example, the Phillips Viva Air Fryer model advises preheating the appliance for 10 to 15 minutes.

Once the air fryer is preheated, you can proceed with lightly coating the fries with oil and seasoning them with your desired spices before placing them in the air fryer basket.

Seasoning the potatoes

The seasoning is a key step in making delicious air fryer fries. It's important to season the potatoes just before air frying them, as adding salt too early can draw moisture out of the potatoes and affect their crispness. Here are some detailed instructions and tips for seasoning your potatoes:

Choose your seasonings

The beauty of making fries at home is that you can customise the seasonings to your liking. You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or experiment with various herbs and spices. Some popular options include garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, Italian seasoning, Cajun seasoning, and Parmesan cheese. You can also try herbs like rosemary or thyme. Be creative and let your imagination run wild!

Prepare the potatoes

Wash and scrub the potatoes, especially if you plan to keep the skin on. You can peel the potatoes if you prefer, but leaving the skin on has several benefits. It adds texture and flavour, provides extra crispness, and saves you time. Cut the potatoes into even-sized fries, typically about 1/4-inch thick. This ensures uniform cooking, resulting in a perfect batch of crispy fries.

Drizzle with oil

After cutting the potatoes, drizzle them with a couple of tablespoons of olive oil or another oil of your choice. You can use a good quality olive oil or experiment with flavoured oils like garlic oil or chile oil. This step helps the seasonings stick to the potatoes and promotes even browning during cooking.

Toss with seasonings

Now it's time to add your chosen seasonings! Toss the potatoes gently to ensure they are evenly coated with the oil and seasonings. Be generous with the seasonings, as this will enhance the flavour of your fries. You can also add a light dusting of cornstarch for an extra crispy coating.

Don't overcrowd the air fryer

When placing the seasoned potatoes into the air fryer basket, make sure they are in a single layer and not touching or overlapping. This allows proper air circulation and ensures that the hot air comes into contact with all sides of the fries, resulting in even cooking and crispness. Depending on the capacity of your air fryer, you may need to cook the fries in multiple batches.

Cooking the fries

Now that you've got your chopped potatoes ready, it's time to cook them in the air fryer. Here's a detailed guide to help you achieve the perfect crispy fries:

• Preheat your air fryer: Set your air fryer to the desired temperature, usually between 375-400°F (190-200°C). Preheating ensures a consistent cooking environment, resulting in evenly cooked fries.
• Dry and season the potatoes: Remove the potatoes from the water (if soaked) and pat them dry with a paper towel or clean kitchen towel. Place them in a bowl and toss with the chosen oil (olive oil, canola oil, vegetable oil, etc.), ensuring a light coating. Then, add your choice of seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, or Italian seasoning. Toss gently to coat the fries evenly.
• Arrange the fries in the air fryer basket: It's important not to overcrowd the basket. Place the fries in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap or touch each other. This allows hot air to circulate around each fry, resulting in even cooking and crispiness. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.
• Air fry the potatoes: Place the basket in the air fryer and set the timer. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your fries and your desired level of crispness, but a good guideline is to cook for 12-20 minutes. Keep an eye on them to prevent overcooking, and don't forget to shake or flip them halfway through for even browning.
• Toss and continue cooking: Once the initial cooking time is up, remove the basket and give the fries a good toss or shake to redistribute them. Return the basket to the air fryer and cook for an additional 6-12 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of crispness and golden brown colour.
• Remove, serve, and enjoy: Take the fries out of the air fryer when they're crispy and golden. Let them cool for a few minutes, as they will continue to crisp up slightly. Serve them with your favourite dipping sauces, such as ketchup, fry sauce, ranch, or garlic aioli.

Remember, the exact cooking time and temperature may vary depending on your air fryer model and the thickness of your fries, so keep an eye on them during the cooking process to avoid overcooking. Enjoy your delicious, crispy, and healthy air-fried chopped fries!

Frequently asked questions