Air Fryer Cottage Fries: The Perfect Crispy Treat

Air fryer cottage fries are a healthier alternative to traditional deep-fried potatoes. They are circular potato slices that are baked or fried to a perfect tender and crunchy texture. The best potatoes to use are russet potatoes, but Yukon gold and Idaho potatoes are great alternatives. The potatoes are cut into slices about a quarter-inch thick and then seasoned with ingredients like salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and rosemary. They are then placed in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cooked at around 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes, depending on the desired level of crispiness. Soaking the potatoes in cold water before cooking is optional but can help remove excess starch and ensure even browning. Air fryer cottage fries can be served plain or with various dips and sauces, making them a delicious and versatile side dish.

Choosing the right potatoes

Starch Content:

The starch content in potatoes can vary, and this will impact the final texture of your cottage fries. High-starch potatoes, like russets, have a light and mealy texture, making them ideal for baking, mashing, and french-frying. They will give you crispy fries with a fluffy interior. On the other hand, low-starch potatoes, also known as waxy potatoes, hold their shape better and are more suitable for dishes like potato salads.

Moisture Content:

The moisture content of potatoes is another key factor. You don't want your potatoes to be too wet, as they will have a soggy texture after frying. Conversely, potatoes that are too dry will turn out hard and crunchy. Look for a variety that strikes a balance between moisture and dryness.

Variety:

When it comes to cottage fries, russet potatoes are often recommended due to their higher starch content and lower moisture. They hold their shape well and will give you crispy results. White potatoes, with their thinner and lighter-colored skin, are also an option, especially if you want creamy yet textured potatoes for your cottage fries. Red potatoes are visually appealing and hold their shape well when boiled and sliced, making them a good choice for dishes like potato salads.

Size:

Consider the size of the potatoes you need for your cottage fries. For uniform slices, look for potatoes that are similar in size. If you want thicker slices or wedges, opt for larger potatoes. For smaller, bite-sized cottage fries, choose smaller potatoes.

Skin:

Whether or not to peel the potatoes is a matter of personal preference. Leaving the skin on adds texture and flavour to your cottage fries, especially if you're using varieties like russet or Yukon gold. However, if you prefer a smoother texture or want to showcase the shape of your circular cottage fries, you can opt to peel the potatoes before slicing.

Preparing the potatoes

Selecting the potatoes

Start by selecting the right potatoes for your cottage fries. Russet potatoes are the best option as they are starchy and will give you crispy yet fluffy potatoes. However, Yukon gold, Maris piper, and Idaho potatoes are great alternatives. If you don't have any of these, you can use red or yellow potatoes, but they will take longer to cook and won't crisp up as much.

Cleaning and cutting the potatoes

Give the potatoes a good scrub and rinse to clean them. You can peel the potatoes if you prefer, but it's not necessary. In fact, leaving the skin on helps the potatoes crisp up nicely.

Use a mandolin or a sharp knife to cut the potatoes into slices about 1/4-inch thick. If you cut them any thinner, they may turn into potato chips. You can also cut the potatoes into wedges if you prefer. Place the sliced potatoes in a bowl of cold water to remove excess starch and prevent browning while you prepare the rest.

Seasoning the potatoes

Drain the water from the potatoes and pat them dry with a paper towel or tea towel. Blotting the potatoes dry is important to ensure they don't steam in the air fryer.

Add your desired seasonings to the potatoes. You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or try a seasoning salt or a homemade dry rub. You can also add some olive oil, avocado oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil to help the potatoes crisp up. Just be sure to use pure oil rather than a non-stick cooking spray.

Cooking the potatoes

Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap. Overcrowding the basket will cause the potatoes to steam instead of crisp up. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the potatoes in batches.

Air fry the potatoes at 400°F/200°C for 15-18 minutes, or until they are fully cooked and fork-tender with crispy edges. Shake the basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure the potatoes cook evenly.

If you like your potatoes extra crispy, leave them in the air fryer for a few minutes longer. Remember that every air fryer is different, so you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Seasoning the potatoes

The seasoning you use for your cottage fries is important, as it will give them extra flavour and make them even more delicious. The best home fries let the flavour of the potato shine through, so you don't need to use a lot of seasoning.

Salt and pepper

A little salt and pepper is all you need to season your cottage fries. You can also use seasoning salt, which is a great way to flavour them.

Garlic powder

Garlic powder is a great way to add a little extra something to your cottage fries. It's a simple way to elevate the flavour without overpowering the taste of the potato.

Olive oil

Although not strictly a seasoning, olive oil is an important ingredient when making cottage fries. It helps the potatoes to crisp up and gives them a golden colour. You can also use avocado, anole, or vegetable oil.

Herbs and spices

If you want to get creative, you can experiment with different herbs and spices to find a combination that you love. Some options include rosemary, paprika, parsley, chilli powder, garlic powder, or onion powder.

Dipping sauces

While not exactly a seasoning, the right dipping sauce can really elevate your cottage fries. You can use anything you would normally dip French fries in, or try something more unusual like honey mustard, honey sriracha sauce, or Alabama White BBQ Sauce.

Other seasonings

You can also try more unusual seasonings like Cajun seasoning, jerk seasoning, or nutritional yeast. If you're feeling extra indulgent, you can load your cottage fries up with cheese.

Soaking the potatoes

Soaking the potatoes in cold water before cooking is optional, but it can help to remove some of the starch and ensure crispier fries. If you're planning to eat them right away, it doesn't make a big difference, but if you want to make them ahead of time, soaking for 15 minutes can help.

Cooking the potatoes

Preparation

Wash and scrub your potatoes thoroughly. If you don't plan to peel the skin, it's especially important to clean them well. You can use a mandolin to cut your potatoes into perfect slices, or you can cut them freehand with a knife. Either way, aim for slices that are about 1/4-inch thick. If they're any thinner, they might turn into potato chips. You can also make potato wedges in the air fryer if you prefer.

Place the sliced potatoes in a bowl of cold water for 5-10 minutes to remove excess starch from the surface. This will help them crisp up when cooked. Blot the potatoes dry with a paper towel or tea towel before moving on to seasoning.

Seasoning

Add oil, salt, and any other seasonings of your choice to the potato slices. Mix well to ensure that all slices are evenly coated. You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or try a seasoning salt or a homemade dry rub. If you want to get creative, you can experiment with different spices and seasoning blends, such as Cajun seasoning, jerk seasoning, or a sprinkle of nutritional yeast.

Cooking

Transfer the seasoned potato slices to the air fryer basket. Set the temperature to 400°F / 200°C and cook for 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. Depending on your air fryer and the thickness of your slices, you may need to adjust the cooking time. Thicker slices may require up to 18 minutes of cooking time.

If you have a lot of potatoes and they are overlapping in the basket, you may need to cook them in batches. Make sure not to overcrowd the basket, as this will affect how crispy your fries turn out.

Serving

Your cottage fries are ready when they are golden brown and crispy around the edges. Serve them with your favourite dipping sauce or as a side dish. Enjoy!

Serving the cottage fries

Once your cottage fries are cooked, it's time to serve them. You can serve them plain, or top them with shredded cheese or sour cream. They also go well with a dipping sauce such as spicy sour cream, honey mustard, or honey sriracha sauce.

Cottage fries are a great side dish, and can be served with chicken, beef, or fish. They can also be served as a snack or appetiser, dressed up with fresh herbs, chili powder, garlic powder, or onion powder.

Frequently asked questions