Making Crinkle-Cut Fries In An Air Fryer: Easy Steps

Making crinkle-cut fries in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get hot, crispy fries. The process is simple: cut your potatoes into crinkle-cut shapes, add some oil and salt, and cook in the air fryer at 400ºF for 16-20 minutes. You can also make crinkle-cut fries from sweet potatoes or other root vegetables. For frozen crinkle-cut fries, simply preheat your air fryer to 400ºF, add the frozen fries, and cook for 12-15 minutes.

How to Make Crinkle Cut Fries in an Air Fryer

How to cut potatoes into crinkle shapes

To cut potatoes into crinkle shapes, you will need a crinkle cutter knife or tool. You can find several options online that either look like a knife or have a handle directly over the blade.

To cut the potatoes, follow these steps:

• Wash and peel the potatoes.
• Cut the potato in half lengthwise.
• Place the potato halves flat-side-down and cut each half into 4-5 pieces.
• Turn those pieces on their side and cut them into 2-3 pieces.
• Voilà! You now have crinkle-cut potatoes.

You can leave the skin on if you prefer, but peeling the potatoes will give them a more classic French fry look.

How to cook frozen crinkle fries in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• Frozen crinkle-cut fries (you can use any brand, but popular options include Ore-Ida, Kroger, and Walmart)
• Salt to taste
• Dipping sauce of your choice (optional)

Utensils:

Air fryer

Method:

Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. It is recommended to preheat your air fryer for the best results.

Step 2: Place a single layer of frozen crinkle fries in the air fryer basket. It's okay if there is a little overlap, but make sure they are in a single layer so they cook evenly.

Step 3: Cook for 6 minutes, and then shake the basket to ensure even cooking.

Step 4: Cook for at least 6 more minutes and up to 10 more minutes, depending on how crispy you like your fries. If you prefer them extra crispy, you can cook them for a couple of minutes longer at a time until they reach your desired level of crispiness.

Step 5: Season with salt to taste and let them cool down.

Step 6: Enjoy your hot and crispy crinkle fries as is or with your favourite dipping sauce!

Tips:

• You don't need to use oil when cooking frozen crinkle fries in an air fryer as the frozen products already have oil in their coating. However, if you want your fries to be extra crispy, you can spritz them with cooking spray when you shake the basket at the halfway point.
• If you are using thicker frozen fries, it is recommended to cook them at 400 degrees Fahrenheit to get a golden exterior and fully cooked interior.
• It is not necessary to defrost frozen fries before air frying. In fact, cooking them straight from frozen may result in crispier fries.

Serving Suggestions:

Crinkle fries go well with a variety of dishes, but here are some specific suggestions:

• Roasted or grilled chicken
• Burgers or sandwiches
• Fancier dinners like fish or steak

Reheating:

To reheat your crinkle fries, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the leftover fries in a single layer in the air fryer and cook for 5-7 minutes until heated through and crispy.

Enjoy your delicious and crispy crinkle fries!

How to make crinkle fries extra crispy

Ingredients and Equipment

To make crinkle-cut fries extra crispy, you will need the following ingredients and equipment:

• A bag of frozen crinkle-cut french fries (e.g. Ore-Ida, Kroger, Walmart, or any other brand of your choice)
• Air fryer
• Cooking spray or oil (optional)
• Tongs or a silicone spatula
• Aluminium foil (optional)

Step-by-Step Guide

• Preheat the air fryer: Set the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (or 375 degrees, depending on your preference and the model of your air fryer) and preheat for 3 to 5 minutes. Preheating is important to ensure that the fries start crisping up immediately.
• Prepare the fries: Keep the crinkle-cut fries frozen until you are ready to cook them. Place a single layer of frozen fries in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Overcrowding the basket will result in steamed, rather than crispy, fries. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the fries in batches.
• Cook the fries: Air fry the fries at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking process. For extra crispy fries, cook for an additional 3-7 minutes. The cooking time may vary depending on your desired level of crispiness and the brand of your air fryer.
• Season and serve: Once the fries are cooked to your desired level of crispiness, season them with salt or your favourite seasonings. Serve immediately with your favourite dipping sauces, such as ketchup, aioli, or honey mustard.

Tips for Extra Crispy Fries:

• To make the fries even crispier, you can spray them with cooking spray or oil after shaking the basket halfway through the cooking process.
• It is recommended to preheat the air fryer before adding the fries and to keep the fries frozen until you are ready to cook them.
• For easier clean-up, you can place foil between the basket and the bottom of the fryer.
• Remember to shake the basket or toss the fries a few times while they are cooking to ensure even cooking and to prevent them from clumping together.

How to reheat crinkle fries in an air fryer

Reheating crinkle fries in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get them crispy again. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to the right temperature. The ideal temperature for reheating crinkle fries is around 350-400°F. Preheating ensures that your fries start crisping up immediately and evenly.

Next, lay out your leftover crinkle fries in the air fryer basket. It's important not to overcrowd the basket, so the hot air can circulate freely. If you have a lot of leftover fries, you may need to reheat them in batches. Aim for a single layer of fries with some overlap being okay.

Now, you can cook your fries. For crispy crinkle fries, cook them for around 5-7 minutes at 400°F, or 3-5 minutes at 350°F. Keep an eye on them, as you don't want them to burn. You can shake the basket or toss the fries with tongs halfway through cooking to ensure they cook evenly.

Once they're heated through and crispy, your crinkle fries are ready to be enjoyed! You can serve them with your favorite dipping sauces, such as ketchup, aioli, or honey mustard.

Reheating crinkle fries in an air fryer is a simple process that will give you delicious, crispy fries in no time. Enjoy!

What to serve with crinkle fries

Crinkle-cut fries are a versatile side dish that can be served with a variety of main courses. Here are some ideas for what to serve with your crinkle fries:

Burgers

If you're looking for a classic combination, serve your crinkle fries with a juicy burger. You can keep it simple with a traditional beef burgersection burger or mix things up with a chicken or veggie burger. Don't forget to add your favourite toppings and condiments!

Sandwiches

For a casual meal, pair your crinkle fries with a sandwich. This could be a classic grilled cheese, a hearty pulled BBQ chicken sandwich, or any other sandwich that strikes your fancy.

Meat Dishes

Crinkle fries can also be served as a side dish with meat dishes such as fish, steak, or roasted/grilled chicken. The fries will add a crispy texture and a comforting flavour to your meal.

Dips and Sauces

If you're serving crinkle fries as a snack or appetiser, provide a variety of dips and sauces for your guests to enjoy. Some popular options include ketchup, aioli, burger sauce, blue cheese dressing, and honey sriracha sauce.

Other Sides

If you want to make your meal extra indulgent, serve your crinkle fries with another side dish. Mac and cheese, for example, would be a delicious and comforting pairing.

Frequently asked questions