Air Fryer Crispy Fried Chicken Secrets

Air fryers are a great way to make crispy fried food without the mess and excess fat of deep-frying. They work by circulating hot air around the food at high speed, creating a crispy exterior without needing lots of oil. This means you can make delicious, crunchy French fries, fried chicken, and more, with minimal cleanup and in a fraction of the time.

Choose the right potato

Choosing the right potato is crucial for achieving the perfect crispiness in your air fryer. Here are some tips to help you select the best potatoes for air frying:

Types of Potatoes

The most recommended type of potato for air fryer fries is the Russet potato. Russets have a high starch content, which makes them ideal for frying. They produce fries with a fluffy interior and a crispy exterior. Their larger size also makes them perfect for cutting into classic fry shapes.

However, you can also use other types of potatoes, such as Yukon Golds, red potatoes, or even frozen french fries. Yukon Golds will give you a similar texture to Russets, while red potatoes can be a good option if you don't mind shorter, stubbier fries.

Soaking Potatoes

Before air frying, it is essential to soak your potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes to remove excess starch. This step helps achieve the coveted French fry crispiness and prevents the fries from sticking together. You can soak them for up to 24 hours if needed, and be sure to pat them dry thoroughly before air frying.

Potato Skin

Leaving the skin on your potatoes is a matter of personal preference. Peeling the potatoes will give you a smoother texture, but keeping the skin on adds texture and flavor to your fries. The skin also contains some vitamins, so it can be a nutritious bonus!

Cutting the Potatoes

When cutting your potatoes into fries, aim for a similar size, about 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick. This ensures that all the fries cook evenly. You can use a mandoline for easy, perfect sticks, or simply cut them by hand.

Oil and Seasoning

A light drizzle of oil is all you need to make your air fryer fries crispy. Olive oil is a popular choice, but you can also use other types of vegetable oils like canola or coconut oil. Avoid using too much oil, as it can make your fries soggy.

For seasoning, you can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or get creative with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, rosemary, or even Cajun seasoning. Experiment with different combinations to find your favorite flavor profile!

Soak the potatoes

Soaking the potatoes is an important step in the process of making crispy air-fried potatoes. Here is a detailed guide on how to do it:

Prepare the Potato Slices:

Before soaking, you need to cut your potatoes into slices or wedges of your desired shape and thickness. For French fries, it is recommended to cut them into 1/4-inch or 1/2-inch thick slices. You can use a mandoline or a sharp knife to get even slices. If you want wedges, cut the potatoes lengthwise.

Soak the Potatoes:

Place the sliced potatoes in a large bowl and fill it with cold water. Make sure the potatoes are completely submerged in the water. Let the potatoes soak for at least 30 minutes, but you can also leave them for up to 24 hours in the fridge. Soaking helps remove excess starch, which will make the potatoes crisp up better during frying.

Dry the Potatoes:

After soaking, remove the potatoes from the water and lay them on a paper towel or a clean kitchen towel. It is important to ensure that the potatoes are thoroughly dried before proceeding to the next step.

Season the Potatoes (Optional):

At this stage, you can season the potatoes with your choice of spices and herbs. You can use salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, rosemary, or any other seasoning you prefer. Toss the potatoes with a couple of tablespoons of olive oil or vegetable oil to help the seasonings stick to the potatoes.

Preheat the Air Fryer:

Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, typically between 375-400°F (190-200°C). Refer to your specific air fryer's instructions for the best results.

Fry the Potatoes:

Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not stacked on top of each other. Cook for 10-20 minutes, depending on the thickness of your potatoes and your air fryer's settings. For even cooking, shake or flip the potatoes halfway through the cooking process.

Rest and Serve:

Once the potatoes are crispy and golden brown, remove them from the air fryer and place them on a baking sheet lined with paper towels and a cooling rack. You can keep them warm in a low-temperature oven (around 200°F or 93°C) while you cook any remaining batches. Serve the potatoes hot and enjoy the crispy treat!

Seasoning

Choose Your Seasonings

Begin by selecting the seasonings you want to use. A variety of options are available, including salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Cajun seasoning, and rosemary. You can also get creative and experiment with different combinations of herbs and spices to find your favourite flavour profile.

Prepare the Seasoning Mixture

In a small bowl, mix your chosen seasonings with a small amount of olive oil or another type of cooking oil. The oil will help the seasonings stick to your food and also promote crisping. You can adjust the amount of oil depending on your desired level of crispness and flavour intensity.

Apply the Seasoning

Now it's time to coat your food with the seasoning mixture. If you're making French fries, toss the potatoes in the mixture until they are evenly coated. For chicken or other meats, you can use a brush to apply the seasoning mixture or simply rub it on with your hands. Make sure to get an even coating so that every bite is flavourful.

Don't Overcrowd the Air Fryer

When placing your seasoned food in the air fryer, make sure not to overcrowd the basket. Leave some space between each piece to allow the hot air to circulate properly. This will ensure that your food cooks evenly and becomes crispy all over. You may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.

Adjust Seasoning as Needed

Taste your food after it's done cooking, and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can also experiment with adding different sauces or dips to enhance the flavour even further. Remember, the beauty of cooking is that you can always customise the seasonings to suit your personal preferences!

Don't overcrowd the fryer

One of the most common mistakes people make when using an air fryer is overcrowding the basket. The basket on most air fryers is small, with enough room to comfortably cook two servings of meat or fish, or four servings of a vegetable side. It is important to avoid the temptation to stack or squish food together to cook more at once, as this will likely lead to disappointing results.

Air fryers cook food by circulating hot air around it. If the air fryer is overcrowded, the air won't be able to move around the food properly, and the food won't cook correctly or crisp up. The food will also hold onto steam, which is the enemy of crispy food.

To avoid overcrowding your air fryer, it is best to cook in batches. Air fryer cooking is generally faster than roasting or frying, so it won't take too much longer. Cooking in smaller batches will allow for better airflow, and help you achieve that desired golden crisp.

If you're cooking vegetables, you can fill the air fryer basket, but only if you're happy for them to be steamed rather than crisped. If you want to cook a large amount of food in one go, consider buying an air fryer with a larger basket.

Reheat in the air fryer

The air fryer is a great way to reheat your food and bring back the crispiness, flavour, and warmth of your leftovers without the sogginess of a microwave or the long wait of an oven. Here's how to do it:

• Preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F. The specific temperature will depend on what you're reheating.
• Place your leftovers in the air fryer basket in a single layer. You can use a liner for easier cleanup.
• Spritz your food with a little oil to help it get crispy again (optional).
• Reheat for 3-10 minutes, depending on the type of food. Flip or toss halfway through for even cooking.
• Check that your food has reached a safe internal temperature of 165°F with a food thermometer.

Pizza

Preheat to 350°F. Place the slices in the basket and reheat for 3-4 minutes, checking regularly to ensure they don't dry out.

Chicken

Preheat to 350-400°F. Place the chicken in the basket without overcrowding and reheat for 3-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Steak

Preheat to 360°F. Let the steak come to room temperature first to reduce the reheating time. You can wrap the steak in foil to retain moisture. Reheat for 3-5 minutes, checking halfway through. Let the steak rest for a few minutes after reheating.

French Fries

Preheat to 350°F. Spread the fries in the basket and spritz with oil if desired. Reheat for 3-5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.

Burger

Preheat to 350°F. Disassemble the burger and remove cold toppings and sauces. Place the patty in the basket first and reheat for 3-4 minutes. Then add the buns and heat for an additional minute.

Sautéed/Roasted Vegetables

Preheat to 360°F. Separate clumped vegetables and spritz with oil. Spread in a single layer and reheat for 3-5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.

Meatloaf

Preheat to 350°F. Place slices or the whole meatloaf in the basket, brushing with barbecue sauce or ketchup if desired. Reheat for 3-5 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Frequently asked questions