Air Fryer French Fries: Achieving The Perfect Crispiness

Air fryers are a great way to make crispy French fries with minimal oil and mess. The air fryer circulates hot air around the food, cooking it quickly and making it crispy. The result is a French fry that is crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside.

To make French fries in an air fryer, start by cutting your potatoes into fries of roughly the same size. Russet potatoes are a good choice because they have a classic potato flavour and get nice and crispy, but you can also use Yukon gold potatoes, which have a creamier centre. You can peel the potatoes or leave the skin on for added texture and flavour. Soak the cut potatoes in water for at least 30 minutes to remove excess starch and help them crisp up.

After soaking, dry the potatoes and toss them with olive oil, salt, and any other desired seasonings. Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, being sure not to overcrowd them, and air fry at around 375-400°F for 10-20 minutes, tossing halfway through. For extra crispy fries, cook in smaller batches.

Serve your air fryer French fries with your favourite dipping sauce, such as ketchup, ranch, or chipotle aioli. Enjoy!

Choose the right potato

Choosing the right potato is crucial for achieving the perfect air fryer French fries. While various types of potatoes can be used, the ideal options are Russet potatoes (also known as Idaho potatoes) and Yukon Gold potatoes.

Russet potatoes are known for their starchiness, resulting in fries that are crispy on the outside and drier on the inside. This variety yields a texture and taste similar to restaurant-style fries. If you prefer your fries with a classic potato flavour and a fluffy interior, Russet potatoes are the way to go.

On the other hand, Yukon Gold potatoes offer a waxier texture and a firmer, creamier inside. Their naturally buttery taste gives the French fries a richer flavour. If you're looking for a creamier centre and a crisp exterior, Yukon Gold potatoes are an excellent choice.

Both types of potatoes will result in delicious, crispy French fries, so you can choose based on your personal preference or experiment with both to find your favourite!

Cut the potatoes to size

To make crispy air fryer French fries, it is important to cut the potatoes into evenly sized pieces. This ensures that they cook at the same rate and helps to achieve the desired crispiness. Here are the steps you can follow to cut the potatoes to size:

• Wash the potatoes: Start by scrubbing and cleaning the potatoes to remove any dirt or residue. You can leave the peels on for added texture and flavor, or peel them if you prefer a smoother texture.
• Cut the potatoes into fries: For the best results, aim for a fry size of about 1/4-inch thick. You can use a mandoline for easy, uniform cutting, or a sharp knife. Cut the potatoes lengthwise into 1/4-inch thick slices, then turn the slices and cut them into 1/4-inch sticks. If the sticks are long, cut them into 3 to 4-inch pieces.
• Soak the potatoes: Place the cut potatoes in a large bowl and fill it with cold water. Soaking the potatoes helps remove excess starch, which will improve crispness. Let the potatoes soak for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours in the refrigerator if desired.
• Dry the potatoes: After soaking, drain the potatoes and pat them dry with kitchen towels or paper towels. It is important to ensure they are completely dry before proceeding to the next step.
• Season the potatoes: Place the dried potatoes in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil or another vegetable oil of your choice. Toss to coat the potatoes evenly. Then, add your desired seasonings, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, or other herbs and spices. Toss again to ensure the potatoes are evenly coated with the seasonings.

By following these steps, you will have perfectly cut potatoes that are ready to be cooked in your air fryer!

Soak the potatoes

Soaking the potatoes is an important step in achieving the perfect air fryer French fries. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

Before you begin, decide whether you want to peel the potatoes or leave the skin on. Peeling is optional, and leaving the skin on can add texture and flavour, as well as extra fibre and nutrients. If you do decide to peel, simply use a vegetable peeler or a sharp knife to remove the skin from the potatoes.

Next, cut your potatoes into fries. For the perfect air fryer French fries, cut the potatoes into matchsticks that are about 1/4-inch wide on each side and 3 to 4 inches in length. This size ensures even cooking and gives your fries a classic look. Try to cut the fries to a similar size so they cook at the same rate.

Now it's time to soak your potatoes. Place the cut potatoes in a large bowl and fill it with cold water, completely submerging the fries. Add a little granulated sugar to the water if you want a slightly sweet flavour. Let the potatoes sit in the water for at least 30 minutes, or up to an hour. Soaking helps remove excess starch, which will make your fries crisp up nicely. If you have the time, you can even soak them for up to 24 hours in the fridge.

Once the potatoes have soaked for long enough, drain the water and pat the potatoes dry with a kitchen towel or paper towels. It's important to get them as dry as possible, as any residual moisture can lead to soggy fries.

Now your potatoes are ready for the next steps in your air fryer French fries recipe!

Seasoning

• Use salt to taste. Salt is essential for bringing out the flavour of the potatoes and enhancing their crispy texture. You can use regular table salt, sea salt, or seasoning salt. Just remember that if you use seasoning salt, omit the kosher salt as it's already salty.
• Add black pepper to taste. Pepper will give your French fries a bit of a kick and enhance their overall flavour.
• Try different herbs and spices. You can experiment with various herbs and spices to find your favourite flavour combinations. Some popular options include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Cajun seasoning, Italian seasoning, curry powder, and chilli powder. You can also use fresh herbs like parsley or chives as a topping after cooking.
• Don't salt the potatoes too early. If you add salt too early, it will draw moisture out of the potatoes, and they won't be as crispy when air-fried. It's best to season them just before placing them in the air fryer.
• Toss the potatoes with oil and seasonings. Make sure the oil and seasonings are well distributed and coat all the potatoes evenly. You can use olive oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil.
• Experiment with flavoured oils. Instead of regular olive oil, you can try using flavoured oils like garlic oil or chilli oil to add an extra layer of flavour to your French fries.
• Try different types of salt. Using a particular type of salt, such as Maldon salt or powdered salt, can give your French fries a lighter, saltier flavour that distributes more evenly.
• Make garlic butter fries. For a rich and sinful treat, brush the fries with butter, diced garlic, and finely chopped parsley during the final 15 minutes of baking time.

Reheating

If you have any leftover French fries, you can reheat them in the air fryer at 375°F (190-200°C) or by preheating your oven to 400°F (204°C) and placing an empty baking sheet inside while it heats up. Spread the leftover fries in a single layer on the hot pan or in the air fryer basket and reheat until crispy.

You can also reheat your French fries in a pan on the stovetop. Heat some oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add the French fries in a single layer and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until crispy and heated through.

If you have frozen French fries, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Add the frozen fries to the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 14-16 minutes, shaking the basket after 10 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of crispness.

Tips for the Best Results

• For even cooking, cut your French fries to a similar size.
• Soak the potatoes in cold water before cooking to remove excess starch and ensure maximum crispness.
• Pat the potatoes completely dry after soaking and before cooking.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the French fries in batches if needed, allowing them to cook evenly and get crispy.
• Check on the French fries regularly to ensure they don't burn.
• Season the French fries just before air frying them, as adding salt too early can draw out moisture and affect crispness.
• Reheat French fries until crispy and golden, tossing them halfway through.

Frequently asked questions