Air Fryer Curly Fries: The Perfect Crispy, Golden Treat

Curly fries are a delicious snack, but they can be a hassle to make at home. Fortunately, air fryers offer a convenient and quick way to cook them. You can use frozen curly fries straight from the bag, or make them from scratch with fresh potatoes. Either way, you'll get tasty, crispy fries without the mess and inconvenience of deep frying or oven baking.

Choosing the right potatoes

Potato Variety

When it comes to choosing the type of potato, opt for starchy varieties such as Russet or Idaho potatoes. These potatoes are high in starch and low in moisture, resulting in crispier curly fries. Avoid waxy potatoes like red, fingerling, or white potatoes, as they may not yield the desired crispness. If you want to experiment with different flavours and textures, sweet potatoes are also an excellent option for curly fries.

Potato Size

For curly fries, it's best to select large potatoes, such as Russet potatoes, as they tend to provide longer strands. The bigger the potato, the more curly fries you'll get out of it. So, if you're cooking for a larger group or simply want some extra fries for yourself, go for the largest potatoes you can find!

Potato Preparation

Before spiralizing or cutting your potatoes, ensure they are clean and thoroughly washed. Leaving the skin on is generally recommended, as it adds nutrients and flavour to your fries. However, if you prefer peeled potatoes, go ahead and peel them, ensuring they are scrubbed and trimmed. It is also essential to trim the ends of the potatoes to stabilize them in the spiralizer or for even cutting. If you notice any bad spots on the potatoes, cut them out to ensure your fries are of the best quality.

Soaking Potatoes

Once you've spiralized or cut your potatoes, it's crucial to soak them in cold water for about 30 minutes. This step helps prevent discolouration and removes excess starch, resulting in crispier curly fries. After soaking, make sure to dry the potatoes thoroughly before placing them in the air fryer.

Oil Selection

When it comes to frying your curly fries, you can use various oils. Olive oil, vegetable oil, peanut oil, and grapeseed oil are all excellent options. Choose an oil with a high smoke point and a neutral flavour to ensure your fries cook effectively without burning.

Remember, choosing the right potatoes and following these simple preparation steps will ensure your curly fries turn out perfectly crispy and delicious every time!

Preparing the potatoes

Choosing the Right Potatoes

Select Russet potatoes, also known as baking potatoes, for your curly fries. Russets are ideal because they are high in starch and low in moisture, resulting in the perfect crispiness. Avoid waxy potatoes like fingerling, white, and red potatoes, as they won't give you the desired texture.

Spiralizing the Potatoes

Use a spiralizer to turn your potatoes into curly fries. Choose the largest blade on your spiralizer to get the perfect curl. Be careful not to cut the potatoes too thin, as thinner cuts will burn easily. Spiralize each potato, and then use kitchen shears or scissors to cut the potato "noodles" into shorter, bite-sized pieces. This step ensures you don't end up with incredibly long fries!

Soaking and Drying the Potatoes

Once you have your spiralized potatoes, it's time to soak them. Transfer them to a large bowl and fill it with cold water. Let the potatoes soak for at least an hour. This step is crucial, as it helps remove excess starch, reducing the chances of soggy fries. After soaking, drain the water and thoroughly dry the potatoes using clean tea towels or paper towels.

Seasoning the Potatoes (Optional)

Before placing the potatoes in the air fryer, you can season them for extra flavour. Toss the potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. You can also get creative with your seasonings and try a mix of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, thyme, and oregano. This blend will give your curly fries a flavour blast!

Preheating the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F for about 3 minutes. This step ensures that your air fryer is ready to cook the potatoes evenly.

Now that you've prepared the potatoes, you're ready to move on to the next step of cooking your curly fries in the air fryer!

Cooking times and temperatures

The cooking time and temperature for curly fries in an air fryer depend on the type of potato, the thickness of the fries, and the size of the air fryer. Here is a detailed guide:

For frozen curly fries, there is no need to thaw them first. Take them straight from the freezer and place them in the air fryer. Spread the fries evenly in the basket, ensuring they are not piled up. Cooking time will vary depending on the brand, but it typically takes around 10-15 minutes at 360°F/180°C or 400°F/200°C. Shake the basket every 5 minutes to redistribute the fries and ensure even cooking. Keep a close eye on them towards the end to avoid overcooking.

For homemade curly fries, the cooking time will depend on the thickness of the fries and the size of your air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Add the spiralized potatoes to the basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Set the timer for 20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Check the crispiness of your fries at the 20-minute mark, and add a few more minutes as needed, keeping a close eye on them to prevent burning.

Some additional tips:

• For homemade curly fries, it is recommended to soak the potatoes in cold water for at least an hour and then dry them before placing them in the air fryer. This helps remove excess moisture and ensures crispier fries.
• For frozen curly fries, you can add a spritz of olive oil for extra crispiness, but it is not necessary as there is usually enough oil in the crust from pre-cooking.
• If your air fryer has an automatic preheat function, use it. Otherwise, preheat for 3-5 minutes.
• Cooking times may vary depending on the make and model of your air fryer, so always keep an eye on your fries to prevent overcooking or burning.

Seasoning and serving

Seasoning

The great thing about curly fries is that they taste delicious with just a sprinkle of salt and pepper. However, if you want to get creative, there are endless possibilities for seasonings and spices that you can use to elevate your curly fries. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Paprika and garlic powder
• Cajun seasoning
• Grated cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Truffle oil and Parmesan
• Oregano
• Thyme
• Cayenne pepper
• Onion powder

Dips and Sauces

Curly fries are also fantastic when served with a variety of dips and sauces. Here are some options to try:

• Ketchup
• BBQ sauce
• Hot sauce
• Ranch dressing
• Blue cheese dip
• Honey mustard sauce
• Tarter sauce
• Thousand island dressing
• Spicy aioli

Sides and Mains

If you're looking for something more substantial, curly fries can be served as a side dish alongside a variety of mains. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Steak and fries
• Fish and chips
• Chicken tenders
• Chicken wings
• Chicken breasts

Storage and Reheating

If you have any leftover curly fries, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply pop them back into the air fryer for a few minutes to crisp them up again.

Storing and reheating

Curly fries are best enjoyed straight after cooking. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

To reheat, simply place the leftover curly fries in the air fryer and cook at 350°F for 3-4 minutes, or until crispy and hot. You can also bake them at 400°F until crispy. It is not recommended to microwave curly fries, as they will turn out soggy.

If you are reheating leftover fries from a restaurant, it is best to use the air fryer as it will make them crispy again in the shortest amount of time. Other methods such as using the oven, a deep fryer, or a skillet can make the fries greasy or chewy.

When reheating curly fries in the air fryer, arrange them in a single layer in the basket or tray to allow for air circulation. This helps the fries to crisp up evenly. Depending on the thickness of the fries, thinner fries will cook faster and thicker fries will take a minute or two longer to heat up and become crispy.

If you want to add some extra flavor to your reheated curly fries, try sprinkling some sea salt or French fry seasoning on top. You can also dip them in sauces such as nacho cheese, ranch, garlic aioli, or a 1:1 mix of ketchup and mayo.

Frequently asked questions