Air Fryer Secrets: Five Guys' Fries At Home

If you're a fan of Five Guys' Cajun fries, you're in luck! You can easily recreate this popular side dish at home using an air fryer. The key to getting that signature crispy texture and flavour is in the preparation and cooking method. Here's a step-by-step guide to making your own Five Guys Cajun fries in an air fryer.

Cut potatoes into fries

To cut potatoes into fries, start by washing the potatoes thoroughly and patting them dry with a kitchen towel. You can peel the potatoes or leave the skin on for a more authentic Five Guys experience.

Next, cut the potatoes into thin, uniform sticks, about 1/4 inch wide. You can use a sharp knife or a French fry cutter to do this. Try to cut the fries to a similar size so they cook evenly.

Once you've cut your potatoes into fries, it's time to soak them. Add the cut fries to a bowl of ice-cold water and let them soak for 20-30 minutes. This step helps remove excess starch, which will make your fries nice and crispy.

After soaking, drain the water and pat the potatoes dry again to ensure the seasoning will stick properly. Now you're ready to season and cook your fries!

Soak potatoes in water

Soaking the potatoes in water is an essential step in making crispy air fryer fries. This is because the water removes excess starch from the potatoes, which is key to achieving the perfect crispiness. The ideal soaking time is at least 30 minutes, but you can leave them to soak for up to 2 hours if you want to get rid of as much starch as possible. It is also important to note that the water should be ice-cold, and you should fill the bowl with enough water to cover the potatoes by at least 1 inch.

After soaking, it is crucial to dry the potatoes thoroughly. This step ensures that the seasoning will stick properly to the potatoes. Lay the potatoes on a few layers of paper towels and pat them dry with a clean towel or kitchen roll. Make sure to get rid of as much moisture as possible, as this will also help prevent the potatoes from becoming soggy during cooking.

Once the potatoes are dry, it's time to add the seasoning. For Five Guys Cajun Fries, a blend of spices is typically used, including smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. You can also add granulated sugar to the mix, as this helps to balance out the spiciness of the cajun seasoning. However, if you prefer your fries on the spicier side, you can increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add some cayenne pepper.

After seasoning, the potatoes are ready to be cooked in the air fryer. For crispy fries, it is best to cook them in a single layer, ensuring they are not overlapping or packed too closely together. Depending on your air fryer model and the thickness of your fries, the cooking time may vary, but generally, it should take around 15-20 minutes at a temperature of 390-400°F.

By following these steps and paying attention to the small details, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious and crispy air fryer fries, just like the ones from Five Guys!

Dry potatoes

Drying the Potatoes

After cutting the potatoes into fries, it's important to dry them thoroughly. This step is crucial as it ensures that the seasoning will stick properly to the potatoes. Here are the steps to dry your potatoes effectively:

Step 1: Soak the Potatoes

First, fill a large bowl with ice-cold water. Add the cut potatoes to the bowl and let them soak for at least 30 minutes. This process helps remove excess starch, resulting in crispier fries. You can even leave them to soak for up to an hour or two if that's more convenient.

Step 2: Drain and Pat Dry

After soaking, drain the potatoes and use paper towels or a clean kitchen towel to pat them completely dry. It's important to remove all traces of moisture, as excess moisture will prevent the potatoes from getting crispy during cooking.

Once your potatoes are dry, you can proceed to season and cook them according to your preferred recipe.

Add oil and seasoning

Now that your fries are prepped and ready to go, it's time to add the oil and seasoning. This is what will give your fries that signature Five Guys taste and crispiness. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Add Oil: Place your cut fries in a large bowl and drizzle them with peanut oil or another oil of your choice (such as canola, olive, or avocado oil). You only need a small amount of oil—about a tablespoon per 400g of potatoes. Toss the fries in the oil until they are evenly coated.
• Make the Cajun Seasoning: While your fries are soaking, prepare your Cajun seasoning by combining the following spices: smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper, black pepper, and granulated sugar (optional). You can also add salt to taste. Mix the spices together in a small bowl.
• Toss Fries in Seasoning: After you've drained and dried the fries, place them back in the bowl and add your Cajun seasoning. Toss the fries until they are evenly coated with the seasoning. You can add the oil at this step as well, if you prefer.
• Air Fry: Place the seasoned fries in the air fryer basket in a single layer. You may need to work in batches to avoid overcrowding the basket. Set the air fryer to 390°F (200°C) and cook the fries for 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
• Final Seasoning: Once the fries are cooked to your desired level of doneness, transfer them to a serving bowl. If desired, sprinkle on some additional Cajun seasoning or sea salt to taste.

The key to great Five Guys fries is in the seasoning, so don't be afraid to experiment with different spices and ratios to find your perfect blend. Enjoy your delicious, crispy, and perfectly-seasoned Five Guys-style fries!

Air fry

Prep

Peel and cut your potatoes into 1/4-inch strips. If you want to be extra authentic, leave the skin on. Place the cut potatoes into a bowl of ice-cold water and soak for 20-30 minutes. This will help remove excess starch, which will make the fries crispier. Drain the potatoes and pat them dry.

Seasoning

Add the potatoes to a bowl and coat with 1 tablespoon of oil. You can use peanut oil for a more authentic taste, but olive oil, canola oil, or avocado oil will also work. Then, add your spice mix and stir until each fry is well-coated. Five Guys' Cajun spice blend includes garlic and onion powder, smoked paprika, thyme, oregano, red chili flakes, black pepper, and granulated sugar.

Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper. Place the seasoned fries in a single layer in the basket and cook at 390ºF for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown. You can also cook the fries in two batches at different temperatures: first at 320ºF for 10 minutes, then at 400ºF for 5 minutes.

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