Making French Fries In An Air Fryer: Quick And Crispy!

Making French fries in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep-frying, with the added benefit of less mess. The air fryer method yields crispy, crunchy homemade French fries without the excess grease.

Choosing the right potato

Potato Variety

Russet potatoes are the most recommended variety for making French fries in an air fryer. They have a high starch content, which contributes to the crispy texture we desire in French fries. Russets are also large, making them easy to cut into uniform fry shapes. Their classic potato flavour and ability to hold their shape during the cooking process make them the ideal choice.

However, if you prefer a creamier centre to your French fries, Yukon Gold potatoes are a suitable alternative. They have a lower starch content and higher moisture level, resulting in a firmer texture.

It is best to avoid waxy potatoes, such as red potatoes, as they have lower starch and higher moisture content. These are more suitable for boiling or roasting.

Potato Preparation

When preparing your potatoes, it is essential to cut them into uniform sizes, typically around 1/4-inch thick. This ensures even cooking, so all your fries are crispy and golden. You can peel the potatoes if you prefer, but leaving the skin on has its benefits. The skin adds texture, flavour, and extra nutrients to your fries, and it saves you time!

After cutting, it is recommended to soak the potatoes in cold water for about 15 minutes to remove excess starch and moisture. This step helps prevent the potatoes from sticking together and promotes even cooking. Make sure to dry the potatoes thoroughly after soaking to eliminate any residual moisture, as this can hinder crispness.

Oil and Seasoning

Once your potatoes are cut and dried, it's time to add some flavour! Drizzle them with olive oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil. A good quality olive oil will enhance the taste, and you can even use flavoured oils like garlic oil or chile oil for a unique twist.

For seasoning, keep it simple with salt and pepper, or get creative with onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, or herbs like rosemary or thyme. You can also try cajun seasoning or a blend of truffle and parmesan for an extra punch of flavour. Don't forget to toss the potatoes well to ensure an even coating of oil and seasoning.

Now you're ready to arrange the potatoes in your air fryer and cook them to crispy perfection!

Preparing the potatoes

Scrub and Wash the Potatoes:

Start by scrubbing and washing the potatoes to remove any dirt or impurities. You can use a vegetable brush or a clean, damp cloth to gently scrub the surface of the potatoes. This step ensures that your potatoes are clean and ready for the next steps.

Peel the Potatoes (Optional):

You can choose to peel the potatoes if you prefer. However, leaving the skin on has several benefits. It adds more flavour, provides a great crispy texture, and increases the fibre and nutrient content of your fries. If you do decide to peel them, use a vegetable peeler or a sharp knife to carefully remove the skin.

Cut the Potatoes into Fries:

Cut the potatoes into your desired fry size. For French fries, it is recommended to cut them into even strips, typically about 1/4-inch thick. You can use a sharp knife or a mandoline to slice the potatoes. Try to keep the size uniform so that they cook and crisp evenly.

Soak the Potatoes (Optional but Recommended):

Once you have cut your potatoes into fries, you can optionally soak them in a bowl of cool water for about 15-60 minutes. This step helps remove excess starch and moisture, prevents the potatoes from sticking together, and promotes even cooking. After soaking, drain the water and pat the potatoes dry with a paper towel or clean cloth.

Season the Potatoes:

Place the cut and dried potatoes into a large bowl. Drizzle them with your desired oil, such as olive oil, avocado oil, or vegetable oil. Toss the potatoes to coat them evenly with oil. Then, add your choice of seasonings. You can use salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or any other spices you like. Toss the potatoes again to ensure they are well-coated with the seasonings.

Your potatoes are now ready to be cooked in the air fryer! Follow the remaining steps for air-frying, and enjoy your delicious, crispy French fries.

Seasoning the potatoes

The basics

When it comes to seasoning your potatoes, you can keep it simple with just olive oil, salt and pepper, or you can experiment with different herbs and spices.

Soaking the potatoes

Before seasoning, it's a good idea to soak your cut potatoes in cool water for around 15 minutes. This will help to remove excess starch and moisture, and prevent the potatoes from sticking together. After soaking, be sure to dry the potatoes thoroughly with paper towels or a clean dish towel.

Oil

Drizzle or toss your potatoes with olive oil (or another oil of your choice). You only need a light coating, and this will help the seasoning stick to the potatoes.

Salt and pepper

Salt and pepper are classic seasonings for French fries. You can add these to taste, but a good starting point is 1/2 teaspoon of each for every pound of potatoes.

Herbs and spices

If you want to get creative, there are lots of different herbs and spices you can use to season your potatoes. Here are some ideas:

• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Cajun seasoning
• Parsley
• Rosemary
• Truffle & parmesan seasoning
• Corn starch

Air frying the potatoes

Now that you've cut your potatoes into fries, it's time to cook them. But before you do, there are a few things you should do to ensure your fries turn out crispy and delicious.

Firstly, if you want to remove the excess starch from your potatoes, you can soak the cut potatoes in a bowl of cool water for 15 minutes to an hour. This will also help to prevent the potatoes from sticking to each other. After soaking, be sure to thoroughly pat the potatoes dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. Moisture is the enemy of crispiness!

Next, it's time to season your fries. Place the potatoes in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil (or another cooking oil of your choice). Toss the potatoes to ensure they are evenly coated, then add your desired seasonings. You can keep it simple with just salt, or get creative with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or herbs like rosemary or thyme. Give the potatoes another toss to ensure they are evenly coated with the seasonings.

Now it's time to cook the fries. Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket, making sure they are in a single layer and not stacked on top of each other. It's important to give them space so that the hot air can circulate and crisp up all sides of the fries. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the fries in multiple batches. Air fry at 380°F for 10-15 minutes, tossing halfway through, until the fries are golden brown and crispy.

Once all batches are finished, you can toss them all back into the air fryer for 1-2 minutes to warm up any fries that may have cooled down and to give them an extra crisp.

And that's it! Your air fryer French fries are now ready to be served and enjoyed.

Reheating the French fries

Reheating French Fries in an Air Fryer

If you have leftover French fries, you can reheat them in an air fryer to restore their crispiness. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Preheat your air fryer: While some sources suggest preheating to 350°F, others recommend 375°F or even 380°F. Adjust the temperature according to your air fryer model and preferences.
• Prepare the French fries: Spread the leftover French fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray. Avoid overcrowding to allow for proper air circulation. If you have a large quantity of fries, you may need to reheat them in batches.
• Lightly spritz or drizzle oil: For an extra crispy texture, you can lightly spritz or drizzle a small amount of neutral cooking oil or olive oil over the fries. This step is optional but can enhance the crispiness.
• Air fry: Place the fries in the air fryer and cook for 2 to 5 minutes. The exact time will depend on your air fryer and the desired level of crispiness. Thicker fries may take longer to heat up and crisp.
• Toss and flip: Halfway through the cooking process, give the fries a quick toss or flip to ensure even heating and browning.
• Check for doneness: Keep an eye on the fries to avoid overcooking. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the fries and your air fryer model.
• Serve: Once the fries are heated through and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately with your favorite sauces or seasonings.

Tips for Reheating French Fries in an Air Fryer:

• Avoid microwaving leftover French fries as they tend to become soggy.
• If you're reheating a large quantity of fries, consider cooking in batches to ensure even heating and crispiness.
• For skinnier or thinner fries, reduce the cooking time to prevent overcooking.
• If your air fryer has a lower wattage or cooks slower, you may need to increase the temperature slightly to achieve the desired crispiness.
• If you're reheating frozen fries, you may need to increase the cooking time by a minute or two.

Frequently asked questions