Air Fryer French Fries: Crispy, Oil-Free Treats

Making French fries in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep-frying, as it requires far less oil. The process is simple and can be done with just a few basic ingredients. First, wash and cut your potatoes into fries of roughly equal size. You can peel the potatoes if you prefer, but leaving the skin on can add flavour and texture. Next, toss the fries in a bowl with a light drizzle of oil and your desired seasonings. Spread the fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each one. Cook in batches if necessary. Air fry at 375-400°F for 10-20 minutes, tossing halfway, until crispy and golden brown. For extra crispiness, you can soak the potatoes in water for about an hour before cooking to remove excess starch. Enjoy your homemade French fries with your favourite dipping sauce!

Potato preparation: wash, peel, and cut into 1/4-inch strips

Preparing the potatoes is the first step in making French fries in an air fryer without oil. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide:

Potato Preparation:

• Wash the potatoes thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt or residue. You can use a vegetable brush to scrub them gently.
• Peel the potatoes. While some people prefer to keep the peel on for added texture and flavour, peeling them will result in a smoother texture for the fries.
• Cut the potatoes into uniform, 1/4-inch strips. This ensures that all the fries cook evenly. You can use a sharp knife or a mandoline for precise cutting.
• Rinse the potato strips in cold water to remove excess starch. This step is crucial for achieving crispy fries.
• Pat the potato strips dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. It is important to remove as much moisture as possible to ensure the fries don't become soggy.

Soak in water to remove excess starch

Soaking the potatoes in water is a crucial step in making french fries in an air fryer without oil. This step helps to remove excess starch from the potatoes, which will ultimately help them crisp up better in the air fryer.

The amount of time that you should soak the potatoes for can vary. Some recipes suggest an hour-long soak, while others suggest just 10 or 15 minutes. It is also important to note that the temperature of the water you use can vary too. Some recipes suggest using cold water, while others opt for hot water. The benefit of using hot water is that it will slightly cook the potatoes, creating the "double-fried" effect that makes many restaurant fries so addictive.

Regardless of the time and temperature of the water you choose to soak your potatoes in, it is imperative that you dry them thoroughly afterward. Use paper towels or a clean dish towel to ensure there is no residual moisture on the potatoes. This is because wet fries will not crisp up in the air fryer and will instead turn out soggy.

Once your potatoes are dry, you can proceed to season them and cook them in your air fryer. Enjoy your homemade french fries!

Seasoning: toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper

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Air frying: cook in batches for 12-20 minutes at 375-400°F

When making French fries in an air fryer, it's important to cook them in batches to ensure they get crispy. This is because the hot air needs to be able to circulate around all the potatoes. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may only be able to fit one layer of potatoes at a time. If you can fit two layers, they may not be quite as crispy but will still taste great and will reduce the number of batches you need to cook.

The exact cooking time will depend on your air fryer and how crispy you like your fries, but you should aim for around 12-20 minutes at 375-400°F, tossing the fries halfway through. Keep an eye on them to make sure they don't burn, and adjust the timing as needed.

If you're making multiple batches, you can keep the first batch warm in the oven while you cook the rest. When all the batches are cooked, put them all back into the air fryer together for 1-2 minutes to warm through and get extra crispy.

Reheating: cook for 1-2 minutes to warm and crisp

Reheating your fries is a crucial step in ensuring that they are all crispy and warm. After you have cooked your final batch, simply place all the fries back into the air fryer basket. This time, you do not need to worry about arranging them in a single layer. Cook them for 1-2 minutes to warm them up and re-crisp any that have cooled down.

If you are reheating refrigerated or frozen fries, you can do so in the air fryer at 380°F for about 5 minutes or until they are the desired texture and temperature.

Frequently asked questions