Perfect French Fries With Pigeon Air Fryer

Making French fries in the Pigeon Air Fryer is a simple and healthy alternative to deep-fried fries. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you achieve crispy and delicious French fries:

Ingredients:

- Potatoes (russet or Idaho potatoes are recommended for a classic French fry flavour)

- Olive oil or any other oil of your choice (vegetable, canola, garlic oil, or chile oil)

- Sea salt and pepper, to taste

- Other seasonings of your choice (garlic powder, paprika, Cajun spice, rosemary, truffle salt, etc.)

Instructions:

1. Prep the potatoes by washing them thoroughly to remove any dirt. You can choose to peel the potatoes or leave the skin on for a rustic flavour and texture.

2. Cut the potatoes into uniform sticks, aiming for a thickness of about 1/4 to 1/2 inch. You can use a knife or a French fry cutter for this step.

3. Soak the cut potatoes in a bowl of cold water for about 30 minutes to remove excess starch and ensure crispier fries.

4. After soaking, drain the potatoes and pat them dry with a kitchen towel or paper towels. This step is crucial to prevent the fries from becoming soggy during cooking.

5. In a bowl, mix your chosen seasonings. Classic choices include salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. You can also experiment with different combinations.

6. Preheat your Pigeon Air Fryer to 375-400°F (depending on your model).

7. Toss the dried potato sticks with a light coating of oil. Use about 1-2 tablespoons of oil for every 2 pounds of potatoes.

8. Spread the seasoned potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not stacked on top of each other. Cook in multiple batches if necessary.

9. Cook the fries at 380-400°F for 12-20 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally to promote even cooking. The cooking time may vary based on the thickness of your fries and your desired level of crispiness.

10. For extra crispy fries, you can cook them in two batches. After the initial cooking time, remove the fries, let them cool slightly, and then return them to the air fryer for an additional 5-10 minutes.

11. Once cooked to your desired level of doneness, season the fries with additional salt or your chosen seasonings.

12. Serve the French fries immediately while they're still hot and crispy. They pair well with dipping sauces such as ketchup, mayonnaise, aioli, or cheese sauce.

Choosing the right potatoes

Variety

Russet potatoes are the most recommended variety for making French fries. They have a fluffy and soft interior, while the exterior stays crispy. Russets are also the ideal size for fries, and you can cut them into long, uniform sticks. Alternatively, you can use Yukon Gold potatoes, which will give your fries a creamier centre.

Size

When selecting your potatoes, try to find the longest ones, especially if you're using Russets. Smaller, more round potatoes will result in stubby fries that may not be as satisfying for dipping. Look for potatoes that are similar in size and shape to ensure even cooking.

Skin

Leaving the potato skins on has several benefits. It adds flavour, texture, fibre, and nutrients to your fries. Keeping the skins on also saves time during preparation. However, if you prefer peeled potatoes, you can certainly peel them before cutting.

Preparation

Before cutting your potatoes, scrub them clean and remove any dirt or debris. Cut the potatoes into uniform sticks, about 1/4-inch thick. This ensures even cooking and allows you to get crispy fries. Rinse the cut potatoes under cold water to remove excess starch, then pat them dry before seasoning and air frying.

Soaking (Optional)

While not necessary, some recipes suggest soaking the cut potatoes in cold water for an hour or up to 24 hours. Soaking can help achieve crispier French fries by managing the starch content. However, be sure to pat the potatoes completely dry before tossing them with oil and seasoning.

Remember to select potatoes that are firm and free of bruises or sprouting eyes. With the right variety, size, and preparation, you'll be on your way to making delicious French fries in your Pigeon Air Fryer!

Prepping the potatoes

The first step in making French fries is selecting the right potatoes. You’ll want to choose a potato variety that is starchy and has a low moisture content. Russet or Idaho potatoes are the best options for making crispy and flavorful French fries.

Once you’ve chosen your potatoes, it’s time to prepare them for frying. Start by washing the potatoes thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris. You can choose to peel the potatoes or leave the skin on, depending on your preference. Peeling the potatoes will result in fries with a smoother texture, while leaving the skin on will give them a rustic and earthy flavor.

After washing and peeling, cut the potatoes into uniform sticks. Aim for a thickness of about 1/4 to 1/2 inch to ensure even cooking. You can use a knife or a French fry cutter for this step. If you want thicker fries, go for the 1/2-inch thickness, but keep in mind that they may take longer to cook.

For crispy fries, it’s crucial to remove as much moisture as possible from the potatoes. Start by placing the cut potatoes in a bowl of cold water and let them soak for about 30 minutes. This step helps to remove excess starch from the potatoes, resulting in a crispier texture.

After soaking, drain the potatoes and pat them dry using a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Removing the excess moisture will prevent the fries from steaming and becoming soggy during the cooking process. Ensure that the potatoes are thoroughly dried before moving on to the next step.

Now that your potatoes are ready, it’s time to season them. In a bowl, mix together your preferred seasonings. Classic choices include salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. You can also experiment with different seasonings such as Cajun spice, rosemary, or even truffle salt to add a unique twist.

Soaking the potatoes

After washing and peeling the potatoes, cut them into uniform sticks, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. This ensures even cooking, and you can use a knife or a French fry cutter for this step. Soaking the potatoes helps remove excess starch, resulting in a crispier texture. Place the cut potatoes in a bowl of cold water and let them soak for about 30 minutes. You can also change the water halfway through for better results.

After soaking, drain the potatoes and ensure you pat them dry thoroughly using a clean kitchen or paper towel. This step is crucial as any residual moisture will cause the potatoes to steam and become soggy during cooking. Make sure the potatoes are completely dry before proceeding to the next step.

Now, you're ready to season the potatoes. In a bowl, mix your preferred seasonings. Classic choices include salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. However, feel free to experiment with different seasonings such as Cajun spice, rosemary, or truffle salt to add a unique twist to your fries.

Seasoning the potatoes

In a bowl, mix together your preferred seasonings. Classic choices include salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. These seasonings will enhance the flavour of your fries and make them taste great. You can also experiment with different seasonings to add a unique twist. For example, Cajun spice, rosemary, or even truffle salt can be used to give the fries a more complex flavour profile. Get creative and think about what flavours you enjoy!

Once you have mixed your chosen seasonings, toss the dried potato fries in a bit of oil and your chosen seasoning mix. You can use vegetable, canola, or olive oil, but it's important to use just enough to lightly coat the fries. Using too much oil may result in greasy fries. Aim for about 1-2 tablespoons of oil for every 2 pounds of potatoes. This step will promote browning and help the seasonings stick to the potatoes.

If you want to get creative with your seasonings, here are some ideas:

• Onion powder or garlic powder can be added over oiled fries for a flavour boost.
• Herbs de Provence salt will give the fries a rustic French twist.
• Sprinkling Cajun seasoning over the fries will give them a spicy kick, similar to Five Guys' famous French fries.
• For sinfully rich garlic butter fries, brush the fries with butter, diced garlic, and finely diced parsley during the final 15 minutes of cooking time.

Cooking the potatoes

Ingredients

To make French fries in the Pigeon Air Fryer, you will need the following ingredients:

• 2-3 large russet potatoes (unpeeled)
• 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Preparation

First, wash the potatoes thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris. You can choose to peel the potatoes or leave the skin on, depending on your preference. Leaving the skin on will give the fries a rustic and earthy flavor, while peeling them will result in a smoother texture.

Next, cut the potatoes into uniform sticks, aiming for a thickness of about 1/4 to 1/2 inch. This ensures even cooking. You can use a knife or a French fry cutter for this step. If you prefer thicker fries, go for a 1/2-inch thickness, but keep in mind that they may take longer to cook.

For crispy fries, it is important to remove as much moisture as possible from the potatoes. Place the cut potatoes in a bowl of cold water and let them soak for about 30 minutes. This step helps to remove excess starch, resulting in a crispier texture.

After soaking, drain the potatoes and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Removing the excess moisture will prevent the fries from steaming and becoming soggy during cooking. Ensure that the potatoes are completely dry before proceeding to the next step.

Seasoning

In a bowl, mix your preferred seasonings. Classic choices include salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. However, feel free to experiment with different seasonings such as Cajun spice, rosemary, or even truffle salt to add a unique twist to your fries.

Preheating the Air Fryer

Preheat your Pigeon Air Fryer to 375-400°F (190-200°C) for a few minutes. While waiting, toss the dried fries with the olive oil. Use just enough oil to lightly coat the fries, as using too much may result in greasiness. About 1-2 tablespoons of oil for every 2 pounds of potatoes is a good ratio. This will promote browning and help the seasonings stick to the potatoes.

Cooking the French Fries

Once the air fryer is preheated, spread the seasoned fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding the basket to ensure proper air circulation and even cooking. If necessary, cook the fries in multiple batches.

Cook the fries at 400°F (200°C) for about 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes to promote even cooking. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your fries and your desired level of crispiness. Keep a close eye on the fries during the final minutes of cooking to prevent burning.

Perfecting the Crunch

For extra crispy fries, you can employ a two-step cooking process. After the initial cooking time, remove the fries from the air fryer and let them cool slightly. Then, return them to the air fryer and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes at 400°F (200°C). This double cooking method will result in fries with a perfectly crunchy exterior and a fluffy interior.

Frequently asked questions