Air Fryer French Fries: The Perfect Crispy Treat

The Power Air Fryer Oven Elite is a versatile kitchen appliance that allows you to cook a variety of dishes with less oil and fat. It uses hot air technology to fry, bake, grill, and roast, resulting in delicious meals that are lower in calories but still packed with flavour. One of the most popular dishes to make in an air fryer is French fries.

To make French fries in the Power Air Fryer Oven Elite, start by selecting the right potatoes. Russet or Idaho potatoes are ideal due to their starchy and low-moisture content. Wash the potatoes thoroughly and decide whether to peel them or leave the skin on, depending on your preference. Cut the potatoes into uniform sticks, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Soak the cut potatoes in cold water for 30 minutes to remove excess starch, then drain and pat them dry.

Next, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Toss the dried potatoes with a small amount of oil, such as olive or vegetable oil, and season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, or paprika. Spread the seasoned potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring proper air circulation. Cook the fries at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally for even cooking.

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. Serve your French fries immediately with your favourite dipping sauces, such as ketchup, mayonnaise, or aioli.

Choosing the right potatoes

Potato Variety

The ideal potatoes for air fryer French fries are those with a high starch content and low moisture content. Russet potatoes, also known as Idaho potatoes, are the best option for achieving crispy and flavorful fries. Their high starch content results in a crispy exterior and a drier, fluffier interior, similar to the fries you'd find in a restaurant.

Alternatively, you can use Yukon Gold potatoes, which are waxier and will give you a firmer and creamier texture on the inside. Yukon Gold potatoes have a naturally buttery taste, resulting in French fries with a richer flavor.

Avoid using waxy potatoes like red or new potatoes, as they have a higher moisture content and won't yield the desired crispy texture.

Potato Preparation

Once you've selected the right type of potatoes, it's important to prepare them properly. 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. Leaving the skin on adds a rustic, earthy flavor and a great crispy texture, as well as extra fiber and nutrients.

After washing, cut the potatoes into uniform sticks with a thickness of about 1/4 to 1/2 inch. This ensures even cooking. You can use a knife, a mandoline, or a French fry cutter for this step. Thicker cuts will result in a longer cooking time.

To achieve the perfect crispness, it's essential to remove excess moisture from the potatoes. Place the cut potatoes in a bowl of cold or hot water and let them soak for about 10 to 30 minutes. This step helps remove excess starch, resulting in a crispier texture. After soaking, drain the potatoes and pat them dry with a clean kitchen or paper towel.

Potato Storage

If you're preparing the potatoes ahead of time, you can store them in the refrigerator until you're ready to cook. Make sure to keep them completely submerged in cold water to prevent oxidation and discoloration. Drain and pat the potatoes dry before placing them in the air fryer.

By choosing the right type of potatoes and following these preparation tips, you'll be well on your way to making delicious and crispy French fries in your 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. Yukon gold potatoes are also a good option, resulting in fries with a firmer, creamier inside and a rich, buttery taste. Avoid using waxy potatoes like red or new potatoes, as they have a higher water content and won’t yield the same crispy texture.

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. Leaving the skin on will give the fries a rustic and earthy flavor, while peeling the potatoes will result in a smoother texture.

After washing, it’s time to 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, a French fry cutter, or a mandoline for this step. If you want thicker fries, go for a thickness of 1/2 inch, but keep in mind that they may take longer to cook.

For crispy fries, it’s important to remove as much moisture as possible from the potatoes. Place the cut potatoes in a bowl of cold or hot water and let them soak for about 10 to 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 cooking.

Now that your potatoes are ready, you can season them with your preferred spices and herbs. Classic choices include salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. You can also experiment with different seasonings such as Cajun spice, onion powder, rosemary, truffle salt, or even curry powder to add a unique twist to your fries.

Seasoning the potatoes

Choosing the Right Seasonings

The beauty of seasoning is that it allows you to customise the flavour of your French fries. While classic choices include salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika, you can also experiment with various combinations. For example, you can try Cajun spice, rosemary, truffle salt, onion powder, dried dill, Italian seasoning, or even a pinch of cayenne pepper for an extra kick. Don't be afraid to mix and match to find your perfect blend.

Preparing the Potatoes for Seasoning

Before you apply the seasoning, it is essential to properly prepare the potatoes. Start by washing them thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris. You can then decide whether to peel the potatoes or leave the skin on. Peeling will result in a smoother texture, while leaving the skin on adds a rustic, earthy flavour. After washing and peeling (if desired), cut the potatoes into uniform sticks, aiming for a thickness of about 1/4 to 1/2 inch. This ensures even cooking and the perfect crispiness.

The Importance of Drying

Before seasoning, it is crucial to thoroughly dry your potatoes. After cutting them into sticks, place the potatoes in a bowl of cold water for about 30 minutes to remove excess starch. Then, drain the potatoes and pat them dry with a clean kitchen or paper towel. This step is essential, as any remaining moisture can cause the potatoes to steam and become soggy during cooking. Make sure your potatoes are nice and dry before moving on to the next step.

Coating the Potatoes with Oil

Once your potatoes are dry, it's time to add a bit of oil. You can use olive oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil – just make sure not to use too much to avoid greasy fries. A light coating of about 1-2 tablespoons of oil for every 2 pounds of potatoes should be enough. This step not only promotes browning but also helps the seasonings stick to the potatoes. Toss the potatoes gently to ensure an even coating of oil.

Applying the Seasonings

Now comes the fun part – applying your chosen seasonings! Mix your selected spices in a bowl, and then sprinkle them over the potatoes. Toss the potatoes again to ensure an even coating of seasonings. Be generous, as you want each fry to be packed with flavour. At this stage, you can also add a sprinkle of salt to enhance the flavours.

Finalising the Seasoning

After seasoning, give the potatoes a final toss to ensure the seasonings are well distributed. You can also use tongs to gently turn and flip the potatoes, ensuring each fry is coated. If you prefer a more intense flavour, you can let the potatoes sit for a few minutes to absorb the seasonings. This step is optional but can add an extra punch of flavour to your fries.

Tips for Perfectly Seasoned Potatoes

• Be creative with your seasonings! Try different combinations to find your signature blend.
• Don't be afraid to experiment with different types of oil, such as garlic oil or chilli oil, to add a unique flavour to your fries.
• If you're making a larger batch, consider seasoning in smaller batches to ensure each fry is well-coated.
• Always taste a fry before serving to ensure the seasoning is just right. You can always add more seasonings if needed.
• If you like your fries extra crispy, consider using the two-step cooking method described earlier, as this will also enhance the flavour.

Cooking 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. Yukon gold potatoes are another option, but they will result in a firmer and creamier inside texture.

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 a smoother texture, while leaving the skin on will add 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, you can cut them to a thickness of 1/2 inch, but keep in mind that they may take longer to cook.

For crispy fries, it’s important to remove as much moisture as possible from the potatoes. Place the cut potatoes in a bowl of cold or hot water and let them soak for about 10 minutes to 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 cooking. Ensure that the potatoes are completely dry before proceeding to the next step.

Now, it’s time to season the potatoes. 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 truffle salt to add a unique twist.

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F to 400°F for a few minutes. While waiting, toss the dried fries with a small amount of oil. You can use vegetable, canola, or olive oil, but be careful not to use too much, as this may result in greasy fries. Aim for about 1-2 tablespoons of oil for every 2 pounds of potatoes. Lightly coating the fries will promote browning and help the seasonings stick.

Once the air fryer is preheated, spread the seasoned fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket. It’s important not to overcrowd the basket to ensure proper air circulation and even cooking. If necessary, cook the fries in multiple batches.

Cook the fries at 375°F to 400°F for about 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally 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.

For extra crispy fries, you can use 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 the same temperature. This double cooking method will result in fries with a perfectly crunchy exterior and a fluffy interior.

Serving and enjoying

Once your French fries are cooked to perfection, season them with a sprinkle of salt or any other seasoning of your choice. It is best to serve them immediately while they are still hot and crispy. French fries go well with your favourite sauces like ketchup, mayonnaise, aioli, BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, cheese sauce, or onion ring dipping sauce. You can also enjoy them on their own or as a side dish with burgers, sandwiches, or chicken.

If you have any leftovers, you can reheat the French fries in the air fryer at 375°F or in a preheated oven at 400°F. Spread the leftover fries in a single layer on a hot pan or in the air fryer basket and re-crisp.

Storage

Place leftover fries in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze fries in a single layer on a baking sheet until they are solid. Then, transfer the frozen fries to an airtight, freezer-safe storage container or zip-top bag for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen as desired.

Frequently asked questions