Air Fryer Potato Fries: Quick, Crispy, And Fresh!

Making fresh potato fries in an air fryer is a convenient and healthier alternative to deep-fried French fries. The air fryer's concentrated convection heat cooks the potatoes more quickly than a traditional oven, resulting in a crispy exterior and fluffy interior. Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving perfect air-fried potato fries.

Choosing the right potato

Go for Starchy Potatoes:

For air fryer French fries, it's best to choose potato varieties that are high in starch. Starch is key to achieving a crispy exterior and fluffy interior. The most recommended type is Russet potatoes, which are dense and have less moisture, helping to prevent sogginess.

Avoid Waxy Potatoes:

On the other hand, you should avoid waxy potatoes like red-skinned, new, or fingerling potatoes. Their high moisture and sugar content can lead to limp and soggy fries that darken too quickly during cooking.

Consider Yukon Golds:

If you're looking for an all-purpose potato that works well for frying, Yukon Gold potatoes are a good option. They have a creamier centre and can be used for a variety of dishes, giving you more versatility in the kitchen.

Peeling is Optional:

Whether or not to peel your potatoes is a matter of personal preference. Leaving the skin on can add texture and flavour, and it also saves you time in the preparation process. Just be sure to wash the potatoes thoroughly and scrub off any excess dirt.

Uniform Size for Even Cooking:

When cutting your potatoes into fries, aim for uniformity in size. This ensures that all the pieces cook at the same rate, so they turn out perfectly crispy without overcooking or burning.

Soaking in Cold Water:

Soaking your cut potatoes in cold water for at least an hour helps remove excess starch, which is key to achieving crispiness. Change the water after 20-30 minutes for even better results. Just be sure to dry the potatoes thoroughly before cooking.

Preparing the potato

The first step to making fresh potato fries in an air fryer is to select the right type of potato. Russet potatoes are the best option for French fries as they have thick skins and starchy, fluffy flesh, which helps them maintain their shape and provides a soft and tender inside. Alternatively, Yukon gold potatoes can be used, which will result in a creamier centre.

Once you have selected your potatoes, the next step is to cut them into fries. The ideal size is about 1/4-inch thick, and you should aim for all the fries to be of a similar size so that they cook at the same rate. You can choose to peel the potatoes or leave the skin on, as the skin helps them crisp up nicely during cooking.

After cutting the potatoes, it is recommended to soak them in cold water for at least an hour or up to 24 hours. This helps remove excess starch and will result in crispier fries. Make sure to pat the potatoes dry with a paper towel or clean kitchen towel after soaking and before cooking.

Next, you will need to season the potatoes. Drizzle them with olive oil, vegetable oil, or another oil of your choice, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. You can also add additional seasonings such as garlic powder, paprika, or herbs like rosemary or thyme for added flavour. Toss the potatoes in a bowl to ensure they are evenly coated with oil and seasonings.

Now your potatoes are ready to be cooked in the air fryer! Spread them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each fry. This allows the hot air to circulate and ensures even cooking. Cook the fries in batches if necessary, and air fry at 380-400°F for 10-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

Oil and seasoning

The amount of oil you will need depends on how many potatoes you are using. For two large or three medium potatoes, you will need about half a teaspoon of oil for drizzling or tossing. For three large potatoes, you will need two to three tablespoons of oil. You can use extra virgin olive oil, vegetable oil, canola oil, coconut oil, or avocado oil.

You can season your fries with salt and pepper to taste. For added flavour, you can also season with fresh or dried rosemary, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, Cajun seasoning, or parsley.

Before you add the oil and seasoning, make sure you have dried your potatoes thoroughly after rinsing or soaking them.

Air frying

Ingredients:

You will need the following ingredients:

• Russet potatoes (unpeeled)
• Olive oil or any other vegetable oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Other seasonings of your choice (e.g. garlic powder, paprika, rosemary)

Preparation:

• Cut the potatoes: Cut the potatoes into fries of uniform size, about 1/4-inch thick. You can peel the potatoes if you prefer, but leaving the skin on adds texture and flavour, and also saves time.
• Soak the potatoes: Soaking the potatoes in cold water helps remove excess starch and will make the fries crispier. You can soak them for about an hour or even up to 24 hours. After soaking, make sure to pat the potatoes dry with a paper towel or clean kitchen towel.
• Season the potatoes: In a medium bowl, toss the potatoes with oil and your desired seasonings. Make sure all surfaces of the potatoes are evenly coated.
• Preheat the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F.
• Arrange the potatoes in the air fryer basket: Place the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overcrowded. You may need to work in batches.
• Air fry: Air fry the potatoes for about 10-15 minutes, tossing or flipping them halfway through. The exact cooking time will depend on your air fryer and the thickness of your fries, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.
• Reheat if needed: If you are cooking in batches, you can place all the cooked fries back into the air fryer for 1-2 minutes to reheat and crisp up before serving.

Tips:

• Russet potatoes are the best type of potatoes for air fryer French fries due to their starchy, fluffy flesh.
• Soaking the potatoes in cold water is crucial for achieving the desired crispiness and preventing the fries from sticking together.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave some space between the fries to allow hot air to circulate and ensure even cooking.
• Taste a fry from each batch to ensure it is cooked to your desired level of doneness.
• For extra crispy fries, brush them with butter, diced garlic, and finely chopped parsley during the final minutes of cooking.

Serving suggestions

These air fryer French fries can be served as a snack, appetiser, or side dish. They are delicious on their own, but you can also serve them with a variety of dips and seasonings. Here are some ideas to elevate your air fryer potato fries:

Dips and Sauces

• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Mayo
• Chipotle sauce
• Chimichurri
• Vegan cheese
• Ranch dressing
• Onion ring dipping sauce
• Fry sauce
• BBQ sauce
• Aioli
• Cheese sauce
• Spicy whipped feta
• Homemade blue cheese dip
• French fry sauce
• Curry sauce

Seasonings and Spices

• Salt and pepper
• Fresh herbs
• Chili powder
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Herbs de Provence salt
• Cajun seasoning
• Parsley
• Oregano
• Rosemary
• Thyme

As a Side

Air fryer French fries pair well with many dishes, especially burgers and sandwiches:

• Veggie burgers
• Portobello mushroom burger
• Crispy cauliflower Po' boy sandwich
• BBQ jackfruit sandwiches
• Juicy burger
• Classic BLT sandwich

Frequently asked questions