Air-Fryer Waffle Fries: Crispy, Fresh, And Easy!

Waffle fries are a delicious snack and an even better side dish. They are crispy, crunchy, and pair well with a variety of dips and sauces. Making them in an air fryer is easy and quick. All you need are frozen waffle fries, an air fryer, and optionally, some olive oil or avocado oil spray, and salt to taste. You can also make them from scratch by cutting potatoes into the right shape and size, boiling them, and then air-frying them.

Choosing the right potatoes

Types of Potatoes

• Russet Potatoes: These potatoes are ideal for air frying as they crisp up beautifully with a pale golden color. Their insides become soft and fluffy, with a mild flavor that pairs well with various dishes.
• Yukon Gold or Yellow Potatoes: Yukon gold or yellow potatoes are a popular choice for air frying due to their lower starch and higher sugar content. They crisp up perfectly and develop a deeper golden color. While their crisp may be slightly softer than russets, their insides remain creamy and full of flavor.
• Red Potatoes: Red potatoes will roast to an even darker golden brown due to their higher sugar and lower starch content. They will be crispy when freshly cooked but will soften over time. Their insides are creamy and soft, making them a tasty option.
• Baby Potatoes or New Potatoes: These are regular potatoes harvested early, with a high sugar content, making them ideal for air frying. They hold their shape well and roast perfectly. However, they can be challenging to find in grocery stores as they are somewhat seasonal.

Tips for Selecting Potatoes:

• When choosing potatoes, look for those that are uniform in size and free from eyes and blemishes.
• Potatoes with a higher sugar content, such as baby potatoes or new potatoes, are excellent choices for air frying as they tend to crisp up nicely.
• If you want to leave the skin on your potatoes (which can provide a nice crispy texture), be sure to wash them thoroughly to remove any dirt or residual pesticides.
• If you plan to peel your potatoes, consider leaving the skin on while cooking to protect the potato from over-crisping or burning. You can always remove the skin before serving.
• If you have the time, consider soaking your cut potatoes in cold water for 30 minutes to overnight. This helps remove excess starch, allowing them to crisp up even more in the air fryer. Just be sure to pat them dry before cooking!

Cutting the potatoes into waffle shapes

To cut your potatoes into waffle shapes, you'll need a sharp chef's knife and a crinkle cutter. First, rinse and wash your potatoes. You can choose to peel the potatoes or keep the skin on. Next, place the potato lengthwise on a cutting board. Using the crinkle cutter, slice one edge of the potato. Then, rotate the potato 90 degrees and make another cut with the crinkle cutter, creating a cross-hatched waffle pattern. Repeat this process for the remaining potatoes.

It's important to be consistent with the thickness of the fries as you cut them. The more even the shape and size, the better the consistency of the final result. This technique will give your potatoes that distinctive waffle shape, perfect for air fryer waffle fries!

Boiling the potatoes

Step 1: Wash the potatoes

Rinse and wash the potatoes well. You can choose to peel the potatoes or keep the skin on, depending on your preference.

Step 2: Cut the potatoes

Place the potato lengthwise on a cutting board. Using a crinkle cutter, slice one edge of the potato. Then, rotate the potato 90 degrees and make another cut with the crinkle cutter, creating a cross-hatched waffle pattern. Repeat this process for the remaining potatoes.

Step 3: Soak the potatoes

Add the cut potatoes to a large bowl and fill it with cold water. Allow the potatoes to soak for about 25 minutes. This step helps to remove excess starch, ensuring crispier fries. If you're short on time, you can soak the potatoes until the water boils.

Step 4: Boil the potatoes

While the potatoes are soaking, set a large pot of water to boil on the stove. Once the water reaches a rolling boil, carefully add the soaked potatoes and cook them for 3-5 minutes. The potatoes should be partially cooked but still firm. It is important to not overcook them at this stage. Only add as many potatoes to the pot as will fit comfortably in your air fryer basket in a single layer.

Seasoning the potatoes

The key to making delicious waffle fries in an air fryer is to season the potatoes effectively. Here are some detailed instructions and tips to help you achieve the perfect seasoning:

Choose the right potatoes

Select large yellow potatoes, preferably with a consistent thickness to ensure even cooking. The chosen potatoes should be firm and not too old, as older potatoes tend to have a higher starch content, which can affect the crispiness of the final product.

Prepare the potatoes

Wash the potatoes thoroughly to remove any dirt or residue. You can choose to peel the potatoes or keep the skin on, depending on your preference. A peeled potato will result in a more uniform texture and colour, while leaving the skin on can add a rustic appearance and extra fibre to your dish.

Cut the potatoes

Place the potato lengthwise on a cutting board. Using a crinkle cutter or a sharp chef's knife, cut one edge of the potato. Then, rotate the potato 90 degrees and make another cut to create a crosshatch waffle pattern. Repeat this process for the remaining potatoes, ensuring that the thickness of the fries remains consistent.

Soak the potatoes

Fill a large bowl with cold water and add the cut potatoes. Allow them to soak for about 25 minutes. Soaking helps to remove excess starch, which can inhibit crispiness. If you are short on time, you can soak the potatoes until the water comes to a boil.

Boil the potatoes

While the potatoes are soaking, set a large pot of water to boil. Once the water reaches a rolling boil, add the soaked potatoes and cook for 3-5 minutes. The potatoes should be partially cooked but still firm. Be sure to add only enough potatoes to fit comfortably in your air fryer basket in a single layer.

Dry the potatoes

After boiling, drain the potatoes on paper towels and gently pat them dry. It is important to remove any excess moisture before proceeding to the next step.

Coat with oil

Transfer the potatoes to a large bowl and coat them with olive oil or avocado oil. Gently toss the potatoes to ensure an even coating. You can also use an oil spray for a lighter coating. The oil will help the potatoes achieve a crispy texture and a golden colour when cooked.

Season with salt

At this stage, you can season the potatoes with salt to taste. Salt will enhance the natural flavour of the potatoes and can be adjusted according to your preference. You can use regular table salt or seasoned salt for an extra flavour boost.

Arrange in the air fryer

Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. This arrangement allows the hot air to circulate evenly and promotes even cooking and crispiness.

Cook the potatoes

Set your air fryer to Air Fry mode at 400°F and cook the potatoes for 15 minutes. If you are cooking multiple batches, you may need to adjust the timing for subsequent batches.

Refresh the fries

Once all the batches are cooked, you can toss all the fries back into the air fryer basket to refresh them. Set the air fryer to 375°F–390°F and cook for an additional 3–5 minutes. This step ensures that your waffle fries are crispy and hot when served.

Final seasoning

After refreshing the fries, taste them and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add more salt or your favourite spices to suit your preference. You can also try tossing the fries with chopped herbs like rosemary or thyme for a savoury twist.

Remember, the key to successful seasoning is to trust your taste buds and adjust the amounts of salt and spices to your liking. Enjoy experimenting with different flavours and techniques to find your perfect waffle fry recipe!

Reheating the potatoes

If you have any waffle fries leftover, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. To reheat, set your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and place the fries inside in a single layer. Heat for 2-3 minutes, or until warmed through.

For reheating in the air fryer, a temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit is also recommended. This should take about 5 minutes.

It is not recommended to reheat the waffle fries in the microwave, as they can become soggy.

Frequently asked questions