Air-Frying Tricks: Crispy Fried Food, Healthy And Quick

Air fryers are a great way to make crispy, crunchy fries with less oil and fewer calories than deep-fried alternatives. The process is simple: cut potatoes into fries, soak them in water to remove excess starch, dry them, add oil and seasoning, and then cook in the air fryer. The result is a delicious, healthy alternative to traditional fries.

Soak potatoes in water to remove excess starch

Soaking potatoes in water before frying them in an air fryer is a crucial step in achieving the perfect crispiness of your fries. Here's a detailed guide on why and how you should do it:

The process of soaking potatoes in water helps to remove excess starch. Starch is a type of carbohydrate found in potatoes and other starchy vegetables. While starch is essential for the structure and texture of potatoes, too much starch can prevent your fries from achieving the desired crispiness. By soaking the potatoes, you are washing away some of the surface starch, which will help them crisp up more effectively in the air fryer.

The soaking time can vary depending on your preference and schedule. The minimum recommended soaking time is about 30 minutes to an hour. However, if you have the time, you can soak them for up to 24 hours. The longer soaking time won't cause any harm and will only help remove more starch, resulting in even crispier fries.

Steps to Soak Potatoes:

• Slice the Potatoes: Before soaking, cut your potatoes into your desired fry shape and size. You can use a knife or a mandoline slicer to get evenly sized fries. Try to aim for a thickness of around 1/4 to 1/2 inch, as this will ensure even cooking.
• Submerge in Water: Place the sliced potatoes in a large bowl or container and cover them completely with cool water. Make sure they are fully submerged.
• Change Water (Optional): If you are soaking for an extended period, such as a few hours or overnight, it is a good idea to change the water at least once. This will help maintain the effectiveness of the process.
• Dry the Potatoes: After soaking, remove the potatoes from the water and pat them dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. It is essential to ensure they are thoroughly dried before proceeding to the next step, as any residual moisture can affect the frying process.

Additional Tips:

• Single Layer in Air Fryer: When placing the potatoes in the air fryer, spread them out in a single layer as much as possible. This allows hot air to circulate around each fry, promoting even cooking and crispiness. You may need to cook in batches to avoid overcrowding.
• Shake the Basket: During the frying process, remember to shake the air fryer basket a few times to ensure even cooking and prevent the potatoes from sticking together.
• Adjust Cooking Time: Keep an eye on your fries and adjust the cooking time as needed. The exact timing will depend on your air fryer and the thickness of your fries. Thinner fries will cook faster, so you may need to reduce the cooking time slightly.
• Rest in Warm Oven: If you are cooking multiple batches, place the cooked fries on a wire rack in a warm oven (around 200°F or 93°C) to keep them warm and crispy until you are ready to serve.

Dry potatoes thoroughly before cooking

After scrubbing your potatoes, it is important to dry them thoroughly before cooking. This is a crucial step in achieving the desired crispiness of your air-fried potatoes. Here are some tips to ensure your potatoes are sufficiently dried:

• Use a paper towel to pat the potatoes dry after scrubbing them. This will absorb any residual moisture and ensure that the potatoes are no longer wet to the touch.
• Allow the potatoes to air dry by placing them on a kitchen towel. For best results, rotate the potatoes after 15 minutes so that both sides of the potato skin can dry evenly.
• If you are short on time, aim to scrub the potatoes at least 30 minutes before cooking. This will give them some time to air dry while you prepare the rest of your ingredients and seasonings.
• If you choose to soak your potatoes in cold water before cooking (which is recommended for optimal crispiness), be sure to pat them completely dry afterward. Use a paper towel or a clean kitchen towel to absorb any excess water.
• Once your potatoes are dry, it's time to add oil and seasonings. This step is crucial as it helps to enhance the flavor and crispiness of your potatoes.

Remember, the drying process is an important step that should not be rushed. By taking the time to properly dry your potatoes, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious, crispy air-fried potatoes!

Use a basket-style air fryer

Prep the Potatoes

First, decide whether you want to peel your potatoes. Leaving the skin on can add texture, flavour, and nutrients, and it saves time. If you do decide to peel them, use a sharp knife or a mandoline to carefully remove the skin.

Next, cut the potatoes into fries. For the best results, cut them into fries that are roughly the same size and shape. This will ensure that they cook evenly. Aim for fries that are about 1/4-inch thick. You can use a mandoline or a sharp knife to cut the potatoes.

Soak the Potatoes

Once you've cut your potatoes, place them in a large bowl and cover them with cold water. Let them soak for at least an hour, or even overnight if you have the time. This will help to remove excess starch and will result in crispier fries.

Season the Potatoes

After soaking, drain the water and pat the potatoes dry with a paper towel or clean kitchen towel. Make sure to remove as much moisture as possible. Then, place the potatoes in a bowl and drizzle them with olive oil. Toss the potatoes to coat them evenly, then season with salt and pepper, or your desired spices and herbs.

Air Fry

Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overlapping. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the potatoes in batches.

Air fry at 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-20 minutes, flipping the potatoes 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.

Once the fries are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately.

Tips

• If you want to get creative with your seasonings, try onion powder, garlic powder, Cajun seasoning, or Italian seasoning.
• For extra crispy fries, toss them with a couple of tablespoons of cornstarch before adding the oil and seasonings.
• If you are cooking in batches, you can keep the first batch warm by placing them on a baking sheet in a warm oven (around 200-250 degrees Fahrenheit) while the rest of the fries cook.
• For best results, shake the air fryer basket or toss the fries with tongs a few times during cooking to ensure even cooking.
• You can also make sweet potato fries in the air fryer! Simply adjust the cooking time as needed, as sweet potatoes may cook faster than regular potatoes.

Cook in a single layer to avoid overcrowding

When cooking fries in an air fryer, it's important to avoid overcrowding the appliance. This is because air fryers work by circulating hot air around the food, and if there isn't enough space for the hot air to reach all the fries, they will end up soggy instead of crispy.

To avoid overcrowding, cook the fries in batches. First, cut your potatoes into fries of a similar size so that they cook evenly. Then, soak them in water to remove excess starch and pat them dry. Next, toss the fries in a bowl with a small amount of oil and your chosen seasonings.

Now your fries are ready for the air fryer! Place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are all on the same level and not stacked on top of each other. If your air fryer is too small to fit all the fries in a single layer, simply cook them in batches. Set the air fryer to 375-400°F (190-200°C) and cook for 13-20 minutes, shaking or flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy.

If you are making fries in batches, you can reheat the first batch in the air fryer while the second batch cooks. Simply add all the cooked fries to the air fryer (it's okay if they're crowded now) for 1-2 minutes to reheat.

Reheat in the air fryer if needed

If you have any leftover fries, you can easily reheat them in the air fryer. This method is much better than using a microwave, which will make your fries soggy.

To reheat your fries, preheat your air fryer to 350–375 °F. Place your fries in a single layer in the fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap too much. This will allow the hot air to circulate and ensure your fries heat evenly. Reheat for 3–5 minutes, or until they reach your desired crispiness.

If you're reheating a large batch of fries, you may need to do this in batches. You can also spritz your fries with a little oil before reheating for a crispier finish.

Frequently asked questions