Air-Fryer Fried Chicken: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryers are a great way to make crispy, crunchy fries with minimal oil. The cooking 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 healthier, great-tasting alternative to deep-fried chips.

Soak the potatoes in water to remove excess starch

Soaking potatoes in water is a great way to remove excess starch. This is a helpful step in achieving the crispiest potatoes. The removal of excess starch prevents the potatoes from having a gummy or sticky texture on the outside and ensures they cook evenly. It is best to use cold water as hot water would react with the starch, activating it and making it harder to separate from the potatoes.

The length of time you soak the potatoes depends on how much time you have. If you are in a hurry, a quick soak of the diced potatoes in cold water before cooking will still help to remove some of the starch and improve the crispiness of the potatoes. However, if you have more time, you can soak the potatoes for 30 minutes or even overnight for maximum starch removal.

After soaking the potatoes, it is important to pat them dry with a paper towel or kitchen towel before adding them to the air fryer. This is because the potatoes need to be dry for the air fryer to work effectively and achieve the desired level of crispiness.

When it comes to the type of potatoes, Russet, Yukon Gold, Yellow, Red, and Baby potatoes are all great options for air frying. These varieties will crisp up beautifully, with the Yukon Gold and Yellow potatoes achieving a deeper golden color due to their lower starch and higher sugar content.

So, the next time you're making fried potatoes in the air fryer, remember to soak those potatoes in cold water to remove excess starch and achieve the perfect crispiness!

Dry the potatoes and spray with oil

To make fried potatoes in an air fryer, it is important to start with dry potatoes. If you are using russet, red skin, or sweet potatoes, scrub any residual dirt from the potatoes before cooking. If you are in a hurry, pat the potatoes dry with a paper towel, then set them on a kitchen towel, rotating them after 15 minutes so that both sides of the potato skin can dry. If you have more time, scrub the potatoes at least 30 minutes before cooking.

Once your potatoes are dry, it's time to cut them into your desired shape and size. If you want to get creative, you can cut them into wedges, thin fries, thick-cut fries, or even leave them uncut. If you are short on time, cutting them into smaller pieces will help them cook faster.

After cutting, it is essential to coat your potatoes with oil. This step will ensure that your seasonings stick to the potatoes and help them crisp up in the air fryer. You can use an oil spray or toss the potatoes in a bowl with olive oil. Make sure to coat them evenly.

Now, it's time to season your potatoes. You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or you can get creative with various seasonings like Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, or even a packet of dry ranch seasoning. Feel free to experiment with different combinations to find your favorite flavor profile.

Once your potatoes are dry, cut, oiled, and seasoned, they are ready to be placed in the air fryer. Arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each potato to ensure even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches.

Follow the instructions on your air fryer for the ideal cooking time and temperature. As a guide, cooking at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes, stirring them, and then cooking for another 8-10 minutes should do the trick. Keep an eye on them, and remove them from the air fryer when they are golden brown and crisp on the outside, and tender on the inside.

Enjoy your delicious, crispy, and healthy fried potatoes!

Cook in a single layer in the air fryer basket

When cooking fries in an air fryer, it is important to ensure they are not overcrowded in the basket. This will ensure they cook evenly and end up crispy, not soggy. To do this, arrange the fries in a single layer in the basket, working in batches if necessary. This means you will have to cook the fries in smaller amounts, but it will be worth it for the crunch!

For example, if you are using a Ninja Air Fryer, you will need to cook the fries in batches. The same goes for the Instant Vortex air fryer, which is a basket-style fryer. The Breville Air Fryer is another option, but it doesn't get food as crispy. If you have a Cuisinart Air Fryer, be aware that it tends to run hot, so you might need to adjust the temperature.

If you are cooking frozen fries, you don't need to defrost them first. Just toss them with salt and pepper (and cooking spray, if you like), lay them in a single layer in the basket, and air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket once halfway through.

Use russet potatoes for classic french fry flavour

Russet potatoes are ideal for making classic French fries. Since they are dense, they don't contain as much water inside, which allows them to get extra crispy.

Ingredients:

• 2-3 large russet potatoes
• 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil
• Sea salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

• Using a mandoline, slice the potatoes into fries about 1/4-inch thick. You don't need to worry too much about making them all the same size, but try to keep them relatively consistent.
• Place the potato slices in a bowl of cold water and let them soak for at least one hour, or even overnight. This helps to remove excess starch, which will give you crispier fries.
• After soaking, drain the water and pat the potatoes dry with a paper towel or clean dish towel.
• Drizzle the potatoes with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss to coat evenly.
• Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not touching each other. You will likely need to cook them in multiple batches.
• Air fry at 375-400°F for 12-20 minutes, tossing or flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy. 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.
• If you are cooking multiple batches, place the cooked fries on a baking sheet lined with paper towels and keep them in a warm oven (no hotter than 250°F) while you cook the remaining batches.
• Once all the batches are done, toss them all back into the air fryer together (you don't need to worry about a single layer this time) and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to warm them up and make sure they are all crispy.
• Serve your fries hot with your favourite dipping sauce!

Reheat in the air fryer if needed

If you have leftover fries, you can reheat them in the air fryer to restore their crispiness. The air fryer is an excellent and easy way to reheat fries and give them a fresh-from-the-fryer crunch. Here are some tips to reheat fries in the air fryer:

• Preheat your air fryer to 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Arrange the fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray. Avoid overcrowding to allow for proper air circulation. You may need to cook in batches.
• For thinner or skinnier fries, cook for about 2-3 minutes. For thicker fries, they may take a minute or two longer to heat up and get crispy.
• If you want to add more flavor, you can spritz the fries with a light layer of a neutral cooking oil before reheating. This will give them a just-out-of-the-fryer crust.
• Check on your fries mid-cook to ensure they don't overcook. The timing will depend on the thickness of the fries and the model of your air fryer.
• If you have a large amount of fries to reheat, consider doing it in batches to ensure even cooking.

Frequently asked questions