Make Crunchy Fries In An Air Fryer: Tips And Tricks

Making crunchy fries in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep-fried french fries. The air fryer circulates heat around each piece, crisping the outside while leaving the inside nice and fluffy. To make crunchy fries, cut the potatoes into even-sized sticks, soak them in water to remove excess starch, dry them, and then toss them in olive oil, salt, and pepper before placing them in the air fryer for 10-15 minutes.

Soak the potatoes in water for at least 30 minutes to help them crisp up

Soaking the potatoes in water before air frying is a crucial step in achieving the perfect level of crispiness for your fries. While air frying does produce crispier results than a conventional oven, it still doesn't quite match the deep-fried variety. Soaking the potatoes in water helps to remove excess starch, which is the key to achieving that coveted French fry crispiness and preventing the fries from sticking together.

You should aim to soak the potatoes in a bowl of ice-cold water for at least 30 minutes, but you can leave them for up to 24 hours if needed. The longer the soak, the more starch will be released, which will result in even crispier fries. Changing the water after 20-30 minutes is also recommended to further reduce starch levels.

After soaking, it is essential to thoroughly pat the potatoes dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. This step is crucial, as any residual moisture will lead to soggy fries. Once dry, you can proceed to season and cook the potatoes according to your preferred method.

By following this simple step of soaking the potatoes, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious, crispy air-fried French fries that rival even the deep-fried variety.

Use Russet potatoes for the perfect crisp with a fluffy interior

Russet potatoes are nice and starchy, making them a great choice for achieving the perfect crisp with a fluffy interior.

When selecting your potatoes, try to choose the longest ones, as smaller, more round potatoes will result in stubby fries that won't provide much interaction with ketchup or your condiment of choice. You can peel the potatoes if you prefer, but leaving the skin on adds texture and flavour, as well as extra fibre and nutrients. It also saves time!

Once you've selected your potatoes, cut them into fries of an even size, around 1/4-inch thick. This will ensure they cook at the same rate. Rinse the cut potatoes in cold water and pat them dry.

Next, place the potatoes in a bowl of cold water for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours if you're preparing them ahead of time. This will help to remove excess starch and will improve the crispiness of the fries. After soaking, be sure to pat the potatoes completely dry before adding them to the air fryer.

Now it's time to season your fries. Drizzle them with olive oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil, and toss to coat. You only need a small amount of oil—around a tablespoon or so. Then, add your chosen seasonings. Sea salt and pepper are classic choices, but you can also add garlic powder, paprika, rosemary, or thyme for extra flavour.

Preheat your air fryer to between 375 and 390°F. Add the fries to the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not touching. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the fries in batches. Air fry for 10 minutes, then shake or toss the fries to redistribute them. Fry for another 10 to 12 minutes, until they are golden and crispy. If any pieces seem too brown, remove them before continuing.

Once cooked, place the fries on a paper towel or kitchen towel to cool for a few minutes before serving. They will crisp up a little more as they cool. Enjoy your homemade crunchy fries!

Preheat the air fryer to 375-400°F

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the process of making crunchy fries. While some recipes suggest that preheating is not necessary, doing so will ensure your fries cook evenly and efficiently. The optimal temperature range for cooking fries is between 375-400°F.

Preheat your air fryer for about 15 minutes before adding the potatoes. This will ensure the appliance has reached the desired temperature and will produce the best results.

It is also important to ensure your potatoes are prepared correctly before cooking. Cut your potatoes into even-sized pieces, about 1/4-inch thick. Rinse them in cold water and pat them dry before adding oil, seasoning, and placing them in the air fryer.

By preheating your air fryer to the correct temperature and properly preparing your potatoes, you will achieve the desired crunchiness for your fries.

Season the potatoes with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, rosemary, thyme, or onion powder

Seasoning is an important step in making crunchy fries in an air fryer. You can season the potatoes with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, rosemary, thyme, or onion powder. You can also add fresh or dried rosemary to the mix. The key is to season the potatoes just before air-frying them. If you add salt too early, it will draw moisture out of the potatoes, and they won't be as crispy.

Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes

Wash the potatoes and cut them into even-sized fries, about 1/4-inch thick. You can peel the potatoes if you prefer, but leaving the skin on has several benefits: more flavour, a crispy texture, added fibre and nutrients, and it saves time!

Step 2: Soak the Potatoes (Optional)

Some recipes suggest soaking the cut potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours. This helps remove excess starch, which will make the fries crisp up more in the air fryer. After soaking, be sure to pat the potatoes completely dry with a paper towel.

Step 3: Season the Potatoes

Place the cut and dried potatoes in a medium bowl. Drizzle them with olive oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil. You only need about a tablespoon or so of oil, just enough to coat the potatoes. Toss the potatoes to ensure they are evenly coated.

Now it's time to add your chosen seasonings. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, rosemary, thyme, or onion powder, and toss again to ensure the potatoes are evenly coated. You can also try other seasonings like Cajun seasoning, chili powder, or chipotle powder.

Step 4: Air Fry the Potatoes

Preheat your air fryer to between 375-400°F (190-200°C). Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not touching each other. You may need to work in batches to avoid overcrowding.

Cook the potatoes for about 10-15 minutes, then shake or toss the basket to redistribute the fries. Cook for another 10-12 minutes, until they start to look dry and crispy. The exact timing will depend on your air fryer, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!

Remove the fries from the air fryer and place them in a serving bowl. Let them cool for a few minutes, then taste and adjust seasoning if needed. You can also toss them with additional herbs or spices if desired. Serve with your favourite dipping sauce and enjoy!

Cut the potatoes into 1/4-inch thick fries

To make fries that are crunchy in an air fryer, you'll want to cut the potatoes into 1/4-inch thick fries. This ensures even cooking and helps achieve the desired crispiness. Here are some detailed instructions on how to do this:

First, select the right type of potatoes. Russet potatoes are a popular choice due to their rich, buttery taste and starch content, which puffs and crisps perfectly in the air fryer. However, you can also use Yukon Gold potatoes, which will give your fries a creamier centre.

Before cutting, scrub the potatoes clean and decide whether to peel them or keep the skins on. Peeling is optional, as the skins can add texture and flavour, and they also contain vitamins. If you do peel them, use a sharp vegetable peeler to remove the skins.

Now, for the cutting. You can use a sharp knife or a mandoline to cut the potatoes into fries. Aim for a thickness of around 1/4 inch, but don't worry too much if some are slightly bigger or smaller. Just try to keep them relatively uniform in size to ensure even cooking.

If you're cutting multiple potatoes, try to make sure they are all roughly the same size. This will help them cook at the same rate and prevent over- or under-cooking.

Once you've cut your potatoes into fries, give them a quick rinse under cold water and then pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel. This step is important, as any residual moisture can affect the crispiness of your fries.

Now your potatoes are ready for the air fryer! But remember, the key to successful air frying is not to overcrowd the basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the fries in batches to ensure they have enough space to get crispy.

So, there you have it! Cutting your potatoes into 1/4-inch thick fries is a crucial step in making crunchy air-fried fries. By following these steps and adjusting your technique based on your air fryer and preferences, you'll be well on your way to crispy, golden perfection.

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