Air Fryer Instant Pot: Perfect Fries Every Time

Making French fries in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to create a delicious snack or side dish. This guide will show you how to make crispy, golden fries using an Instant Pot or a traditional air fryer. The process is simple: cut your potatoes into fries, season them, place them in the air fryer, and cook until crispy. You can also make frozen French fries in an air fryer, which is even faster and easier. So, whether you're using an Instant Pot or a traditional air fryer, you can enjoy delicious homemade French fries with minimal effort!

Choosing the right potatoes

Potato Varieties

When it comes to choosing the right type of potatoes for air fryer fries, there are a few varieties that stand out. The most commonly recommended types are Russet potatoes and Yukon Gold potatoes.

Russet potatoes, also known as large Russets or Russet Burbank, are ideal for fries due to their rich, buttery taste and high starch content. This variety has a classic potato flavour that many people love. They crisp up perfectly in the air fryer, resulting in that desirable crunchy texture.

Yukon Gold potatoes are another excellent option, offering a similar classic potato flavour. They have a buttery taste and a slightly lower starch content compared to Russets, but they still crisp up nicely.

Freshness and Quality

Always choose firm, unbruised potatoes with smooth, undamaged skin. Avoid potatoes that have started to sprout or show signs of decay. Look for potatoes that are similar in size, as this will help ensure even cooking.

Soaking and Starch Content

Before cooking your fries, it is essential to soak the potato slices in cold water for at least 15 minutes, or even up to an hour. Soaking helps remove excess starch, which is key to achieving that coveted crispiness. After soaking, be sure to dry the potatoes thoroughly with paper towels or a clean dishcloth to prevent sogginess.

Size and Shape

When cutting your potatoes into fries, don't stress too much about making them perfectly uniform in size. It's fine to have some bigger and some smaller, as long as you try to keep them relatively similar in thickness. This will help ensure even cooking so that all your fries turn out crispy and golden.

Peeling

Whether or not to peel your potatoes before making fries is a matter of personal preference. Peeling will give your fries a smoother texture, but leaving the skin on adds texture and flavour. If you decide to keep the skin on, be sure to wash the potatoes thoroughly and scrub off any dirt or residue.

Remember, the key to successful air fryer fries is choosing the right type of potatoes, preparing them properly, and ensuring they are dry before adding any seasonings or oil. With the right potatoes and a little bit of patience, you'll be well on your way to crispy, golden perfection!

Preparing the potatoes

Start by choosing the right type of potatoes. Russet potatoes are a great option for that classic potato flavour and their starch content helps them puff up and crisp in the air fryer. You can also use Yukon Gold potatoes, which work well too.

Next, decide whether you want to peel the potatoes or leave the skin on. It's a matter of personal preference. Leaving the skin on adds texture and flavour, while peeling them gives a smoother texture. If you choose to leave the skin on, make sure to wash the potatoes well, scrubbing off any dirt and removing any eyes or bruises.

Now, it's time to cut the potatoes into fries. You can use a mandoline or a sharp knife to slice them into fries. Don't worry too much about making them all the same size—a mix of bigger and smaller fries is fine! If you're using an air fryer lid, cut the potatoes into medium strips.

Once your potatoes are cut, it's time to soak them. Soaking helps remove excess starch, which will make your fries crisp up better. Place the cut potatoes in a bowl of cool water and let them sit for at least one hour, changing the water once or twice if possible.

After soaking, drain the water and pat the potatoes dry with a paper towel. This step is important because wet fries will turn out soggy. Make sure there is no residual moisture left on the potatoes.

Now it's time to season your fries. In a large bowl, toss the potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or herbs like rosemary or thyme to suit your taste. Make sure the potatoes are well coated with the oil and seasonings.

Finally, place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not stacked on top of each other. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the fries in batches. With these steps, your potatoes are now ready to be cooked to crispy perfection!

Seasoning the potatoes

Choosing the Right Potatoes:

Start by selecting the right type of potatoes. Russet potatoes are an excellent choice for their rich, buttery taste and starch content, which puffs and crisps beautifully in the air fryer. Alternatively, Yukon Gold potatoes also work well.

Preparing the Potatoes:

Slice the potatoes into fries of your desired thickness. You can use a mandoline for uniform, easy slicing, or cut them by hand—the size and shape don't have to be perfect! After slicing, place the potatoes in a bowl of cool water for about an hour to remove excess starch, which will help them crisp up during cooking. Then, pat them dry with a paper towel to ensure they're thoroughly dried.

Seasoning Options:

Now comes the fun part—seasoning! You can keep it classic with just salt and pepper, or get creative with various seasonings. Here are some ideas:

• Sea salt and pepper: Use high-quality sea salt, such as Maldon salt or powdered salt, for an even distribution of salty flavor.
• Garlic powder and onion powder: Add a bit more flavor to your fries with these savory powders.
• Herbs de Provence salt: For a rustic French twist, try this aromatic blend of herbs and spices.
• Cajun seasoning: Give your fries a spicy kick, reminiscent of Five Guys' famous fries.
• Butter, garlic, and parsley: In the final 15 minutes of cooking, brush your fries with melted butter, diced garlic, and finely chopped parsley for a sinfully rich flavor.
• Olive oil: Use a good-quality olive oil, or get creative with flavored oils like garlic oil or chili oil. This helps the seasonings stick to the potatoes.
• Parmesan and dried parsley: Sprinkle some grated parmesan and dried parsley over the fries for an extra savory touch.

Mixing the Seasonings:

Combine your chosen seasonings with the potatoes in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and toss well to ensure an even coating. You can also add a tablespoon of cornstarch to the mixture for extra crispiness, though this is optional.

Customization:

Feel free to experiment with different combinations of seasonings and create your own unique blend! You can also adjust the amount of seasoning to your taste preferences. Remember, the key to successful seasoning is to ensure that the potatoes are well-coated before placing them in the air fryer.

Cooking the fries

Now that you have your potatoes peeled, cut, seasoned, and ready to go, it's time to cook them!

If you're using an air fryer, preheat it to 375°F. If you're using an Instant Vortex, press Air Fry and set the time to 15 minutes and the temperature to 390°F.

Place the fries in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer if possible. If you need to cook a large batch, it's okay to place them in two layers, but make sure there is sufficient space for proper air circulation. You may need to cook the fries in batches.

Air fry the fries for 10-15 minutes at 375°F. If you're using an Instant Vortex, follow the instructions on the display and pay attention when the fryer tells you to move the basket to ensure even cooking. If you're using an Instant Pot, you will need to flip the fries halfway through.

If you're using a pressure cooker with an air fryer lid, place the trivet and the cooking basket with the sliced potatoes inside the pressure cooker's inner stainless steel pot. Place the lid on top, ensuring the pressure cooker is unplugged and the air fryer lid is plugged in. Set the temperature to 375°F and cook for 10 minutes. Then, toss the fries and cook for another 10 minutes. If you prefer crispier fries, add another 5 minutes to the cooking time.

Once the fries are done, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately. Enjoy your delicious, crispy homemade fries!

Dipping sauces

There are endless possibilities when it comes to choosing a dipping sauce for your fries. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Classic Sauces

These are the tried-and-true options that you likely already have in your fridge.

• Ketchup
• Mayonnaise
• Mustard
• Barbecue Sauce
• Ranch Dressing
• Hot Sauce

Fun Flavours

These sauces offer a unique twist on the classics or are inspired by international flavours.

• Fry Sauce (a combination of ketchup, mayonnaise, and a little pickle juice)
• Cilantro-lime Mayonnaise
• Bacon Mayonnaise
• Peanut Sauce
• Spicy Ketchup (with sriracha)
• Curry Mayonnaise
• Curry-Honey Glaze
• Salsa Golf (an Argentinian sauce made with mayonnaise, ketchup, and lemon juice)
• Chipotle Mayonnaise
• Pesto Mayonnaise
• Horseradish Mayonnaise
• Comeback Sauce
• Wasabi Mayonnaise
• Malt Vinegar
• Chilean Pebre Sauce (a mix of cilantro, lime juice, jalapeno, garlic, and olive oil)
• Honey-Mustard
• Raspberry Ketchup
• Sriracha-Honey Glaze
• Cranberry Salsa
• Thai-Style Sweet Chili Sauce
• Béarnaise Sauce
• Gochujang Sauce
• Herbed Sour Cream
• Nacho Cheese Sauce

Sweet Options

For those with a sweet tooth, these dessert-inspired dips will satisfy your cravings.

• Cream Cheese Frosting
• A Frosty (yes, the fast-food dessert!)
• Melted Chocolate

Creative Combos

These unexpected pairings might just become your new favourite way to enjoy fries.

• Ranch Dressing + Buffalo Sauce
• Honey + Hot Sauce
• Sour Cream & Onion Dip
• Poached Eggs (for dipping!)

Frequently asked questions