Making Fries With A Tefal Air Fryer: A Quick Guide

Air fryers are a great way to make healthier, crispy, and delicious fries with little to no oil added. You can use fresh or frozen potatoes, and the cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the chips and the type of potato used. The Tefal Easy Fry air fryer range offers various models with different capacities, features, and price points to suit your needs. Whether you're cooking for a large family or looking for a compact option, Tefal has an air fryer that can help you make perfect fries every time.

Wash and cut potatoes into fries

To make fries in a Tefal air fryer, you'll first want to wash and cut your potatoes into fries. For the best results, start by washing the whole potatoes in plenty of water. Then, peel the potatoes and cut them into fries of equal thickness—no more than 13 mm in square thickness is recommended. Try to keep them as evenly sized as possible for even cooking. Rinse the cut fries thoroughly in water and then drain them well.

It's important to remove excess starch from the potatoes to prevent them from sticking together during cooking. To do this, wash the cut fries twice in a bowl of water before cooking. Then, use a clean tea towel to thoroughly dry the potatoes. For the crispiest chips, it is essential to ensure the potatoes are completely dry before cooking.

Dry fries thoroughly

Drying your fries thoroughly is an essential step in the process of making fries in a Tefal air fryer. This step ensures that your fries turn out crispy and prevents them from becoming soggy. Here is a detailed guide on how to dry your fries effectively:

Firstly, after cutting your potatoes into fries of your desired thickness, it is important to rinse them thoroughly in water. This step helps to remove excess starch and prevents the fries from sticking together during the cooking process. It is recommended to wash the potatoes in a bowl of water, ensuring that the water runs clear.

Next, use a clean and absorbent tea towel to pat the potatoes completely dry. Make sure to remove as much moisture as possible at this stage. You can also use paper towels to gently pat and blot the potatoes, ensuring that no water remains.

If you are using frozen chips, it is not necessary to rinse them. However, it is still important to ensure that they are thoroughly defrosted and dried before placing them in the air fryer. Frozen chips already contain oil, so adding more oil before cooking can make them soggy.

Once your potatoes are dried, you can proceed to the next steps of seasoning and placing them in the air fryer. Remember, drying your fries thoroughly is a crucial step in achieving the perfect crispy texture, so take your time with this step and ensure that no moisture is left on the potatoes.

Add oil and seasoning

After cutting your potatoes into fries, you'll want to add some oil and seasoning to ensure they turn out tasty and crispy.

Firstly, pat the cut potatoes dry with a paper towel or clean tea towel. This step is important as it helps to remove any excess starch and ensures that your chips will be crispy. Then, place the chips in a bowl and drizzle them evenly with oil. You can use a variety of oils, such as olive oil, rapeseed oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, or peanut oil. Use about 1-2 teaspoons of oil for every pound of potatoes.

Once the fries are coated in oil, it's time to add the seasoning. Sprinkle salt and pepper (and/or garlic powder, if you like) evenly over the potatoes. You can also add other seasonings of your choice, such as paprika, cayenne pepper, or dried herbs. Gently toss the potatoes to ensure they are evenly coated with oil and seasoning.

Tips for the Perfect Fries:

• Try to keep the fries as evenly sized as possible for even cooking.
• Make sure the potatoes are completely dry before adding oil and seasoning.
• Don't be tempted to add too much oil, a light coating is enough.
• If you want to reduce the calories even further, try using an organic olive oil cooking spray instead of regular oil.

Place fries in the air fryer basket

When placing fries in the air fryer basket, it's important to ensure they are arranged in an even layer. This helps to promote even cooking, so you don't end up with some fries overcooked and others undercooked. Depending on the size of your air fryer basket and the quantity of fries you're preparing, you may need to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding the basket.

Before placing the fries in the basket, it's crucial to prepare them properly. Start by washing the potatoes thoroughly to remove any dirt or residue. Then, cut the potatoes into fries of uniform size and thickness. The size and thickness will depend on your preference for thinner, crispier fries or thicker, softer ones. Aim for a thickness of around 1/4" for that classic French fry texture.

Once your potatoes are cut, rinse the fries in water to remove excess starch. This step is important because it helps prevent the fries from sticking together during the cooking process. After rinsing, make sure to dry the potatoes thoroughly. Use a clean tea towel or kitchen paper to absorb any moisture.

Now it's time to season your fries. Place the cut and dried potatoes in a bowl, and drizzle them with a small amount of oil—a little goes a long way! You can use olive oil or another type of cooking oil you prefer. Sprinkle on some salt and pepper, and any other seasonings you like. Toss the potatoes gently until they are evenly coated with oil and seasonings.

Finally, it's time to place the fries in the air fryer basket. Spread them out in a single layer, ensuring they have some space around them for the hot air to circulate. Depending on your air fryer model, you may need to give the basket a gentle shake halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.

Set temperature and timer

When making fries in a Tefal air fryer, the temperature and timer settings will depend on the type of potatoes you are using, the thickness of your fries, and whether you are using fresh or frozen potatoes.

If you are using frozen chips, there is no need to preheat the fryer. Simply set the temperature to 180°C and cook for about 20 minutes. Halfway through the cooking process, pull out the basket and give it a little shake before placing it back in the fryer.

For fresh potatoes, the cooking time will be longer, ranging from 30 to 40 minutes at 180°C. It is important to ensure that your potatoes are thoroughly dried before placing them in the air fryer. This will help ensure that your chips turn out crispy.

For thicker cuts of potato, you may need to increase the cooking time by a few minutes to ensure they are cooked through. If you are cooking in multiple batches, the first batch may take longer to cook as the air fryer is not pre-heated.

Additionally, different models of Tefal air fryers may have different temperature settings and cooking times. For example, the Tefal Easy Fry Precision 2-in-1 Digital Air Fryer has a temperature range of 80°C to 200°C, while the Tefal Easy Fry Max Digital Air Fryer has a temperature range of 40°C to 200°C.

It is always a good idea to refer to the user manual of your specific Tefal air fryer model for the most accurate temperature and timer settings.

Frequently asked questions