Make Perfect Fries With A Vortex Air Fryer

The Vortex Air Fryer is a popular kitchen appliance for making French fries, with many recipes available online. The air fryer is a healthier alternative to frying potatoes in oil, and can produce crispy fries without the need for added butter or oil. The fries can be seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic powder, chilli powder, paprika, cumin, or parmesan cheese. The cooking time and temperature vary depending on the desired crispiness and the model of the air fryer, but generally, the fries are cooked for around 15-20 minutes at temperatures between 375 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

How to Make Fries in a Vortex Air Fryer

Choosing the right potatoes

The secret to making perfect French fries in your Vortex Air Fryer starts with choosing the right potatoes. You might think that all potatoes are created equal, but this is not the case. When it comes to French fries, you want to use high-starch potatoes. The best potatoes for French fries are Idaho or russet potatoes. These potatoes are dense and have less moisture, which is key to avoiding soggy fries. Russet potatoes are also ideal because of their oval shape, which is perfect for making long French or steak fries.

If you don't have access to Idaho or russet potatoes, you can also use Yukon gold potatoes, which are an all-purpose potato that can be used for frying. However, avoid waxy potatoes like red-skinned, new, or fingerling potatoes. Their high moisture and sugar content make them unsuitable for frying. If you use these types of potatoes, your fries will likely turn out limp and soggy, and they may also darken too quickly.

When choosing potatoes for your Vortex Air Fryer French fries, it's also important to consider the size. For even cooking, you'll want to use medium-sized potatoes. This will ensure that your fries cook through properly and that you don't end up with some pieces that are overcooked and others that are undercooked.

In addition to the type and size of potato, you also need to consider the preparation. For the best results, cut your potatoes into even sticks, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. This will ensure that your fries cook evenly in the air fryer. You can use a mandolin slicer or a French fry cutter to make this process quicker and easier.

Once your potatoes are cut, be sure to rinse them thoroughly and then soak them in cold water for at least 10 minutes. This will help remove excess starch, which can make your fries soggy. After soaking, be sure to dry your potatoes thoroughly before adding any oil or seasoning.

Cutting and soaking the potatoes

To make fries in a vortex air fryer, you'll first need to cut and prepare your potatoes. Here's a detailed guide on how to do this:

Start by selecting the right type of potatoes. Russet potatoes are a popular choice for making fries. You'll want to ensure your potatoes are thoroughly washed before cutting them.

If you want uniformly cut fries, consider using a French fry cutter. These typically require the potatoes to be trimmed to a specific length, such as 3 inches. You can also use a mandolin slicer or cut the potatoes by hand. If cutting by hand, aim for a thickness of around 1/4 to 1/2 inch for your fries.

Once you've cut your potatoes, give them a thorough rinse in cold water. This will help remove some of the starch, which can lead to a crispier fry. After rinsing, soak the cut potatoes in cold water for at least 10 minutes, or even longer if you have the time. Changing the water a few times during the soaking process can also help improve the final texture of your fries.

As an optional step, you can add a teaspoon or two of baking soda to the soaking water. This will help the potatoes achieve a golden color and a crispier texture.

After soaking, drain the potatoes and ensure they are completely dry before adding any oil or seasoning. You can use a kitchen towel or paper towels to pat them dry.

Now that your potatoes are cut and soaked, it's time to move on to the next step: tossing them in oil and seasoning.

Adding oil and seasoning

If you're using frozen fries, add them to a Ziplock bag along with olive oil and seasoned salt. Shake the bag until the fries are coated. You can also use avocado oil or peanut oil. If you're using fresh potatoes, cut them into sticks or strips, then place them into a large bowl and pour in the oil, tossing to coat the potatoes.

You can also add other seasonings to your fries before cooking. Try salt, pepper, garlic powder, chilli powder, paprika (or smoked paprika), cumin, or parmesan cheese.

Once your fries are cooked, sprinkle on some more seasoning salt, or add other seasonings to taste.

Using the rotisserie basket

Preparing the Potatoes:

First, you'll need to prepare your potatoes. Russet potatoes are a popular choice for fries. Wash the potatoes and cut off any eyes or green flesh, as these parts are not suitable for eating. You can cut the potatoes into fries by hand or use a French fry cutter to speed up the process. Cut the potatoes into fries about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Soaking the cut potatoes in cold water for at least 10 minutes and then drying them thoroughly is an optional step that can help remove excess starch and ensure crispier fries.

Seasoning and Coating:

Place the cut potatoes in a large bowl and coat them with olive oil or avocado oil. You can also add seasonings like salt, pepper, or seasoned salt to taste. Toss the potatoes until they are evenly coated.

Fill the rotisserie basket no more than 3/4 full to allow the fries room to circulate while rotating. Secure the lid on the basket. Place the drip pan in the bottom of the cooking chamber, and use the rotisserie fetch tool to lift the basket into the chamber. Use the red rotisserie release lever to secure the basket and close the oven door.

Cooking the Fries:

Set the Vortex Air Fryer to Air Fry mode and adjust the temperature and time. A temperature of around 380-400°F and a cooking time of 15-20 minutes are typical, but you may need to adjust these settings based on your desired level of crispiness. Don't forget to press the Rotate button to engage the rotisserie function. Check on the fries periodically, and remove them from the air fryer when they are golden and crispy.

Serving:

Once the fries are cooked to your liking, use the Y-shaped lifter or rotisserie fetch tool to remove the basket from the air fryer. Open the basket carefully, using oven mitts if necessary. Sprinkle on any additional seasonings, and serve the fries hot. Enjoy!

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for your Vortex Air Fryer French Fries will depend on a few factors, including the type of potatoes you are using, the thickness of your cut, and your desired crispiness.

For frozen French fries, preheat your Vortex Air Fryer to 375-400°F and cook for 8 to 18 minutes. Check your fries at the lower end of this time range to ensure they do not burn. If you are cooking in batches, the first batch may cook faster than the second.

For fresh French fries, the cooking time will be longer. First, cut your potatoes into 1/4-inch sticks or 1/2-inch strips, depending on your desired thickness. Rinse the potatoes and soak them in water for at least 10 minutes, or up to an hour if you are aiming for maximum crispiness. Drain and thoroughly dry the potatoes. Then, toss them with olive oil, avocado oil, or another oil of your choice. Load the potatoes into the rotisserie basket and lock the basket. Set your Vortex Air Fryer to Air Fry at 380-400°F for 20 minutes, then press the Rotate button. Check your fries at the 17-minute mark and add a few more minutes if you prefer them extra crispy.

It's important to note that the cooking time and temperature may vary depending on the model of your Vortex Air Fryer, so be sure to refer to your specific model's instructions as well. Additionally, if you are cooking a large batch of fries, you may need to increase the cooking time or cook in multiple batches to ensure even cooking.

Frequently asked questions