Healthy French Fries: Air Fryer Style

Air fryers are a great way to make healthier French fries, as they require far less oil than deep frying. To make French fries in an air fryer, start by cutting your potatoes into fries of roughly equal size. Rinse the cut potatoes in cold water to remove excess starch, and then pat them dry. Next, toss the potatoes in a bowl with olive oil and your choice of seasonings. Place the fries in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overlapping. Air fry at 380°F for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are crispy and golden brown. Enjoy your healthy, homemade French fries!

How to cut potatoes for fries

To make healthy French fries in an air fryer, it's important to cut your potatoes into even-sized fries. This will ensure they cook evenly. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to cut potatoes for fries:

Step 1:

Place the potato on its side. Using a large chef's knife, cut a thin slice off the edge to create a flat base. This will help the potato stay stable while you make the next cuts.

Step 2:

Flip the potato so that the cut side is facing down. Now, you will cut the potato into thin slices of the width you want your French fries to be. Try to keep the slices as even as possible.

Step 3:

Take a few of the slices and stack them. Cut these stacked slices in the other direction to create French fries. Repeat this process with the remaining slices.

Tips:

• For the best results, use long potatoes such as Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes.
• If you want to speed up the process or ensure perfectly even fries, you can use a French fry press or a mandoline.
• You can peel the potatoes or leave the skin on, according to your preference. Leaving the skin on adds texture and nutrients.

How to season the fries

Now that you've got your fries ready, it's time to season them! Here are some tips and tricks to make sure your fries are packed with flavour:

• Before seasoning, make sure to pat the fries dry with a paper towel. This will ensure that the oil and seasoning stick to the fries.
• Toss the fries with olive oil, and then add your desired seasonings. You can use a bowl for this step, or simply add the oil and seasonings directly to the air fryer basket and toss to coat.
• For classic French fries, keep it simple with just salt and pepper. Sea salt or powdered salt are great options, as they distribute evenly and give a light, salty flavour.
• For something more adventurous, try using onion powder, garlic powder, Cajun seasoning, Italian seasoning, or herbs de Provence salt. You can also brush the fries with butter, diced garlic, and parsley for a luxurious take on garlic fries.
• If you're feeling creative, experiment with different spices like smoked paprika, chilli powder, cumin, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, or rosemary.
• Don't be afraid to combine different seasonings to find your perfect flavour profile.
• Remember, it's important to season the fries just before air frying them. Adding salt too early can draw moisture out of the potatoes and affect their crispiness.

How to cook the fries in the air fryer

Ingredients

To make air fryer French fries, you will need the following ingredients:

• Potatoes (russet or Yukon gold)
• Oil (olive, vegetable, or canola)
• Salt
• Pepper
• Other seasonings of your choice (e.g. Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, etc.)

Instructions

• Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to a temperature between 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Prepare the potatoes: Wash and scrub the potatoes. You can peel them or leave the skin on, depending on your preference. Cut the potatoes into fries of roughly equal size, about 1/4-inch thick. Soaking the potatoes in cold water for an hour or overnight can help remove excess starch and result in crispier fries, but it is not mandatory.
• Rinse and dry: Rinse the potato slices in cold water and then pat them dry with a paper towel. This step is important to remove any remaining starch and ensure the potatoes are thoroughly dried.
• Season the potatoes: In a medium-sized bowl, toss the potatoes with oil and your desired seasonings. Make sure all the surfaces of the potatoes are evenly coated.
• Air fry: Place the fries into the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overlapping. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the fries in multiple batches. Air fry for 12-20 minutes, tossing or flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy.
• Reheat (optional): If you are cooking the fries in batches, you can place all the cooked fries back into the air fryer for 1-2 minutes to reheat and ensure they are all crispy.
• Serve: Enjoy your air fryer French fries! You can serve them with various dips and sauces, such as ketchup, fry sauce, garlic aioli, or chili powder.

How to reheat the fries

If you've made a batch of fries and want to reheat them, simply add all the fries back into the air fryer (it's fine if they're crowded this time) and cook for 1 to 2 minutes to reheat. You can also reheat them in the oven at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes or until they are the texture and temperature you want.

How to make frozen French fries in the air fryer

How to Make Frozen French Fries in an Air Fryer

Ingredients:

• Your favorite brand of frozen French fries
• Salt to taste (seasoned salt is recommended)
• Olive oil spray

Method:

Place your desired amount of frozen fries into the air fryer basket. Be sure not to fill the basket more than half to 3/4 full. For crispier fries, do not stack the fries on top of each other and cook in batches if necessary.

Lightly spray the fries with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes, then shake the basket and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes, depending on how crispy you like your fries.

For waffle, sweet potato, or lattice cut fries, cook for 10-11 minutes. For shoestring fries, cook for 8-10 minutes.

Tips:

• To ensure even cooking, gently toss the fries halfway through.
• For crispier fries, increase the cooking time.
• For thinner fries, such as shoestring, reduce the cooking time.
• Always check on the fries during cooking and adjust the time as needed.
• For best results, serve immediately.

Serving Suggestions:

These golden, crispy fries are delicious on their own, but here are some dips and toppings to take them to the next level:

• Ketchup
• BBQ sauce
• Fry sauce
• Yum Yum Sauce
• Cheese sauce
• Ranch dressing
• Spicy western sauce (a mix of mayo, ketchup, chipotle chili powder, garlic powder, and onion powder)
• Garlic Parmesan (butter, olive oil, garlic, fresh Parmesan, and parsley)
• Loaded fries (cheese sauce, bacon, sour cream, and green onion)
• Truffle fries (truffle oil and shaved Parmesan)

Frequently asked questions