Air Fryer Steak Fries: Crispy, Golden, Homemade Perfection

Steak fries are a popular side dish, and for good reason. They're easy to make, and even easier when you use an air fryer. Plus, they're healthier than classic fried fries as they use less oil. This guide will walk you through the steps to make homemade steak fries in an air fryer, from preparation to cooking, with a few tips along the way.

Soak the potatoes in cold water to remove starch and ensure crispiness

Soaking the potatoes in cold water is an important step in the process of making homemade steak fries in an air fryer. This step helps to remove excess starch from the potatoes, which will improve the crispiness of the fries. It is recommended that the potatoes be soaked for at least 20 to 30 minutes, but they can be soaked for up to 24 hours if needed. This step is especially important if you are aiming for that coveted French fry crispiness.

While the potatoes are soaking, you can prepare the other ingredients and preheat the air fryer to 375-390°F (190-200°C). After the potatoes have soaked, it is important to dry them thoroughly with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Removing the excess moisture from the potatoes is crucial, as wet fries will not crisp up properly.

Once the potatoes are dry, it's time to season them. You can toss them with a sprinkle of oil, garlic and onion powder, salt, and black pepper. You can also get creative with the seasonings and use different blends such as ranch or taco seasoning, smoked paprika, or dried herbs.

After the potatoes have been seasoned, it's time to arrange them in the air fryer. For best results, place the steak fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the fries in batches. Overcrowding the air fryer will result in soggy fries.

Finally, it's time to cook the fries. Set the air fryer to 385-400°F and cook the fries for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket a few times during cooking to ensure even crisping. And that's it! You now have delicious, crispy steak fries made right in your air fryer.

Use Russet potatoes for a classic french fry flavour

Russet potatoes are a great choice for homemade steak fries in the air fryer. They have a rich, buttery, classic potato flavour that everyone knows and loves. The starch in russet potatoes works to puff up and crisp the fries, resulting in a delicious, crunchy texture.

To prepare your russet potatoes for air frying, start by washing and peeling them. You can also leave the skin on if you prefer, just be sure to give them a good scrub under running water to remove any dirt. After cleaning, cut the potatoes into fries that are about 1/2 inch thick. Try to make the fries fairly close in size to ensure even cooking, but don't worry if they're not perfectly uniform.

Once your potatoes are cut, it's time to soak them. Soaking the potatoes in cold water for 20 to 30 minutes helps remove excess starch and will make your fries extra crispy. After soaking, be sure to pat the potatoes completely dry with paper towels or a clean dish towel.

Now it's time to season your fries. Place the potatoes in a large bowl and toss them with olive oil, salt, and pepper. You can also add additional seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, or cajun seasoning to kick things up a notch. Toss the potatoes until they are evenly coated in oil and seasonings.

Finally, it's time to cook your fries. Place the seasoned potatoes into the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overlapping. Set your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, flipping or shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. Depending on the thickness of your fries and the model of your air fryer, you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly.

And that's it! With just a few simple steps, you can enjoy delicious, crispy steak fries made right in your air fryer. So, what are you waiting for? Grab some russet potatoes and get frying!

Preheat the air fryer to 375-400°F

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the process of making homemade steak fries. While some recipes don't require preheating, it is generally recommended to ensure even cooking and the best results.

To make delicious steak fries, preheat your air fryer to between 375-400°F. This temperature range is ideal for cooking the fries to perfection, ensuring a crispy exterior and tender, fluffy interior. Preheating your air fryer to this temperature will also help to reduce the overall cooking time, so you can enjoy your tasty treat faster!

While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your potato wedges. Start by washing and peeling your potatoes, then cut them into fries that are about 1/2-inch thick. Try to make the fries as evenly sized as possible to ensure uniform cooking. You can also opt to keep the skin on your potatoes for some added texture and nutritional value.

Once your potatoes are cut, it is recommended to soak them in cold water for 20 to 30 minutes. This step helps remove excess starch, preventing the fries from sticking together and promoting crispiness. After soaking, make sure to pat the potatoes completely dry with paper towels or a clean dish towel.

Now, it's time to season your fries! Place the potatoes in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle with your desired seasonings. You can keep it classic with just salt and pepper, or experiment with other spices like garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, or even a pinch of cajun seasoning for an extra kick. Toss the potatoes until they are evenly coated in oil and seasoning.

With your air fryer preheated and your potatoes seasoned, you're almost ready to start cooking. Place the fries into the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overlapping or crowded. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the fries in multiple batches.

Now, you're ready to fry! Cook your steak fries at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping or shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. Keep an eye on your fries, as the cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your potatoes and the model of your air fryer.

Once they're golden brown and crispy, remove the fries from the air fryer and serve them with your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy the fruits of your labour—literally!

Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, or herbs

Seasoning is an important step in making homemade steak fries in the air fryer. It's time to get creative and experiment with different blends of spices and herbs to find your favourite flavour profile.

A good place to start is with the basics: salt and pepper. You can use regular table salt or opt for something fancier like Maldon salt or powdered salt, which gives a light, salty flavour that distributes evenly. As for pepper, freshly ground black peppercorns will give the best flavour.

Next, you can add some garlic powder to the mix. If you're a garlic lover, you could also add some granulated garlic, or even fresh garlic cloves, but be aware that this might be too intense for some. Onion powder is another great addition and works well with the garlic.

If you want to add some heat, paprika is a good option. Smoked paprika will give a deep, smoky flavour, while regular paprika will give a milder, slightly sweeter taste.

You can also experiment with dried herbs like rosemary or thyme, or try something different like Herbs de Provence, which will give a rustic French twist to your fries.

When it comes to seasoning, the options are endless, and you can tailor the flavours to your personal preference. Get creative, and don't be afraid to mix and match different spices and herbs to find your perfect combination!

Shake the air fryer basket halfway through cooking

Shaking the air fryer basket halfway through cooking is an important step in ensuring your steak fries cook evenly and get that desirable crispiness.

When you shake the basket, you're essentially turning or tossing the fries, which helps them cook more evenly on all sides. This is especially important if you're cooking a larger batch of fries or if they're crowded in the basket. By shaking the basket, you're also preventing the fries from sticking to the basket, which can lead to uneven cooking or even burning.

Depending on the size of your air fryer basket, you might need to cook the fries in batches to ensure they're not overcrowded. If you're cooking in batches, it's a good idea to keep the first batch warm in a low oven (around 200-250°F) while the second batch cooks.

Shaking the basket also helps to distribute the oil and seasonings evenly across the fries, so you get a consistent taste and texture.

So, when you're making steak fries in your air fryer, don't forget to give that basket a good shake halfway through! It's a simple step, but it makes a big difference in the final result.

Frequently asked questions