Air Fryer Loaded Fries: Quick, Crispy, Cheesy Comfort Food

Loaded fries are a delicious snack and a great side dish. They are also incredibly easy to make in an air fryer. All you need are some frozen fries, your favourite seasoning, cheese, bacon, ranch, and green onions. Start by cooking the fries in the air fryer, then add your choice of seasoning, load them up with cheese and bacon, and cook for a further 1-2 minutes. Finally, sprinkle with green onions and drizzle with ranch.

Choosing the right type of potato

Variety

The most commonly used potatoes for air frying are Russets, Yukon Golds, and Red potatoes. Each variety will yield slightly different results in terms of texture and colour:

• Russets: These potatoes will give you the crispiest results with a pale golden colour. Their insides will be soft and fluffy with a mild flavour.
• Yukon Golds: These potatoes will also crisp up nicely, but their colour will be a deeper golden due to lower starch and higher sugar content. The insides will be creamier and full of flavour.
• Reds: Red potatoes will turn an even darker golden brown due to their high sugar and low starch content. They will be crispy initially but will soften quickly. Their insides will be creamy and soft.

Size and Shape

When choosing your potatoes, look for those that are uniform in size and have a similar shape. This will help ensure even cooking, so all your fries turn out perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Baby potatoes or new potatoes, which are just young potatoes harvested early, can also be used and will yield a high sugar content and a good shape.

Skin

Leaving the skin on your potatoes will give you several benefits. The skin helps the potatoes crisp up nicely, adds flavour and texture, provides extra nutrients, and saves you preparation time! So, unless you have a specific reason for wanting to peel your potatoes, it's best to leave the skin on.

Freshness

Always select potatoes that are firm, smooth, and free from blemishes or bruises. Avoid potatoes that have started to sprout or have a greenish tinge, as these signs indicate that they are past their prime and may not cook evenly.

Storage

If you're not using your potatoes immediately, store them in a cool, dark, well-ventilated place. Avoid exposing them to sunlight or storing them in the refrigerator, as this can affect their texture and taste.

Preparing the potatoes

Scrub and Clean the Potatoes:

Start by selecting the right type of potatoes. Russet potatoes are a popular choice for French fries due to their rich, buttery taste and ability to crisp up perfectly in the air fryer. Alternatively, you can use Yukon Gold potatoes, which will give your fries a creamier centre.

Once you've chosen your potatoes, give them a good scrub to remove any dirt. You can also peel them if you prefer, although leaving the skin on can add more flavour and texture to your fries.

Cut the Potatoes:

Cut the potatoes into even-sized sticks, about 1/4-inch thick. This ensures that all the fries cook at the same rate. If you're using a fry cutter, follow the instructions provided with your device to achieve the desired thickness.

Rinse and Dry the Potato Sticks:

After cutting, rinse the potato sticks in cold water to remove any excess starch. This step is important to ensure crispy fries. Then, pat them dry with a paper towel or clean dish towel. Make sure they are thoroughly dried, as any residual moisture can lead to soggy fries.

Season the Potato Sticks:

Place the dried potato sticks in a large bowl and drizzle them with olive oil. Toss the potatoes to ensure they are evenly coated. You can also use other types of oil, such as vegetable oil or canola oil, if you prefer.

Now it's time to season your fries! You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or get creative with seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, or even Cajun seasoning. Toss the fries again to ensure the seasonings are evenly distributed.

Cook the Fries in the Air Fryer:

Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, usually between 380-400°F (190-200°C). Place the seasoned potato sticks in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overcrowded. You may need to work in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.

Cook the fries for 10-15 minutes, tossing or flipping them halfway through. The exact cooking time will depend on your air fryer and the desired level of crispiness. For softer fries, aim for the lower end of the time range, and for crispier fries, go for the higher end.

Once the fries are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and set them aside while you prepare the toppings.

Adding oil and seasoning

Choosing the Right Oil:

You can use a variety of oils such as olive oil, vegetable oil, canola oil, or flavored oils like garlic oil or chile oil. Choose an oil that you enjoy the flavor of, as it will enhance your fries.

Preparing the Potatoes:

Wash and cut your potatoes into fries of uniform size, about 1/4-inch thick. This ensures even cooking. Leaving the skin on is recommended, as it adds flavor, texture, fiber, and nutrients, but you can peel them if you prefer.

Adding Oil:

Place the cut potatoes in a bowl and drizzle or toss them with the oil of your choice. Make sure each fry is coated lightly and evenly. You can use a cooking spray or spritz the potatoes with oil if you prefer.

Seasoning Options:

For a classic flavor, season your fries with salt and pepper. You can also add garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or cayenne pepper for a kick. Other options include Italian seasoning, Cajun seasoning, or herbs like rosemary or thyme.

Combining Oil and Seasoning:

After tossing the potatoes in oil, add your chosen seasonings to the bowl and toss again to ensure an even coating. You can also sprinkle the seasonings over the fries after adding oil, and then toss or shake the bowl to combine.

Timing of Seasoning:

It is best to season the potatoes just before placing them in the air fryer. Adding salt too early can draw moisture out of the potatoes, making them less crispy.

Other Tips:

• If you want to enhance the flavor further, you can brush the fries with butter, diced garlic, and parsley during the final minutes of cooking for garlic butter fries.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave some space between each fry to allow hot air to circulate, ensuring they get crispy. You may need to cook the potatoes in batches.

By following these steps and choosing your preferred oil and seasonings, you can create delicious and flavorful loaded fries in your air fryer.

Cooking in the air fryer

Now that you have gathered your ingredients, it's time to cook! Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make loaded fries in your air fryer.

Preheat Your Air Fryer

Before you start cooking, remember to preheat your air fryer. Set it to 380-390°F (around 190-200°C) and let it heat up for about 3-5 minutes. This step is crucial for ensuring even cooking.

Prepare the Frozen Fries

Take your frozen fries and spread them evenly in the air fryer basket. Make sure you don't overcrowd the basket, as this can lead to uneven cooking and soggy fries. You can spritz or lightly spray the fries with cooking oil for extra crispiness, but this step is optional.

Add Seasonings

Before placing the fries in the air fryer, you can toss them with your desired seasonings. You can use salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, or any other spices you like. You can also add a light coating of oil to help the seasonings stick better.

Cook the Fries

Place the seasoned fries into the air fryer basket and cook for 15-20 minutes. It's important to shake or flip the fries halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking and crispiness. Adjust the cooking time based on your desired level of crispiness and the thickness of your fries.

Load the Fries

Once the fries are cooked to your liking, it's time to load them up! Sprinkle shredded cheese and crumbled bacon over the fries. You can also add other toppings like jalapeños or green onions. Place the loaded fries back in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes to melt the cheese.

Serve and Enjoy

Take the loaded fries out of the air fryer and serve them hot! You can add some final touches like a drizzle of ranch dressing or a sprinkle of chopped green onions. Enjoy your delicious, crispy loaded fries!

Tips for Success

• Work in batches if you have a large amount of fries to ensure even cooking.
• Cut the potatoes into even-sized sticks or slices for uniform cooking.
• Rinse or soak the potatoes before cooking to remove excess starch and promote crispiness.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow proper airflow and crispiness.
• Experiment with different types of potatoes and seasonings to find your favorite combinations.

Serving suggestions

These loaded fries are a delicious snack or side dish and can be served in many ways. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Dips: Loaded fries go well with a variety of dips, such as ketchup, mustard, mayo, chipotle sauce, chimichurri, or vegan cheese. You can also try more unusual choices like spicy whipped feta, aioli, or BBQ sauce.
• Herbs and spices: For extra flavour, sprinkle some fresh herbs, chilli powder, garlic powder, or onion powder on top of your loaded fries.
• Cheese: For an extra indulgent touch, add some melted cheese on top of your loaded fries.
• Salads: Add an unexpected crunch to your salad by sprinkling on some loaded fries.
• Burgers and sandwiches: Loaded fries make a great side dish for burgers or sandwiches, such as a Portobello Mushroom Burger, Crispy Cauliflower Po' Boy Sandwich, or BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich.
• Other sides: Try serving loaded fries with other air fryer sides like Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak, Air Fryer Cinnamon Raisin Bagels, or The Best Air Fryer Baked Potato.

There are endless possibilities for customising and serving loaded fries, so feel free to get creative and experiment with different ingredients and combinations.

Frequently asked questions