Air Fryer Parmesan Fries: Quick, Crispy, Cheesy Delight

Making parmesan fries in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and healthy way to prepare this classic comfort food. The air fryer is a convenient method to achieve a similar taste and texture to deep-fried french fries without the extra oil. This recipe is also ideal for small batches, making it perfect for couples or singles.

To make parmesan fries in an air fryer, start by rinsing and scrubbing the potatoes. Cut them into thin strips or wedges, and then soak them in cold water for about 30 minutes to remove excess starch and ensure crispiness. Drain the water and pat the potatoes dry before adding oil, salt, and seasonings. Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook at 380-400°F for 15-20 minutes, tossing them halfway through. For an extra cheesy kick, sprinkle the fries with additional parmesan cheese or top them with cheddar cheese.

Choosing the right potatoes

The type of potatoes you use for your parmesan fries can make a big difference in the final result. Here are some tips to help you choose the right potatoes and prepare them for air frying:

Types of Potatoes

• Russet potatoes: These are large potatoes with brown skin and a high starch content. They are a good option for air fryer fries as they hold up well during cooking and can get extra crispy.
• Red potatoes: Red potatoes are small to medium-sized potatoes with thin red skin. They have a lower starch content than russets, which means they can stay soft and fluffy on the inside while getting crispy on the outside. Red potatoes are also less likely to stick together during cooking.
• Yukon gold potatoes: These are medium-sized potatoes with thin, golden skin. They have a lower moisture content than other types of potatoes, which makes them ideal for air frying as they get extra crispy.

Preparing the Potatoes

• Soaking: For russet potatoes or other high-starch potatoes, it is recommended to soak the potato slices in cold water for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight to remove excess starch. This will help the potatoes get crispier during cooking. However, this step is not necessary for low-starch potatoes like red potatoes.
• Peeling: You can choose to peel your potatoes or leave the skin on. Leaving the skin on saves time and adds extra crispiness, as well as some extra nutrients to your dish.
• Cutting: Cut the potatoes into even-sized slices or wedges, preferably about 1/4 inch thick. This will ensure that they cook evenly in the air fryer.

By choosing the right type of potatoes and preparing them properly, you'll be well on your way to making delicious parmesan fries in your air fryer!

Preparing the potatoes

Firstly, select your potatoes. Russet potatoes are a popular choice for making fries due to their ability to hold up during the cooking process. However, other types such as Yukon Gold, red potatoes, or even sweet potatoes can also be used. If you want to leave the skin on for some extra nutrients and a quicker preparation time, go for it!

Once you've chosen your potatoes, give them a good wash to remove any excess dirt. Use a small brush if needed. Then, grab a sharp knife, mandolin, or potato slicer, and cut the potatoes into thin strips or wedges, aiming for a thickness of around 1/4 inch. Try to get uniform sizes to ensure even cooking.

Next, place the cut potatoes into a large bowl and cover them with cold water or ice water. Soaking the potatoes helps to remove excess starch, which will give your fries a crispier texture. Let them soak for about 30 minutes to an hour. You can even leave them in the water in the fridge for up to 24 hours if you want to prepare them ahead of time.

After soaking, drain the water and thoroughly pat the potatoes dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. This step is important to prevent sogginess when cooking.

Now, it's time to season the potatoes. Drizzle olive oil over the potatoes and toss them to coat evenly. You can also add salt at this stage, as well as other seasonings like garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, or pepper to enhance the flavor. Make sure each potato piece is well-coated.

Finally, arrange the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, with minimal overlap if possible. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to cook the potatoes in batches. Preheat your air fryer to around 380-400°F, and then cook the potatoes for about 15-20 minutes, tossing them halfway through to ensure even cooking.

And that's it! You've successfully prepared the potatoes for your Parmesan fries. Now you can move on to the next steps of the recipe, which typically involve tossing the cooked fries with a delicious Parmesan cheese mixture and serving them hot. Enjoy!

Preparing the seasoning

• Parmesan cheese (grated or shredded)
• Garlic (freshly minced or in powder form)
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

You may also add other spices such as paprika, Italian seasoning, or onion powder for extra flavour.

Once you have your ingredients, follow these steps:

• Cut your chosen potatoes into thin strips, wedges, or steak fries. Soak them in cold water for about 30 minutes to remove excess starch and ensure crispiness.
• Drain the water and pat the potatoes dry with a kitchen towel or paper towels.
• In a large bowl, drizzle olive oil over the potatoes and toss them to coat evenly.
• Add your chosen spices and seasonings. You can be generous with the garlic and parmesan, as these are the key flavours. Use your hands to rub the cheese and seasonings into the potatoes, ensuring each fry is well-coated.
• If desired, you can add a sprinkle of truffle oil or truffle salt over the fries for an extra touch of flavour.

Your parmesan fries seasoning is now ready! You can then proceed to place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer and cook according to the instructions provided by your air fryer.

Cooking the fries

First, cut the potatoes into thin strips, wedges, or steak fries. You can peel the potatoes or leave the skin on, but make sure to wash them well with a small brush to remove any excess dirt. A sharp knife, mandolin, or potato slicer will give you more exact cuts for even cooking.

Next, soak the potatoes in a large bowl of cold water for 30-60 minutes. This will help to remove excess starch and give the fries a crispier texture. Drain the water and pat the potatoes dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.

Now it's time to season the fries. Place the potatoes in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Toss to coat the potatoes evenly, then sprinkle with your desired seasonings. You can use salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, or a combination of these. Use your hands to rub the seasonings into the potatoes.

Preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F. Arrange the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, avoiding overlap if possible. If necessary, cook the fries in batches to ensure even cooking.

Cook the fries for 15-20 minutes, tossing or turning them halfway through to ensure even cooking. The fries are done when they are golden brown and crispy. If there are any pieces that are not fully browned, return them to the air fryer and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes.

Once the fries are cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove them from the air fryer and place them in a large bowl. If desired, toss the fries with melted butter and garlic, then add more parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and fresh parsley to taste. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Reheating the fries

Fries are best enjoyed straight out of the fryer, but if they have cooled down, you can reheat them in the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F and place the fries inside for 2-5 minutes, until heated through. Keep a close eye on them to ensure they do not overcook and become too crispy.

If you have a large batch of fries, you may need to reheat them in smaller batches to ensure they heat through evenly. You can also crisp up leftover fries by placing them in a preheated air fryer for 3-5 minutes.

If you are reheating fries that have been stored in the fridge, it is best to allow them to come to room temperature first. Then, follow the same process as above.

For fries that taste as good as new, it is important to ensure that they are not overcrowded in the air fryer. This will help them to heat through evenly. It is also a good idea to shake the basket or toss the fries halfway through reheating to ensure even cooking.

While reheating, you can also add some extra flavour by sprinkling the fries with some extra parmesan cheese, garlic powder, or fresh herbs such as parsley or basil.

Frequently asked questions