Air-Fryer Poutine: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Poutine is a Canadian dish of French fries with gravy and cheese curds. It can be made in an air fryer in 20 minutes with just three simple ingredients. First, cook the fries in the air fryer. Then, heat the gravy on the stove. Finally, assemble the dish by placing the cooked fries on a plate and topping with cheese curds and gravy.

Choosing the right potatoes

The type of potatoes you use for your poutine is essential to achieving the perfect texture and taste. Here are some tips to help you choose the right potatoes and prepare them for your air fryer poutine:

Types of Potatoes

Russet potatoes are the best variety to use for poutine. They are denser and have less moisture content, resulting in crispier fries. If you can't find russet potatoes, you can also use Idaho potatoes, which have similar characteristics. Avoid waxy potatoes such as Yukon gold, as they have a higher moisture content and will not give you the desired crispiness.

Preparing the Potatoes

Before cutting your potatoes, scrub them thoroughly to remove any dirt. Cut them into uniform, 1/2-inch thick fries. This size ensures they can stand up to the rich gravy and cook evenly. Place the cut potatoes in a bowl of cold water as you cut them to prevent oxidation and browning. Soaking the potatoes for at least two hours, or even overnight, will help remove excess starch and result in crispier fries.

Cooking the Potatoes

When you're ready to cook your potatoes, rinse them thoroughly and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel. Drizzle them with a small amount of olive oil or cooking spray to coat the fries evenly. Preheat your air fryer to 370-400°F, depending on the model, and place the potatoes in the air fryer basket. Cook for 15-25 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally to ensure even browning.

Final Thoughts

While choosing the right potatoes for your air fryer poutine is important, don't stress too much. As long as you use a fried potato, you're on the right track! Get creative and experiment with different types of potatoes and cutting styles to find your perfect poutine.

Preparing the potatoes

Next, toss the potatoes with oil and place them in the air fryer basket. You can use any type of cooking oil, but it's important to avoid using olive oil or any oil with a low smoking point. Air fry the potatoes at 370 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 25 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally to ensure even cooking. If you're using frozen fries, you may need to increase the cooking time to 15-20 minutes.

Once the potatoes are crispy and golden, remove them from the air fryer and season with salt. Now your potatoes are ready to be turned into delicious poutine!

Making the gravy

The gravy is an essential component of poutine, and it needs to be just right. It should be smooth, rich, and deep in flavour. The gravy can be made from scratch or using a jar of beef gravy. For a vegetarian option, you can use vegetable stock. Here is a recipe for making your own gravy:

Ingredients:

• Butter
• Flour
• Beef broth/stock
• Chicken broth/stock
• Tomato paste
• Cornstarch
• Ketchup
• Apple cider vinegar
• Worcestershire sauce
• Spices (onion powder, garlic powder, dried parsley, paprika, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper)

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
• Add the flour and cook for a few minutes, stirring regularly, to create a roux.
• Add the rest of the ingredients: beef and chicken broth, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and spices.
• Simmer the gravy until it thickens. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
• Taste the gravy and adjust the seasoning if needed. Add more vinegar if you prefer a tangier flavour.
• Keep the gravy warm until you are ready to serve.

Tips:

• For a lighter gravy, use more chicken broth and less beef broth.
• Use unsalted butter and reduced-sodium broth to control the saltiness of the gravy.
• The gravy should be thick enough to cling to the fries and cheese.
• If the gravy becomes too thick, add a little extra broth to thin it out.
• If making the gravy ahead of time, gently reheat it on the stove before serving.

Cooking the fries

The first step to making poutine in an air fryer is to cut the potatoes into fries. It is recommended to use Russet potatoes, as they are denser and have less moisture, resulting in crispier fries. You can also peel the potatoes, although this is optional. The potatoes should then be soaked in cold water for at least two hours, or even overnight, as this will remove the starch and result in crispier fries.

After soaking, the potatoes should be rinsed and dried thoroughly. Any residual water can react with the hot oil and cause it to spatter. Next, place the potatoes in the air fryer basket and spritz or coat them with cooking oil. It is important to not overcrowd the basket, as this will prevent the fries from crisping up properly. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the potatoes in batches.

Now it's time to cook the fries! Preheat your air fryer to between 370-400°F and cook the fries for 14-16 minutes, shaking the basket several times during the cooking process to ensure even browning. You may also choose to double fry the potatoes, cooking them at a lower temperature first and then increasing the temperature for the second fry to achieve the perfect crispiness.

Once the fries are cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove them from the air fryer and sprinkle with salt.

Putting it all together

Now that you've got your fries, cheese, and gravy ready, it's time to assemble your poutine! Here's how to put it all together:

• Place your cooked fries in a serving dish or plate. It's important to do this as soon as the fries are done so they stay hot and crispy.
• Top the fries with the cheese curds. The heat from the fries and gravy will help to soften the cheese, so make sure the curds are nice and warm.
• Drizzle the hot gravy over the fries and cheese. Be generous! The gravy should be thick enough to cling to the fries and cheese, creating a delicious, messy dish.
• Grab a fork and dig in! Poutine is best enjoyed fresh, so don't let it sit too long before digging in.

Tips for the perfect poutine:

• If you're using frozen fries, make sure to cook them according to the package instructions before assembling your poutine.
• For the cheese curds, try to find white cheddar or mozzarella cheese curds. If you can't find cheese curds, you can use small cubes of mozzarella cheese instead.
• The gravy is key to a great poutine. Make sure it's smooth, rich, and flavourful. You can add ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, or soy sauce to enhance the flavour.
• Don't be afraid to get creative! Poutine can be customized with different types of fries, cheeses, and toppings. Add bacon, green onions, or pulled pork for an extra indulgent treat.

Frequently asked questions