Air-Fryer Rally Fries: The Perfect Crispy, Golden Treat

If you're craving some crispy, golden Rally's fries but don't want the mess and hassle of deep frying, then an air fryer is your best friend. Air fryers use hot air instead of oil to cook food, making it a healthier option. With an air fryer, you can make delicious, crispy fries in just about 10-15 minutes. All you need are frozen Rally's fries and, optionally, some cooking oil spray. Preheat your air fryer to 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit, place the frozen fries inside (making sure they're not overcrowded), and cook for around 15 minutes or until golden brown. Give the basket a shake halfway through to ensure even cooking, and season with salt to taste. It's as easy as that!

How to Make Rally Fries in an Air Fryer

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. By preheating your air fryer to 400°F, you create the ideal environment for your rally fries to cook evenly and efficiently. Here are some detailed instructions and tips to ensure you get the best results:

First, ensure your air fryer is set to the correct temperature. 400°F is the sweet spot for cooking rally fries and many other frozen French fries. This temperature ensures that the outside of the fries becomes delightfully crispy while the inside remains tender and fluffy.

Next, allow your air fryer sufficient time to preheat. Depending on the model and size of your air fryer, it can take anywhere from a few minutes to upwards of 10 minutes to reach the desired temperature. Refer to your air fryer's user manual for specific instructions.

While you're waiting, you can prepare your fries. Take them out of the bag and place them in a single layer or a handful at a time in the air fryer basket. It's important not to overcrowd the basket to allow hot air to circulate evenly around each fry. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook your fries in batches.

Once your air fryer has preheated to 400°F, you can carefully place the basket inside and set the timer. For rally fries, cooking times can vary between 10 to 15 minutes. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don't overcook or burn.

During the cooking process, it's a good idea to shake the basket or gently turn the fries at least once to ensure even cooking and browning. This is especially important if you're cooking a larger batch of fries.

Finally, when the timer goes off, carefully remove the basket from the air fryer and check that your fries are done to your liking. If they need a little longer, you can always put them back in for an extra minute or two.

And that's it! Preheating your air fryer to 400°F is a simple yet crucial step in achieving the perfect batch of rally fries. Enjoy your crispy, golden treats!

Place the frozen fries in the basket

Placing the frozen fries in the air fryer basket is a crucial step in achieving the perfect Rally's fries. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

When preparing Rally's frozen fries in your air fryer, it's essential to ensure that the fries are not overcrowded in the basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches. Leaving some space between the fries is crucial, as it allows hot air to circulate effectively, resulting in crispy fries.

Before placing the fries in the basket, it's a good idea to preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. This helps ensure even cooking and prevents the fries from sticking. However, some recipes suggest that preheating is not necessary, and you can cook the fries directly in the air fryer without preheating.

When placing the frozen fries in the basket, spread them evenly to ensure uniform cooking. You don't need to arrange them in a single layer, but make sure they are not overcrowded. This will enable you to shake and toss the fries easily halfway through the cooking process, promoting even cooking and crispiness.

Once you've placed the desired amount of fries in the basket, you can proceed to the next step of air-frying them to perfection! Remember, the key to successful Rally's fries in the air fryer is ensuring proper airflow and avoiding overcrowding in the basket.

Season with salt and olive oil spray

Seasoning your Rally's Fries with salt and olive oil spray is a simple yet crucial step in achieving the perfect balance of flavours and textures. Here is a detailed guide to help you master this step:

Choosing the Right Salt:

Start by selecting a suitable type of salt for your fries. You can opt for regular table salt, but using seasoned salt or a specific type of salt, such as sea salt or kosher salt, can elevate the flavour profile. Seasoned salt, for example, can add a unique savoury note to your fries.

Applying the Salt:

When it comes to applying salt, timing is essential. It is best to season your fries with salt right after spraying them with olive oil. This allows the salt to stick to the fries and distribute evenly. Sprinkle the desired amount of salt over the fries, ensuring it is evenly distributed. You can also add more salt later if needed.

The Role of Olive Oil Spray:

Olive oil spray serves multiple purposes in this recipe. Firstly, it helps the salt adhere to the fries, ensuring every bite is seasoned perfectly. Secondly, it adds a subtle fruity or peppery flavour, depending on the type of olive oil used. Finally, it aids in achieving the desired crispness and golden colour of the fries. When combined with salt, the olive oil spray creates a delicious, crunchy exterior while keeping the interior of the fries tender.

Tips for Optimal Results:

• Be mindful of the amount of salt you use. You can always add more, but it's challenging to remove excess salt. Start with a light sprinkle and adjust from there.
• If you don't have olive oil spray, you can use an oil sprayer or lightly drizzle olive oil over the fries, ensuring an even coating.
• Experiment with different types of salt and olive oil to find your preferred combination. Each variety offers unique flavour nuances that can enhance your Rally's Fries.
• Don't be afraid to get creative with additional seasonings. While salt is essential, you can also add pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, or your favourite herb blend to give your fries an extra flavour boost.

Air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes

Now that you've placed your frozen fries in the air fryer basket, it's time to get cooking!

Set your air fryer to 400°F and let the fries cook for 10 minutes. Depending on the thickness of the fries, you might want to adjust the timing. For example, thinner shoestring fries might only need 8-10 minutes in total, while thicker lattice cut fries could take up to 16 minutes.

While the fries are cooking, you can prepare some delicious sauces to dip them in. Ketchup is a classic, but you could also try something different like fry sauce, yum yum sauce, cheese sauce, or ranch dressing. Get creative and mix your favourite spices with a bit of mayo and ketchup for a unique sauce.

Once the initial 10 minutes are up, it's time to give those fries a good shake. This will ensure they cook evenly and get nice and crispy. If you're using an air fryer that doesn't rotate, you might want to rotate the fries yourself at this point.

Now, put the basket back in and let the fries cook for another 5-8 minutes, or until they're done to your liking. Remember, the longer you cook them, the crispier they'll become. So, if you like your fries extra crispy, you might want to air fry for a little longer.

And that's it! Your rally fries are now ready to be devoured. Enjoy the delicious, crispy, golden treats straight from your air fryer. No need to feel guilty about indulging in these fries, as they're healthier than the deep-fried variety but taste just as good!

Shake the basket and cook for another 5-8 minutes

Once you've placed your frozen fries in the air fryer basket, be sure to spread them evenly. Now, air fry at 400°F/205°C for about 10 minutes.

At this point, it's time to shake the basket and cook for another 5-8 minutes. This step is crucial to achieving the perfect crispiness and ensuring even cooking. You may need to shake the basket multiple times during this step, especially if you have a larger air fryer or if your basket is more than half full.

As you shake and rotate the fries, be gentle, and try not to break them. Also, remember that the cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your fries and the wattage of your air fryer. For thinner fries, you may only need to cook them for an additional 1-3 minutes.

If you're cooking multiple batches, the first batch may take longer since the air fryer is not pre-heated.

Frequently asked questions