Making Raw Fries In An Air Fryer: A Quick, Easy Treat

Making raw fries in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep-fried french fries. With just a few basic ingredients and simple steps, you can enjoy crispy, crunchy, and delicious homemade fries without the mess and grease of classic fried ones. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make raw fries in an air fryer:

Ingredients:

- Potatoes (russet or Yukon gold)

- Oil (olive, vegetable, or canola)

- Seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, etc.)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the potatoes by scrubbing and cutting them into even-sized sticks, about 1/4-inch thick. Leaving the potato skins on adds flavor, texture, and nutrients.

2. Soak the cut potatoes in cold water for at least 10 minutes to remove excess starch and help them crisp up. Some recipes recommend soaking in hot water or even overnight in the fridge for extra crunch.

3. Pat the potatoes dry with a paper towel or clean kitchen towel to remove as much moisture as possible.

4. Place the potatoes in a bowl and drizzle with oil. Toss to coat evenly.

5. Add your desired seasonings and toss again to distribute the spices.

6. Preheat the air fryer to 375-400°F (190-200°C).

7. Arrange the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.

8. Air fry the potatoes for 10-20 minutes, tossing halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy.

9. If cooking in batches, place the cooked fries on a baking sheet lined with paper towels and a cooling rack. Keep them in a warm oven (around 200°F or 93°C) to stay warm and crispy until serving.

10. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce!

Enjoy your homemade air fryer french fries!

Choosing the right potato

The foundation of any great fry starts with the right potato. Not all potatoes are created equal, and some are better suited for frying than others. Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect potato for your air fryer fries:

• Aim for starchy potatoes like Russet potatoes, Idaho potatoes, or Yukon Gold potatoes. Russets are the classic choice for fries as they have a high starch content, resulting in fluffy interiors and crispy exteriors.
• Avoid waxy potatoes like red potatoes or fingerling potatoes, as they tend to become mushy when fried.
• If you want a slightly sweeter flavor and a beautiful golden hue, go for Yukon Gold potatoes. They are less starchy than russets but still make great fries.
• Try to select longer potatoes when buying. Smaller, more round potatoes will result in stubby fries that may not be the ideal shape for dipping.
• You can leave the skin on for added texture and flavor, or peel the potatoes if you prefer a smoother texture. Just be sure to wash the potatoes well if you're keeping the skin on.
• If you're using a mandoline to cut your fries, don't worry too much about making each fry the same size. A mix of bigger and smaller fries will be just fine!

Preparing the potatoes

Firstly, select the right type of potatoes. Russet potatoes, also known as Idaho potatoes, are the best option for that classic French fry taste and texture. They have thick skins and starchy, fluffy flesh, which makes them ideal for maintaining their shape and providing a crispy exterior with a soft, tender interior. Alternatively, you can use Yukon Gold potatoes, which will give your fries a creamier centre.

Once you have selected your potatoes, it's time to cut them into fries. Aim for a thickness of about 1/4-inch, and try to make sure all the fries are of a similar size so they cook evenly. You can use a mandoline for easy, uniform cutting, or a sharp knife. If you prefer thicker-cut fries, you can also cut them into wedges.

After cutting, it is essential to rinse the potatoes in cold water to remove excess starch. This step will help ensure your fries are nice and crispy. You can even soak the cut potatoes in cold water for an hour or overnight in the fridge for extra crunch. If you want to replicate the "double-fried" effect of restaurant fries, you can soak the potatoes in hot water for 10 minutes, as this will cook the potatoes slightly.

Once you have rinsed or soaked your potatoes, make sure to dry them thoroughly with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. This step is crucial, as any remaining moisture can prevent your fries from crisping up.

Now it's time to season your fries. Place the potatoes in a bowl and drizzle them with olive oil (or another oil of your choice). Toss the potatoes to ensure they are evenly coated, then add your desired seasonings. You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or get creative with seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or even Cajun seasoning.

After seasoning, your potatoes are ready to go into the air fryer! Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overcrowded. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches. Set the temperature to between 375-400°F and cook for 10-20 minutes, tossing halfway through, until your fries are golden brown and crispy.

And that's it! You now have delicious, crispy raw fries made in your air fryer with minimal oil and mess. Enjoy them as a side dish or a snack, and don't forget to experiment with different seasonings and dips!

Cooking the fries

Prep

Using a mandoline, slice the potatoes into fries. If you don't have a mandoline, you can cut the potatoes into 1/4-inch thick sticks. Try to make the fries the same size so they cook evenly. You can peel the potatoes, but leaving the skin on saves time and adds texture, flavour and nutrients.

Soak

Place the cut potatoes in a bowl of cool water for at least an hour. This will help to remove excess starch and will make the fries crisp up more in the air fryer.

Season

Drain the water and pat the potatoes dry with a paper towel. Drizzle the potatoes with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss to coat. You can also add other seasonings like onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, or herbs like rosemary or thyme.

Air Fry

Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not touching. You may need to cook in batches. Air fry at 375-400°F for 10-20 minutes, tossing halfway through. The fries are done when they are golden brown and crispy.

Reheat and Serve

If you are cooking in batches, you can reheat all the fries together in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes before serving. Serve with your favourite dipping sauce, such as ketchup, ranch, or garlic sauce.

Seasoning the fries

The best part about making fries in an air fryer is that you can experiment with a variety of seasonings and dips. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Classic Seasonings

A combination of salt and pepper is a classic seasoning for fries. You can use regular salt or get creative with garlic salt, powdered salt, or maldon salt.

Herb Seasonings

Fresh or dried herbs can add a lot of flavour to your fries. Try using rosemary, thyme, or parsley. You can also sprinkle on some Italian seasoning or Herbs de Provence salt for a rustic French twist.

Spicy Seasonings

If you like your fries with a kick, try using Cajun seasoning, chili powder, paprika, or curry powder. For a spicy, tangy sauce, you can also dip your fries in Zhoug (Skhug) Sauce.

Flavoured Oils

Using flavoured oils like garlic oil or chile oil can add a unique twist to your fries.

Dipping Sauces

No fry is complete without a delicious dipping sauce! Ketchup and mustard are classic choices, but you can also get creative with chipotle sauce, chimichurri, vegan cheese, or French Fry Sauce.

Other Seasoning Ideas

• Onion powder
• Ranch seasoning (with onion powder and dried dill)
• Lemon zest and Parmesan
• Paprika and chili powder
• Garlic butter (brush fries with butter, diced garlic, and parsley in the final 15 minutes of baking)
• Garlic salt (for San Francisco-style garlic fries)
• Greek seasoning (add dried oregano and top with crumbled feta)
• Taco seasoning (chili powder, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, and oregano)

Dipping sauces

Now that you've made your air fryer fries, it's time to talk about dipping sauces.

There are many different sauces you can use to elevate your air fryer fries. Here are some ideas:

• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Chipotle sauce
• Chimichurri
• Vegan cheese
• Spicy Whipped Feta
• Mayo
• Easy Homemade Blue Cheese Dip
• French Fry Sauce
• Ranch dressing
• BBQ sauce
• Cheese sauce
• Aioli
• Yum yum sauce
• Salsa golf (golf sauce)
• Red white
• Marie Rose
• Pink sauce
• Mayochup
• Burger sauce
• Buttermilk ranch
• Onion ring dipping sauce
• Fry sauce (doubles as burger sauce)

If you want to make your own French Fry Sauce, here's a recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon dill pickle relish
• 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce (such as Frank's)

Instructions:

• In a small bowl or large measuring cup, stir all ingredients together.
• Serve cold with French fries, chips, or as a spread on burgers or other sandwiches. Refrigerate until needed.

This French fry sauce recipe is creamy with mayonnaise, tangy from ketchup and apple cider vinegar, and a little spice from mustard and hot sauce. Oh, and don't forget the tiny chunks of pickle from the relish, which will remind you of Thousand Island dressing or Big Mac "special sauce".

Frequently asked questions