Air Fryer Seasoned Fries: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Making seasoned fries in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to satisfy your cravings for a crunchy snack. With just a few basic ingredients and simple steps, you can have delicious homemade fries without the mess and grease of traditional frying. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make perfectly seasoned fries in your air fryer.

Choosing the right potato

The type of potato you choose for your air fryer fries is crucial to achieving the perfect taste and texture. Here are some tips to help you select the best potatoes for your air fryer fries:

Types of Potatoes

When it comes to choosing potatoes for air fryer fries, the two most recommended varieties are russet potatoes and Yukon gold potatoes.

• Russet potatoes are starchier and result in fries that are crispy on the outside and drier on the inside. They give you a fry that is similar to what you would typically find in a restaurant.
• Yukon gold potatoes are waxier and yield fries that are equally crispy on the outside but have a firmer and creamier inside. Their naturally buttery taste also gives the fries a richer flavour.

Factors to Consider

When selecting potatoes for your air fryer fries, here are some factors to keep in mind:

• Taste and Texture: Consider whether you prefer your fries to be crispier and drier, like those made with russet potatoes, or if you like them with a firmer and creamier texture, which is characteristic of Yukon gold potatoes.
• Personal Preference: It's all a matter of personal preference! Some people might favour the classic potato flavour of russet potatoes, while others might opt for the richer taste of Yukon golds.
• Cut Size: The size of your potato cuts will also influence the variety you choose. Russet potatoes work well for matchstick or thinner cuts, while Yukon gold potatoes can be a good choice for thicker-cut fries.
• Soaking: If you plan to soak your potatoes before cooking, keep in mind that russet potatoes respond well to this step, giving them a "double-fried" effect. However, Yukon gold potatoes are already waxier and may not require soaking to achieve the desired crispiness.

Tips for Selecting Potatoes

To ensure you pick the best potatoes for your air fryer fries:

• Opt for firm potatoes with smooth, undamaged skin. Avoid potatoes with wrinkles, sprouts, or soft spots.
• Choose potatoes that are similar in size, especially if you're cutting them into uniform sizes for even cooking.
• Store potatoes in a cool, dark, well-ventilated place to prolong their shelf life.
• If you're using russet potatoes, consider buying those labelled as "Idaho potatoes" for the classic, restaurant-style fry texture.

Preparing the potato

Firstly, select the right type of potatoes. Russet potatoes are ideal for French fries due to their thick skins and starchy, fluffy flesh. This helps them maintain their shape and texture during the cooking process. Alternatively, Yukon Gold potatoes can be used for a creamier centre.

Next, it's time to cut the potatoes into fries. The recommended thickness for the fries is around 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. It is important to ensure that the fries are cut into evenly sized pieces to promote even cooking. After cutting, give the potatoes a quick rinse in cold water to remove excess starch. For even crispier fries, consider soaking the cut potatoes in cold water for an hour or even overnight in the fridge.

Once rinsed and/or soaked, it is crucial to dry the potatoes thoroughly. Use paper towels or a clean kitchen towel to pat them dry. Removing moisture is essential to achieving crispy exteriors.

Now, it's time to season the potatoes. Place the cut and dried potatoes in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil or another preferred oil. 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 garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, chili powder, or even fresh herbs.

Finally, you are ready to air fry the potatoes. Preheat your air fryer to around 380-400°F. Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with no overlapping. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the potatoes in batches. Air fry for 10-15 minutes, tossing or flipping the potatoes halfway through to ensure even cooking. The fries are done when they are golden brown and crispy.

Seasoning

The seasoning is a key part of making seasoned fries in an air fryer. Here are some tips and suggestions for seasoning your fries:

• Basic seasonings: Start with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add garlic powder, paprika, or other spices you like.
• Drizzle with oil: Before seasoning, drizzle the fries with olive oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil. Toss the fries to ensure they are evenly coated.
• Customise the seasoning: Try adding grated lemon zest and Parmesan cheese to the mix. Alternatively, add paprika, chilli powder, or garlic salt for a kick.
• Soak the potatoes: For extra crispy fries, soak the cut potatoes in cold water for an hour or overnight in the fridge. This helps remove excess starch. Make sure to pat the potatoes dry before adding oil and seasoning.
• Herbs: Toss the fries with fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme before air frying.
• Lemon-pepper seasoning: This is another option for seasoning your fries.
• Cajun seasoning: Sprinkle Cajun seasoning over the fries for a spicy kick.
• Garlic butter fries: Brush the fries with butter, diced garlic, and finely chopped parsley during the final 15 minutes of baking.
• Onion powder: Sprinkle onion powder over the oiled fries for extra flavour.
• Herb de Provence salt: Use this for a rustic French twist on your fries.

Feel free to experiment with different combinations of seasonings and herbs to find your favourite flavour!

Cooking method

Ingredients

To make seasoned fries in an air fryer, you will need the following ingredients:

• Potatoes (russet potatoes are recommended for their rich, buttery taste and starchy texture, but you can also use Yukon gold potatoes, red potatoes, or sweet potatoes)
• Olive oil (or another oil of your choice, such as vegetable, canola, or garlic oil)
• Seasonings (such as sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, or onion powder)
• Optional: additional ingredients for dipping or coating, such as cornstarch, butter, parsley, or cheese

Preparation

First, prepare your potatoes by scrubbing and peeling them if desired. Cut the potatoes into fries of your desired thickness; most recipes recommend a thickness of 1/4 to 1/2 inch for crispy fries. You can also leave the peel on for added texture and flavour, but be sure to wash and scrub the potatoes well.

Next, soak your cut potatoes in a bowl of cold water for at least 30 minutes, or even overnight in the fridge, to remove excess starch. This step will help your fries crisp up more in the air fryer. After soaking, drain the water and pat the potatoes dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel.

Now it's time to season your fries! Place the potatoes in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil, tossing to coat evenly. Then, sprinkle your desired seasonings over the fries and toss again to ensure an even coating. You can also add other ingredients at this stage, such as cornstarch or butter, for extra crispiness.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to between 375-400°F (190-200°C). Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not stacked on top of each other. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the fries in multiple batches.

Cook the fries for 10-15 minutes, flipping or shaking the basket halfway through, until they are crispy and golden brown. For thinner fries, you may need a bit less time, while thicker fries may require a few extra minutes. If you are cooking multiple batches, place the cooked fries on a baking sheet lined with paper towels and keep them in a warm oven (set to a low temperature) while the rest of the batches are cooking.

Once all batches are cooked, you can toss them all back into the air fryer together for 1-2 minutes to warm them up and ensure they are all crispy. Serve your fries hot with your favourite dipping sauce!

Tips

• Work in batches to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
• Check your fries regularly to prevent overcooking or burning.
• For extra crispiness, soak your potatoes for longer, pat them dry thoroughly, and use a mandoline to cut them into fries.
• Experiment with different seasonings and dips to find your favourite combinations!

Serving suggestions

Dips and sauces

Air fryer fries are great with a variety of dips and sauces. Here are some ideas:

• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Mayo
• Chipotle sauce
• Ranch dressing
• BBQ sauce
• Cheese sauce
• Aioli
• Honey mustard
• Cocktail sauce
• Fry sauce
• Buttermilk ranch
• Onion ring dipping sauce

Herbs and spices

You can also dress up your fries with herbs and spices:

• Fresh herbs
• Chili powder
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Sea salt
• Pepper
• Cajun seasoning
• Lemon pepper seasoning
• Lemon zest
• Parmesan
• Paprika
• Chili powder
• Oregano
• Feta
• Garam masala

Sides

Air fryer fries can be served as a side dish with:

• Veggie burgers
• Salads
• Corn on the cob
• Portobello mushroom burger
• Crispy cauliflower po' boy sandwich
• BBQ jackfruit sandwich

Other tips

• If you're making a large batch, cook the fries in several smaller batches to ensure they cook evenly.
• If you're making multiple batches, keep the cooked fries warm and crispy by placing them in a single layer on a wire rack in a warm oven (around 200°F or 93°C) until ready to serve.

Frequently asked questions