Air Fryer Skin-On Fries: The Perfect Crisp!

Making skin-on fries in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep-fried French fries. The air fryer uses a small amount of oil to create a similar taste and texture to traditionally fried food. To make skin-on fries, first, scrub and clean the potatoes. Cut them into even-sized sticks, about 1/4-inch thick. Rinse the sticks in cold water and pat them dry. Place the fries in a bowl and add olive oil, salt, and any other desired seasonings. Toss the fries to coat them evenly. Place the fries in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between each fry. Air fry at 375-400°F for 12-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Repeat with the remaining potatoes if needed. Finally, toss all the fries together in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes to warm them up and make them crispy.

Potato preparation: scrub, peel, chop, and soak

Scrub

Give your potatoes a good wash and scrub to remove any dirt. If you're using older potatoes, you may also need to remove any eyes. Leaving the peel on saves time and adds flavour, texture, fibre, and nutrients to your fries. However, if you prefer a smoother texture, you can peel the potatoes.

Chop

Cut the potatoes into fries. For even cooking, cut the fries to a similar size—about 1/4-inch thick. You can use a mandoline, a vegetable knife, a potato chipper, or a sharp knife.

Soak

Soaking the potatoes in water helps to remove excess starch so that the fries will be crispier. Place the cut potatoes in a bowl of cold water for at least an hour, or use hot water to cook the potatoes slightly and create a "double-fried" effect. Change the water after 20-30 minutes if using cold water.

After soaking, pat the potatoes very dry with kitchen or paper towels. This will help them to crisp up.

Oil and seasoning: olive oil, salt, and pepper

Oil

Olive oil is a great choice for air fryer fries. You only need a light drizzle or a couple of tablespoons to get that crispy, crunchy texture. The amount of oil you use will depend on how many potatoes you're cooking. You can also use other types of oil, such as vegetable oil or canola oil, or even flavoured oils like garlic oil or chile oil.

Salt

Salt is essential for bringing out the flavour of the fries and creating that irresistible salty, crunchy snack. You can use regular salt, seasoning salt, or even something fancy like Maldon salt or truffle salt. Add salt to taste, but be careful not to overseason.

Pepper

Pepper adds a kick of flavour to your fries. You can use ground black pepper or freshly ground pepper for a more intense flavour. Add as much or as little as you like, depending on your preference for spice.

Preparing the Potatoes

When preparing the potatoes, cut them into fries of a similar size, about 1/4-inch thick. This ensures they cook evenly. You don't need to peel the potatoes—the skin helps them crisp up and adds fibre and nutrients. After cutting, rinse the potatoes in cold water and pat them dry.

Seasoning

Toss the cut potatoes in a large bowl with olive oil, salt, and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or herbs like rosemary or thyme. Make sure the spices and oil are well distributed.

Cooking the Fries

Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving a little space between each fry. Cook at 375-400°F for 10-15 minutes, tossing or flipping them halfway through. The cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer model, so keep an eye on them to avoid burning.

Serving

Serve your air fryer fries hot with your favourite dipping sauce. They're great on their own or as a side dish. Enjoy the crispy, crunchy texture and flavour of your homemade fries!

Air fryer settings: temperature and duration

The ideal temperature and duration for your air fryer will depend on the type of potato you are using, the thickness of your fries, and the number of layers you are cooking at once.

For russet potatoes, the ideal temperature is between 375-400°F (190-200°C). The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of your fries, but generally, it will take between 8 to 20 minutes. If your fries are on the thinner side, check on them after 8 minutes to ensure they don't burn. For thicker-cut fries, you may need to cook them for up to 20 minutes.

For Yukon gold potatoes, the temperature and duration will be similar to russet potatoes. However, Yukon gold potatoes will result in fries that have a firmer and creamier inside while still being crispy on the outside.

When it comes to the number of layers, cooking the fries in a single layer will result in the crispiest fries but will require multiple batches. Cooking in a double layer will give you slightly less crispy fries but will cut down on the number of batches. Cooking in three or more layers is not recommended as the fries will be noticeably less crispy.

Additionally, it is recommended to preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees F for 3 minutes before adding the potatoes. During cooking, remember to toss or flip the fries once or twice to ensure even cooking.

• Temperature: 375-400°F (190-200°C)
• Cooking time: 8 to 20 minutes, depending on thickness
• Single or double layer of potatoes for best results
• Preheat air fryer for 3 minutes
• Toss or flip fries once or twice during cooking

Layering: single or double layers

When making skin-on fries in an air fryer, it's important to consider the number of layers you'll be cooking at once. While the air fryer's basket has a large volume capacity, certain foods, like fries, need to be cooked in a single layer to ensure even cooking and achieve the desired crispiness.

Cooking the potatoes in a single layer yields the best, crispiest results. However, this method requires making multiple batches, which can be time-consuming and defeat the purpose of the air fryer's quicker cook time.

On the other hand, stacking the potatoes in two layers results in fries that are slightly less crisp but still delicious and satisfying. This approach reduces the number of batches needed, making it a good compromise between crispiness and cooking time.

Stacking the potatoes in three or more layers is not recommended, as the fries will be noticeably less crisp and won't have the desired "fried" texture.

To make the best skin-on fries in an air fryer, it's crucial to find the right balance between crispiness and cooking time. For the perfect balance, it is recommended to cook the potatoes in no more than two layers at a time. This method ensures that the fries will be crispy and golden brown while also reducing the overall cooking time.

Post-fry treatment: reheating, storing, and freezing

Reheating

If you have leftover skin-on fries, the best way to reheat them is in the air fryer. This method will ensure that your fries get crispy again without drying them out. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C) and arrange the fries in a single layer in the basket or tray, allowing for air circulation. Cook for about 2-3 minutes, and they're ready to be served!

Storing

If you have leftover skin-on fries, proper storage is essential to maintain their flavor and texture. Allow the fries to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. You can store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, but it is recommended to eat them within 2 days for the best texture.

Freezing

While there is no specific information on freezing skin-on air fryer fries, a similar method can be applied as with freezing regular fries. You can freeze the cooked fries in airtight containers or freezer bags. When you're ready to eat them, you can reheat them directly from frozen in the air fryer, following the same reheating instructions provided above.

Frequently asked questions