Air Fryer Face-Off: Perfect French Fries

Air fryers are a great alternative to deep fryers, offering a healthier, quicker, and less messy way to cook. They are perfect for making French fries, requiring minimal preparation and very little oil.

The best air fryer for making French fries will be able to reach high temperatures, have a large enough basket to cook a sufficient number of fries, and have a way to ensure even cooking, such as a way to shake or toss the fries.

Some popular air fryers that are great for making French fries include the Ninja Air Fryer, Phillips Air Fryer, Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer, and the Ninja Foodi.

To make French fries in an air fryer, simply cut your potatoes into fries, soak them in water to remove excess starch, pat them dry, season, and cook in the air fryer at around 375-400°F for 10-20 minutes, tossing halfway through.

The best type of potato to use

Russet potatoes, also known as Idaho potatoes, are starchier and result in fries that are crispy on the outside and drier on the inside. They have a classic potato flavour and are often used in restaurants.

On the other hand, Yukon gold potatoes are waxier and yield fries that are equally crispy on the outside but have a firmer and creamier inside. Yukon gold potatoes also have a naturally buttery taste, giving the French fries a richer flavour.

When it comes to choosing the best potato for air fryer French fries, it is recommended to try both types and decide which one you prefer. However, if you are looking for a healthier option, Russet potatoes are the way to go as they contain less starch.

Additionally, leaving the potato skins on for fries has several benefits. It adds more flavour, a great crispy texture, and also provides added fibre and nutrients. Moreover, leaving the skins on saves time during preparation!

How to cut potatoes for fries

The key to getting the perfect French fry is to cut the potatoes into matchsticks that are about 1/4-inch wide on each side and 3 to 4 inches in length. This ensures that the fries cook evenly and achieve the desired crispiness. You can use a mandoline for easy cutting and to ensure uniform fries, or you can use a sharp knife.

It is important to cut the potatoes into similar-sized pieces so that they cook at the same rate. Aim for them to be about 1/4-inch thick. You don't need to worry too much about making each fry the exact same size, as having some bigger and some smaller fries is fine.

If you prefer thicker-cut fries, you can also cut the potatoes into wedges.

The benefits of soaking potatoes

Soaking potatoes before frying them is an essential step in achieving the perfect french fry. While it may seem like an unnecessary hassle, soaking potatoes in water helps to remove excess starch, which in turn allows the potatoes to become crispier when fried. The water also helps the potatoes retain their shape and contributes to a fluffy inside.

The length of time you should soak potatoes depends on the thickness of the cut. For thin, shoestring fries, potatoes should soak for up to 12 hours. Thicker-cut fries should soak for up to 24 hours. However, if you are short on time, a minimum of 15 minutes of soaking will still help improve the crispiness of your fries.

As fries cook, the heat draws out moisture. The starch in the potatoes prevents this moisture from escaping, which is why soaking them to remove starch is so important. By removing the excess starch, you allow the fries to become crispier.

Other Tips for Crispy French Fries

In addition to soaking the potatoes, there are a few other things you can do to ensure your french fries turn out crispy and delicious. Firstly, be sure to dry the potatoes thoroughly after soaking, as any residual moisture can lead to soggy fries. Secondly, cook the fries in a single layer in the air fryer or fryer, as overcrowding can cause them to steam instead of crisp. Finally, consider double frying your potatoes. The first round of frying at a lower heat softens the potato and starts the water absorption process, while the second round at a higher heat finishes absorbing the water and creates the ideal crunchy texture.

How many layers of potatoes to cook at once

The number of layers of potatoes you can cook at once depends on the level of crispiness you want to achieve. Cooking potatoes in a single layer yields the crispiest fries. However, this method requires more batches and extends the total cooking time.

Stacking potatoes in two layers produces fries that are slightly less crispy but still delightful and satisfying. This approach reduces the number of batches by half, making it a good balance between crispiness and faster cooking time.

On the other hand, stacking potatoes in three layers or more is not recommended as it results in noticeably less crispy fries.

The best seasonings to use

If you're looking for something with a bit of spice, Cajun seasoning can be sprinkled over the fries for a bold kick. Alternatively, try a taco seasoning blend with chili powder, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, and oregano. For an Italian twist, add some Italian seasoning to your fries. If you're a fan of curry, a shake or two of curry powder will give your fries a warm and richly spiced flavour.

For an elegant, restaurant-worthy spin, try adding truffle salt and topping your finished fries with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. You can also sprinkle on some nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavour without the dairy. Don't be afraid to get creative and experiment with different combinations of seasonings to find your favourite!

Frequently asked questions