Air fryer French Fries are a new game-changing way to cook French fries without heating a pot of oil, making a mess, and dealing with the smell of frying. I love how french fries in an air fryer are quick and easy to make; as simple as cutting up some potatoes, tossing them in a bit of oil, and letting the machine work its magic. Plus, french fries in an air fryer are prepared twice as fast as oven-baked, and the clean-up is a breeze!
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Air fryers have become a popular kitchen appliance in recent years, and my family was no exception to jumping on the air fryer bandwagon and try making our own crispy french fries at home. Our first attempt was a bit of a disaster – we overcrowded the air fryer basket and ended up with soggy fries that didn’t crisp up as we had hoped. But after some trial and error, we discovered the secret to making the perfect air fryer french fries that quickly became a favorite at our dinner table.
Air Fryer French Fries Recipe
Creating the perfect air fryer French fries starts with selecting the right type of potato. Russet potatoes are a popular choice due to their high starch content, contributing to that ideal crispy exterior and fluffy interior. Here’s a detailed recipe to get you started:
Ingredients:
- 2 large Russet potatoes (or 4 medium)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Optional seasonings (garlic powder, paprika, etc.)
Instructions:
Prep the Potatoes: Wash the potatoes. Using a sharp kitchen knife, cut them into uniform strips, about 1/4 inch thick. Uniformity ensures even cooking.
Soak and Dry: Place the cut potatoes in a bowl of cold water and soak for at least 10 minutes. This step removes excess starch, which helps achieve a crispier texture. Drain and pat the potatoes dry with a towel. Moisture is the enemy of crispiness!
Season and Cook: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, toss the dried potatoes with olive oil, salt, and any other desired seasonings.
Arrange the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
Cook for 10-14 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.
When done, your fries should be golden brown and crispy on the outside, with a tender inside. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Secret to a Crispy French Fries in Air Fryer
The Baking Soda Method
If you want to take your air fryer French fries to the next level, here’s a tip I swear by. Add a tablespoon of baking soda to the water when soaking your potato slices. This little trick helps break down the pectin in the potatoes, making them crispier when cooked. My kids couldn’t believe how crunchy they turned out the first time I tried this!
The Blanching Technique
Another fantastic method I picked up from Jo-Ann on YouTube is blanching the potatoes before air frying them. Blanching involves adding boiling water to the potato slices for a few minutes. Place potatoes in a glass or metal bowl and add hot boiling water just to cover them fully. Do not boil further. Let the potatoes sit in the hot water for 15 minutes, then gently pat dry and season. This step pre-cooks the potatoes slightly, ensuring they come out perfectly tender on the inside while staying crispy on the outside. Trust me; it’s worth the extra effort.
Tips for Success
Achieving the perfect air fryer French fries involves more than just following a recipe. Here are some tips to ensure your fries turn out great every time:
- Uniform Cutting: Cut your potatoes into uniform sizes to ensure they cook evenly. A mandoline slicer or a French fry cutter can be handy for this task.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking and soggy fries. Cook in batches if necessary to maintain a single layer of fries in the air fryer basket.
- Shake It Up: Shaking the air fryer basket halfway through cooking helps to promote even browning. If your air fryer has a rotating basket, even better!
- Oil Matters: While you might be tempted to skip the oil altogether, a small amount helps in achieving that crispy texture we all love. Olive oil is a healthy choice, but you can experiment with other oils like avocado or coconut oil.
- Time and Temperature: Every air fryer is different. It may take a few tries to find the perfect time and temperature setting for your specific model. Start with the suggested settings and adjust as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Even with the best tips, you might run into some issues while air frying. Here are answers to common questions and troubleshooting tips to help you perfect your fries.
Should I Peel Potato Skins?
It’s all about personal preference. If you leave the skins on, your potato will have a nice contrast with a fluffy inside and a touch of earthy flavor. The skins can also contribute to a crispier exterior, creating the golden-brown finish that I always crave. On the other hand, if you peel the skin off, you get a smooth, even taste that brings out the potato’s natural sweetness. For me, I prefer keeping the skins intact. Those leftover potato skins turn out to be incredibly crunchy and appetizing when prepared using the air fryer. Air fryer Potato Peels Recipe.
Can I use a Rotating Basket?
Yes! When paired with a rotating basket, the air fryer becomes even more efficient. The basket constantly moves your fries around, ensuring each piece gets equal exposure to hot air for uniform crispiness. Place your seasoned fries into the rotating basket—be careful not to overcrowd it as this can hinder proper airflow—and set the timer for about 12-16 minutes. Halfway through cooking, pause the machine briefly if needed to check on their progress; every model is slightly different so keep an eye out until you find what works best for yours.
Can I Use Frozen French Fries?
Yes, you can. Frozen french fries can be cooked directly in the air fryer. Adjust your cooking time and temperature according to the package instructions, but reduce the time slightly since air fryers cook faster.
What Oil Should I Use?
Olive oil is a healthy option that works well, but you can also use avocado oil or canola oil. Just be sure to use a high smoke point oil for best results.
What type of potatoes should I use?
I love the classic flavor of russet potatoes, but you can also use Yukon golds which will work well for this recipe.
Tip: Russet potatoes have superior results in air frying because they turn fluffy inside and crispy outside.
How to Store and Reheat
Once cooled, store the leftover French fries in an airtight container for up to 4 days, or freeze them for up to 3 months. When it’s time to indulge again, don’t settle for the microwave; instead, a quick trip back to the air fryer brings them back to life. Air fry for 4-5 minutes at 375F, flipping halfway. Each bite will remind you why air fryer French fries are simply irresistible!
Air Fryer Potato Recipes You’ll Love
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Crispy and Fluffy Air Fryer French Fries Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 Russet potatoes 2 large Russet potatoes or 4 medium
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Optional seasonings
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder, paprika, etc.
Instructions
- Prep the Potatoes: Wash the potatoes. Using a sharp kitchen knife, cut them into uniform strips, about ¼ inch thick. Uniformity ensures even cooking.
- Soak and Dry: Place the cut potatoes in a bowl of cold water and soak for at least 10 minutes. This step removes excess starch, which helps achieve a crispier texture. Drain and pat the potatoes dry with a towel. Moisture is the enemy of crispiness!
- Season and Cook: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, toss the dried potatoes with olive oil, salt, and any other desired seasonings.
- Arrange the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Cook for 10-14 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- When done, your fries should be golden brown and crispy on the outside, with a tender inside. Serve with your favorite dip and enjoy! My top picks are this DIY Chipotle dip and our take on the Chick-Fil-A sauce.
Notes
Secret to a Crispy Air Fryer French Fries
The Baking Soda Method. If you want to take your air fryer French fries to the next level, here’s a tip I swear by. Add a tablespoon of baking soda to the water when soaking your potato slices. This little trick helps break down the pectin in the potatoes, making them crispier when cooked. My kids couldn’t believe how crunchy they turned out the first time I tried this! The Blanching Technique. Another fantastic method I picked up from Jo-Ann on YouTube is blanching the potatoes before air frying them. Blanching involves adding boiling water to the potato slices for a few minutes. Place potatoes in a glass or metal bowl and add hot boiling water just to cover them fully. Do not boil further. Let the potatoes sit in the hot water for 15 minutes, then gently pat dry and season. This step pre-cooks the potatoes slightly, ensuring they come out perfectly tender on the inside while staying crispy on the outside. Trust me; it’s worth the extra effort.Nutrition
Air frying them in my vortex rotisserie basket as I type this. Fingers crossed.
Yay! How did they turn out?
I get the same results with just a cold water bath and dry, But they do look good
Can I prepare the potatoes the night before? Maybe soak them over night or soak dry and keep in the fridge? Thanks.
Yes, absolutely! You can peel, cut, and soak the potatoes overnight in water—just keep them in the fridge. This helps remove excess starch and makes them crispier when air fried. Just be sure to drain and pat them completely dry before cooking. That’s the key to getting them golden and crispy! 🍟