Air Fryer French Fries are Guilt Free, Addictive and Crowd Favorite Snack. No Deep Frying involved. So grab a bowl of your favorite home made fries and enjoy game nights or weekend movie nights.
Air Fryer French Fries is an easy appetizer or snack recipe made with potatoes. These fries are soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. They make a delicious side to burgers, sandwiches or can be eaten plain with tomato ketchup!
French Fries are also popularly known as Potato Fries. In India and UK, they are known as Chips or Finger Chips too.
When you think of fast food, French fries are the first thing that come to your mind. Who doesn't love French Fries? I mean, the snack is just so addictive and why not? The primary ingredient - Potatoes are everyone's favorite.
Like most fast food dishes, these fries, traditionally, are deep fried and generously sprinkled with salt. Using modern techniques of cooking that reduce or limit the amount of oil consumed is what makes this snack easy and doable. For people like me who constantly want to look at healthier ways to include their favourite food without compromising on taste, Air Fryer is a blessing!
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Kids love fries almost as much as adults and it wouldn't hurt serving them a bowl of Air Fried fries for a change when they demand their favorite fast food meal at home.
When we first bought our Philips Air Fryer 3 years ago, the first thing we tried were French Fries and since then, I haven't deep fried a batch at home.
I also have a recipe of Sweet Potato Fries in Air Fryer which can be tried when tubers or root vegetables are in season. These are a tad bit sweet and taste so good on their own. You could also try Air Fryer Kale Chips with a variety of seasonings or dips.
Why Air Fryer French Fries are a healthier choice?
- They are NOT Deep fried or to be more specific, fried twice!
- The recipe uses just 1 tsp of olive oil for 2 potatoes that provides a bowlful of fries enough for 2 people.
- We can limit the amount of sodium (salt) used in homemade fries and serve them with a vegetable or bean loaded burgers, sandwiches etc.
- No worry about oil being re-used.
These Fries have a crispy exterior with a soft centre, similar to fried ones. The main worry about any fried food is that it wont be crispy enough but that is not the same for these Air Fryer French Fries.
Variety of Potatoes
- Use high starch potatoes. Old potatoes work well in this case. New potatoes have a lot of moisture and would make soggy fries. The ones with good moisture work well for mashed potatoes.
- In India, unfortunately, we get very few varieties of potatoes and hence in that case, please try using the old potatoes and not the new ones for trying this recipe.
This post will also cover details on how to achieve crispy fries (please read further)
How to Cut Potatoes for Fries?
- Peel the potatoes, slice them thick (depends on how thick or thin you like your fries), stack them and then cut them lengthwise.
- Thickness of the fries depends on personal preference. We prefer thicker fries at home. The matchstick ones become super crispy and lack that soft centre after air frying.
To be honest, I don't measure the thickness while cutting the potatoes for fries. I just eyeball and then make the most of what I have.
It is not necessary to peel the skin but I prefer doing that.
Frozen Fries
- In case you have to make a large batch of fries for entertaining or serving a large crowd, you could buy pre-cut fries and use them.
- Ensure you thaw it completely, pat dry excess moisture and proceed with the next steps.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1 - Once you cut the potatoes (please check how to cut potatoes for fries above), wash them for atleast 3 to 4 times or until the water is clear. This will remove excess starch (foamy white bubbles). (see pic on the left)
Step 2 - Soak the potatoes in ice cold water for atleast 15 to 20 minutes. (see pic on the right side below)
Step 1 Step 2
Drain the water, arrange the fries in a tray covered with a tea towel to drain excess moisture. (Step 3)
Place another towel on top and lightly press to remove moisture from the top. Keep aside for 15 to 20 minutes until the fries are dry. (Step 4 and 5 below)
Step 3 Step 4 Step 5
6. Pre-heat the air fryer at 200 Degrees Celsius for 5 minutes. Brush or spray oil inside the basket / mesh.
7. Place the fries carefully and do not crowd the basket. We will be frying these in 2 batches.
8. Air Fry at 200 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes. Remove and brush or spray some olive oil and again air fry them at 180 Degrees Celsius for 10 minutes until golden brown at the edges and crispy.
9. Repeat the process with the 2nd batch. You will have a bowl full of fries ready to eat.
Recipe Notes -
- Reducing the temperature for the 2nd time helps in reducing excess browning and crisp edges.
- Do not over crowd the basket. The fries will clump and stick together and it would result in uneven cooking.
Seasoning Ideas
Once the basic fries are ready, sky is the limit in terms of variations and seasonings. Go easy on store bought sauces or mayo as they are high in calories, packed with preservatives and sodium.
- Cayenne Pepper, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, dried Oregano and salt
- Classic Salt and Pepper
- Store Bought Peri Peri Seasoning
- Store Bought Ranch Dressing, Honey Mustard or Tomato Ketchup to be used as a dipping sauce
- For an Indian Touch, you could opt for a sprinkling or ground cumin and / or garam masala powder along with salt.
- For Spicy fries, toss the fries with some Kashmiri red chilli powder or smoked paprika powder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Soaking helps get rid of excess starch. Excess starch leads to soggy fries.
If you are looking for a lighter version of fries that are not deep fried or soaked in oil, Air Fryers are the best option. It helps you eat your favorite foods with less oil, including fries.
The best part about Air Frying French fries is that you can re-heat and enjoy the leftovers too. Just add leftover fries in the basket, spray oil and air fry at 150 degrees Celsius for 5 to 8 minutes or until crisp.
Not exactly but they are close. Air Frying helps you cut down on oil drastically thereby allowing you to enjoy such snacks once in a while.
Other Air Fryer Snack Recipes on the blog
- Air Fryer Corn Pakoda (Corn Fritters) - Ideal tea time snack with a side of coriander chutney
- Air Fryer Cauliflower Tikka - Can be used in wraps, tortilla, tacos or enjoyed with a side of chutney and ketchup.
- Veg Cutlets - Mixed Vegetable cutlets without cornflour or breadcrumbs made in Air Fryer
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Air Fryer French Fries | Finger Chips | Potato Fries
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 Potatoes medium size
- 1 tsp Olive Oil or use oil spray
- Salt to taste
- Chilled Water as required to soak the potatoes
Instructions
- Peel the potatoes, cut them half lengthwise and then into slices.
- Cut the slices into thick sticks (approximately 1/4 inch thick sticks)
- Once the potato sticks are ready, soak them in a bowl of water and wash them couple of times until the water is clear. This will remove excess starch.
- Now soak the potatoes in ice cold water for atleast 15 to 20 minutes.
- After 20 mins, drain the water, rinse and then arrange the fries in a tray lined with a kitchen towel or tea towel to drain excess moisture.
- Place another towel on top and lightly press to remove moisture from the top. Keep aside for 15 to 20 minutes until the fries are dry.
- Pre-heat the air fryer at 200 Degrees Celsius for 5 minutes. Brush oil inside the basket / mesh.
- Place the fries carefully and do not crowd the basket. We will be frying these in 2 batches.
- Air Fry at 200 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes. Remove and brush or spray some olive oil and again air fry them at 180 Degrees Celsius for 10 minutes until crispy and golden brown at the edges.
- Repeat the same with the remaining batch of fries. Serve with ketchup or as a side with burgers or sandwich.
Notes
- Reducing the temperature for the 2nd time helps in reducing excess browning and crisp edges.
- Do not over crowd the basket. The fries will clump and stick together and it would result in uneven cooking.
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We will be back again with yet another exciting recipe .. Until then, stay healthy and happy!
Vidya Narayan
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