AIR FRYING TIPS: AIR FRYER FRENCH FRIES

CAN YOU MAKE FRENCH FRIES IN AN AIR FRYER?

Yes! You can make great tasting homemade French fries in the air fryer. In fact, many fans say there’s no going back to deep fat frying because air fryers can do such a great job of replicating the taste of traditional French fries without all the extra grease. And an air fryer doesn’t stop at French fries when it comes to recreating a less greasy version of some of your favorite deep fried foods. There’s a world of veggies – and proteins – that come out crispy on the outside and tender on the inside when prepared in an air fryer. 

WHY USE AN AIR FRYER TO MAKE FRENCH FRIES?

Air fryer fries come out crispy on the outside with fluffy, soft interiors. An air fryer uses a combination of hot air and heating elements to deliver crispy foods. Air fryers deliver a constant stream of hot air that continuously circulates around foods, helping to create an evenly cooked surface.

You can bake French fries in a traditional oven but without an air fryer basket or air fryer technology you won’t get the same delicious “French fried” results. Using a perforated basket in a convection oven can help you achieve crispy French fries. Like air fryers, convection ovens circulate hot air around foods to produce that delicious crispy exterior. The moving air in convection ovens and air fryers also help remove moisture from the surface of the food which will help contribute to the crispiness and browning as well.

Because air fryers use a fraction of the oil, many Makers love the fact that they can create this guilty pleasure without all the guilt. The Digital Countertop Oven with Air Fry from KitchenAid brand offers endless fresh and healthy possibilities when it comes to air fryer fries and much more.

WHAT KINDS OF FRENCH FRIES CAN YOU MAKE IN AN AIR FRYER?

When it comes to air fryer fries, the possibilities are limited only by your imagination. Everything from potatoes and root vegetables to broccoli, asparagus, avocados, mushrooms and brussel sprouts are great candidates for air fryer fries. And of course, the air fryer is a perfect tool for preparing delicate fishes, chicken tenders or wings, steak, taquitos and more.

BEST POTATOES TO MAKE FRENCH FRIES

Making homemade French fries in the air fryer starts with picking great potatoes. No matter which type of potato you use, you’ll want to give them a good scrub under cool water and remove any “eyes” or dark spots before you begin cooking. The most popular potatoes to use for French fries are russets. These are the potatoes that most restaurants use to get really crispy fries. You can also use Yukon gold potatoes for your French fries but they’ll deviate from the restaurant-style French fry taste. Skin or no skin? It’s really up to you, the skin has vitamins and can add an interesting texture to your fries but skinless fries have their own unique appeal. 

• Russet Potatoes: Also known as Idaho potatoes, these spuds are high in starch and low in moisture and they create air fryer French fries that are closest to what you find in many restaurants. Expect a fry that’s crispy on the outside and soft and drier on the inside.

• Yukon Gold Potatoes: These buttery potatoes will produce a richer tasting French fry that’s crisp on the outside and creamy on the inside. These potatoes are also great for making baked potatoes.

HOW TO CUT POTATOES INTO FRIES

Before you begin, keep in mind that one of the keys to great fries is cutting them a uniform size so they cook evenly. The thinner you slice them, the quicker they cook. Cutting potatoes into ¼"-⅜" strips that are 3"- 4" long will help produce tasty fries. Begin by cutting about a ¼" off the end of the potato to create a stable base. Lay the cut end on a cutting board, then cut the potato into ¼"-⅜" planks. Stack the planks, then cut them into ¼"-⅜" strips that are 3"- 4" long.

WHY IS SOAKING POTATOES BEFORE FRYING IMPORTANT? 

If you want crispy fries that don’t stick together, you can’t skip soaking the potatoes. The soaking will remove some of the excess starch on your potatoes to help ensure a crispy texture. A 10-30 minute soak in a bowl of cold water will do the trick. But a longer soak won’t hurt either. You can also blanch your potatoes or use hot water to get the cooking started and help create that craveable “double-fried” texture. After soaking the potatoes in the bowl of water, rinse them thoroughly, then pat dry with a clean cloth or paper towels before you toss them in a single layer in the air fryer.  

If you’re cooking air fryer sweet potato fries, there’s no need to soak them because they contain less starch than russets. Plus, the sugar in sweet potatoes will help them crisp.

HOMEMADE FRENCH FRIES AND MORE IN AN AIR FRYER

Creating mouthwatering, homemade fries is quick and fun thanks to air fryer technology. Just how long and at what temperature to air fry classic homemade French fries and other delicious air fryer fries will depend on things like the kind of air fryer you’re using, the type and size of your fry, how crowded your basket is and how well done you like your air fries. There’s no one size fits all answer to these questions. But here are some additional tips on frying air fryer fries including a chart with general guidelines on time and temperature.

AIR FRYER FRENCH FRIES

For a tasty twist on homemade air fryer French fries experiment with different oils. Olive oil and peanut oil can bring delicious earthy flavor notes to fries. Grapeseed oil and canola oils are more neutral in flavor so they can really highlight the taste of your potatoes. For a little extra indulgence, finish your fries with a little truffle oil and a sprinkling of parmesan cheese. Remember, you only need a tablespoon or two of oil (at most) to achieve a nice crisp on your fries. For info on how long to air fry air fryer French fries and what temperature to fry air fryer French fries check out our guide below.

AIR FRYER FROZEN FRENCH FRIES

Keep in mind that frozen fries take a little longer than homemade air fry French fries to crisp up. The type of frozen French fries you use will impact timing. Because they’re skinny, frozen shoestring fries will take less time, in general, than a waffle, crinkle cut or a frozen sweet potato fry. See our chart below for how long to air fry frozen french fries and what temperature to fry frozen french fries.

AIR FRYER SWEET POTATO FRIES

This popular alternative to regular potatoes brings a sweet, earthy vibe to meals. And sweet potatoes don't require soaking because they contain less starch than russets, but they’ll crisp nicely in the air fryer, thanks to the sugar they contain. Because the extra sugar in sweet potatoes might cause them to burn, you’ll want to start checking them about 5 minutes before they’re supposed to be done. To help get your sweet potatoes to just the right crisp, see our chart below for how long to air fry sweet potato fries and what temperature to fry sweet potato fries. 

AIR FRYER ZUCCHINI FRIES

Lower in carbs than potatoes, air fryer zucchini fries can be a delicious choice for anyone watching their carb intake. These fries will need a coating of some kind to help with the crisp factor. Of course, panko will make a great, crunchy, coating. But to really help lower the “carb quotient,” simply substitute a little almond flour and parmesan for breadcrumbs or regular flour in your coating mixture. To keep zucchini fries from going limp and soggy in the air fryer, don’t overlap. And be sure and consult our chart below for how long to air fry zucchini fries and what temperature to fry zucchini fries.

AIR FRYER FRIES TIME AND TEMPERATURE GUIDE

Here are some general guidelines for air frying different fries. Keep in mind that air fryers vary widely, so time and temperature may differ depending on your appliance.

BEST SEASONING FOR FRIES

You’ve carefully cut your veggies into uniform pieces, tossed them in a little oil and air fried them (without overcrowding!) to crispy, savory perfection in your air fryer. You can toss your homemade fries with a little kosher salt and call it a delicious day, or you can experiment with a variety of flavors and seasonings. 

There’s a world of different salts on the market that can add a little something special to a fry. Try finishing your fries with a sprinkle of Himalayan Pink Salt for a pure, bold flavor. Or a little Fleur De Sel will bring a subtle taste of the sea to your fries. Garlic salt, onion salt, lemon pepper salt, seasoning salt and Old Bay also work great. If you want to add some heat, try a dash of smoky paprika, chipotle powder, curry powder or chili powder. Keep it fresh with a handful of chopped herbs. And, of course, a little grated cheese never hurt any fry.

And don’t forget about dips and sauces. Try using yogurt as a base instead of mayo to keep it light and fresh. Dress up your fries with twists on homemade ketchup like this recipe for tangy and sweet Tomato Mango Ketchup. And for a delicious sandwich to accompany your air fryer fries, don’t miss the chance to try these Air Fryer Chicken Katsu Sandwiches.

CAN YOU REHEAT FRENCH FRIES IN AN AIR FRYER?

Air fryer fries reheat beautifully in the air fryer. Because they contain less oil, these fries don’t get soggy when reheated. Simply preheat a pan in a 375ºF air fryer and spread the fries on the hot pan in a single layer to help them re-crisp. Then warm to your preferred temperature and enjoy. Remember to clean your air fryer once it has cooled down.

MAKE GREAT AIR FRYER FRENCH FRIES IN YOUR KITCHEN

Explore a world of new and exciting culinary inspiration with the KitchenAid^® Digital Countertop Oven with Air Fry. Boasting a small footprint and the same possibilities as a full size oven, this countertop workhorse, featuring the KitchenAid^® 360º Air Fry System and the No-Flip Air Fry Basket, lets you cook foods from crisp French fries to delicate fish, without flipping.