French Fries
Ingredients
- 3 medium potatoes
- 1 tbsp oil
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika or red chilli powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder (optional)
Steps
- 1
Cut the potatoes
Peel potatoes and cut into sticks about 1 cm thick. Try to keep them uniform so they cook evenly.
- 2
Soak in cold water
Soak the cut potatoes in cold water for 20–30 minutes. This removes excess starch, which is the key to crispy fries. Drain and pat completely dry with a kitchen towel.
- 3
Season
Toss the dried potato sticks with oil, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder if using. Make sure every piece is lightly coated.
- 4
Preheat air fryer
Preheat air fryer to 200 °C for 5 minutes.
- 5
First cook
Place fries in the basket in a single layer. Do not pile them up — cook in batches if needed. Air fry at 200 °C for 12 minutes.
- 6
Shake and finish
Shake the basket or toss the fries. Continue cooking for another 6–8 minutes until golden and crispy. Serve immediately.
Tips for Best Results
💡 Dry the potatoes thoroughly
Moisture is the enemy of crispy fries. After soaking, pat them as dry as you can with a kitchen towel before adding oil.
💡 Single layer is non-negotiable
Overlapping fries steam each other instead of crisping. If you have a lot of potatoes, cook in two batches.
💡 Toss halfway through
Shaking the basket halfway ensures even browning on all sides. Skip this and the fries on the bottom will brown while the top stays pale.
💡 Serve immediately
Air-fried fries lose their crispness quickly as moisture re-enters from the steam. Eat within 5 minutes of cooking.
About this recipe ↓About this recipe ↑
The Air Fryer Is Made for French Fries
French fries were arguably the dish that launched the air fryer into mainstream kitchens. The circulating hot air creates the same Maillard reaction that gives deep-fried potatoes their golden colour and crispy exterior — but with just a fraction of the oil.
During India's LPG shortage, the air fryer proves its worth again. No gas stove, no wok full of oil, no risk of burns — just crispy fries in 20 minutes.
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Your Air Fryer Can Do Much More
French fries are just the start. Explore our complete collection of no-gas air fryer recipes for everything from omelettes to paneer tikka to grilled sandwiches.
