Have you heard of the air fryer? This handy kitchen appliance allows you to prepare French fries with little oil. Find out why air-fried fries are an interesting alternative to the traditional deep fryer, how to make them extra crispy, and what you should pay attention to during preparation.
Air fryer: The alternative for crispy fries
Many things that taste really good are often high in fat. With an air fryer, you can prepare delicious dishes like French fries with significantly less oil than with traditional deep-frying. Hot air circulates in the cooking chamber, ensuring even browning.
The advantages at a glance:
Less oil:
A small amount of oil is enough for homemade fries.
Less hot fat odor:
Since the potatoes are not fried in an oil bath, there is less typical frying smell in the kitchen.
Easy cleaning:
Compared to a traditional deep fryer, there is no large oil bath that needs to be disposed of afterwards.
Crispy preparation:
With the right preparation and sufficient air circulation, fries in the air fryer can become crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
French fries from the air fryer: How to get them crispy
How to make the perfect fries:
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Prepare the potatoes: Peel waxy potatoes (e.g., Ditta or Laura) and cut them into strips about 10 mm thick.
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Remove starch: Rinse the potato strips thoroughly with cold water to remove excess starch.
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Drying: Then dry the potatoes thoroughly with a kitchen towel. This helps a better crust form during cooking.
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Add oil: Toss the potato strips in a bowl with 1 tbsp of rapeseed or sunflower oil.
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Cooking: Place the fries in the air fryer basket and cook at about 180 °C for 25–30 minutes. Shake the basket once or twice in between so that the fries cook as evenly as possible.
Pro tip: Briefly blanch the potato strips in warm water before cooking. Then dry them well. This can help achieve an especially crispy surface.
Healthy and delicious: Why the air fryer is convincing
The air fryer is not only suitable for fries but is also versatile. Whether vegetable chips, chicken fillets, or sweet creations – you can prepare many different dishes with an air fryer.
Cooking with hot air requires significantly less oil than traditional deep-frying. However, how nutritious the finished dish is depends on the ingredients used and the specific preparation method.
Origin of French fries: Belgium or France?
The origin of French fries is still debated to this day. While the French claim that the crispy potato sticks originated on the Pont Neuf in Paris, the Belgians view fries as their national dish.
Ultimately, it is not just the origin that counts, but also the method of preparation. And that is precisely where the air fryer for fries offers an interesting alternative to the traditional deep fryer.
Recipe: Homemade French fries for 2–3 people
Preparation:
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Peel the potatoes and cut them into strips about 10 mm thick.
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Remove starch: Rinse the potato strips thoroughly and then dry them well.
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Add oil: Mix the potatoes with the oil and place them in the air fryer.
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Cooking: Cook at about 180 °C for approx. 30 minutes, shaking the basket several times during the process. The exact cooking time may vary depending on the quantity, potato variety, and appliance.
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Seasoning: After cooking, season with salt to taste and serve as directly as possible so the fries stay crispy.
Conclusion: Crispy fries from the air fryer
Whether freshly prepared or frozen – with the air fryer, French fries can be prepared easily and with significantly less oil than with traditional frying. With the right preparation, homemade fries turn out beautifully crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
This makes the air fryer a practical addition for anyone who wants to prepare fries and other dishes simply.
