Recipe This | Air Fryer Vegetable Fries (2024)

FAQs

Why do you soak potatoes in water before air frying? ›

While it may seem like a pain, soaking the potatoes in hot water for 10 minutes prior to cooking them in the air fryer is essential. The water removes excess starch, allowing the fries to be their crispiest. Instead of soaking them in large bowl of cold water, I like to use hot water to cook the potatoes slightly.

Cook the fries at a low heat to start and then turn the air fryer temperature up to give them that crispy texture. Dry your potatoes completely before adding oil. This allows the oil to stick to the potato whereas if it's still wet, it will repel it and they could turn soggy.

Drizzle the potatoes with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and toss to coat. Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer so that the potatoes are not touching each other. You will have to work in batches. Air fry for 12 to 15 minutes*, flipping halfway, or until crispy.

Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C for 20-25 minutes or until golden and crispy, turning once. Tip: the vegetable fries become extra crispy by using aluminum foil on the baking tray. Fryer Deep fry the frozen vegetable fries for 3-4 minutes in preheated oil at 175°C. Do not fry too many at once to avoid heat loss.

While we wish it were possible to fry without any oil, air fryers do need a little oil to make your food crispy (but you'll use a lot less than a traditional fryer). Toss your food with a small amount of oil (around a tablespoon or less) to coat it evenly, then add it to the air fryer basket.

Soaking potatoes in water helps remove excess starch. Excess starch can inhibit the potatoes from cooking evenly as well as creating a gummy or sticky texture on the outside of your potatoes. Cold water is used because hot water would react with the starch activating it, making it harder to separate from the potatoes.

Bottom Line

Just remember that if it's safe and effective to use in a conventional oven, it will work just fine in an air fryer. The one thing to remember is not to cover the heating mechanism or fan with foil or any other material, as this can not only prevent the food from cooking but also damage your air fryer.

Simply set your air fryer to 350 degrees, then place your leftover fries in a single layer in the fryer basket. Heat them for three to five minutes or until they reach your desired crispiness.

Yes, butter can replace oil in an air fryer. Use melted butter, brushing it lightly on the food you're cooking. Butter enhances flavor, making dishes richer and juicier, and helps with heat transfer as the air fryer's fan circulates air. However, butter's lower smoke point means it burns quickly and may produce smoke.

How to get salt to stick to air fryer fries? ›

The key to getting salt to stick to fries is by seasoning them before you cook them. First toss the potatoes with oil to coat. Then add the salt and toss well again.

This might seem like an unusual addition if you're new to making collard greens, but the vinegar adds a welcome tangy note that brightens the dish and balances out the salty, savory flavors. A tablespoon of sugar also helps balance out the greens' potential bitterness.

Stir-fry. Stir-frying is a good option because while the heat is high, it's quick. That sears the vegetables quickly, locking in important nutrients and maintaining their color and texture. Be sure to use small amounts of oil and choose healthier varieties (like olive or vegetable oil).

"Vegetable fries are fattier and more caloric than conventional potato fries,” confirmed nutritionist and dietician Véronique Maindiaux in an interview with RTBF. "This is probably due to the fact that they absorb more oil during the frying process. They are also much saltier than classic fries.

Summary: Good news for chips lovers everywhere -- new research in the journal Science of Food and Agriculture shows that pre-soaking potatoes in water before frying can reduce levels of acrylamide.

Place them in a large bowl and cover with cold water. Allow them to soak, 2 to 3 hours. (You can also stick them in the fridge and let them soak overnight.) When you're ready to make the fries, drain off the water and lay the potatoes on 2 baking sheets lined with paper towels.

If you're pressed for time, the slightly sticky, cut potatoes should be soaked for a minimum of 15 minutes. However, a longer soak time may allow more starch to be removed. So, if you can prep the fries ahead of time, a few hours of soaking can help make them even crispier.

These tips are completely doable, actually pretty much fail-proof. SOAK your potato chunks in cold water. This removes some of the starch and helps get them super duper crispy.