The air fryer has become one of the most popular kitchen appliances in recent years. One thing that everyone can agree on is that fries are better than other foods. Anything tastes good when it is deep-fried in hot oil and comes out with crispy skin.
Fried food, however, is dangerously harmful to our health, regardless of how tasty it is. It is probably the worst food for your health you will ever consume. So, if people learn about a machine that can healthily fry foods, they will go crazy for it.
Is Using An Air Fryer A Good Idea?
An air fryer is a healthy addition to any modern kitchen. The key reason is that people are becoming increasingly health-conscious. Among the several items that can be cooked in an air fryer, one is the most popular and is prepared by practically everyone. If you enjoy french fries with every meal and at any time of day, then probably you need a healthier alternative to the deep fryer. Both manufacturers and users claim that air fryers can deliver the same flavor as deep fryers.
Surprisingly, the majority of new air fryer users start by frying French fries in their new air fryer. Air Fryer Frozen French Fries are, therefore, becoming quite popular among users. It’s easy to make and takes only a few minutes to prepare. All you have to do is toss these french fries into the air fryer directly from the packets and enjoy the crispy delights with your family, friends, or guests on various occasions. Most importantly, it’s healthier than deep-fried french fries.
Now let's talk about how to make french fries in an air fryer, as well as the health benefits and drawbacks, so you get the full picture.
How To Cook French Fries In An Air Fryer
To begin, chop your potatoes into sticks and immerse them in a bowl of cool water. Soaking the pieces of potatoes is important because soaking them in cold water helps them release extra scratches, making the fries crispier. The potatoes should then be placed on a paper towel to absorb any excess water and dry.
Season them with vegetable oil and your favorite seasonings before putting them in the air fryer, and then place them in a single layer in the fryer. Continue to cook them until the outsides are golden brown and crispy. Then simply serve the fries with a variety of dipping sauces.
How To Prepare Fries Tor Cooking In The Fryer
The fries will only come out beautifully if they are thinly sliced; otherwise, they will not fry perfectly. Using a French fry cutter is the most convenient way to cut French fries perfectly. These kitchen gadgets come in various costs and sizes, but you do not have to spend a lot of money to get a good one for your kitchen.
If you do not want to use a French Fry cutter, you can cut the potatoes horizontally into even widths and then slice the pieces down into similar sizes to make potato matchsticks. You can make thin or thick slices out of your potatoes. Just keep in mind that larger pieces will take longer to cook to perfection.
What Kind of Potato Would Be Perfect For Air Fried French Fries?
In an air fryer, everything is fried under direct heat. As a result, Idaho potatoes will work well in an air fryer to make French fries. Idaho potatoes have a high scratch content, which makes the crispy shell thicker and the flesh more fluffy. These characteristics of the Idaho potato help in the creation of the greatest air-fried fries. Toss the cooked potatoes in garlic powder and fiery paprika to make them even more delectable. This will enhance the flavor of the fries and make them ideal for dipping in any sauce you have on hand.
How To Make Crispy French Fries In Air Fryer
Who would not want their french fries to be crispy? Everything tastes better when a snack is crispy, from fish to nuggets to French fries. With the air fryer, it is much easier to get things crispy with a few simple tricks, which are-
Use Of Oil
Because oil is more effective at transferring heat than air, using oil to make crispy French fries is a must. Using a kitchen spray sprayer instead of your hands to combine the oil with the potatoes will result in a better result. It will help in the proportional mixing of the oil.
In addition, there are several types of kitchen sprays on the market. However, you should avoid purchasing them because they are known to have aerosol agents. To combine the oil with the potatoes, it is best to use cooking spray.
Experiment With The Features
You will need some time to fully understand the basics of an air fryer. Some air fryers are simple to use and designed to create specific foods. Furthermore, not all sizes of potatoes fit in every air fryer. Cut the potatoes to a size that will cook perfectly in your air fryer; otherwise, they will not be perfectly fried. The temperature and cooking time of an air fryer differ from one model to another.
Coat With Bread Crumbs
Bread crumbs are one of the ingredients that give anything a lovely crispy texture. Yes, bread crumbs not only complement nuggets, fish fillets, and wings, but they also enhance the flavor of French fries if mixed in. The process is also the same as well.
After cutting the potatoes into slices, dip them in a cup of whisked eggs before dipping them again in the breadcrumb mixture. The fries will be much more delicious if you sprinkle some paprika powder on top.
Time Duration
It will take around 45 minutes to prepare ideal crispy French fries from start to finish. You must soak the potatoes for more than 15 minutes before cooking them in the air fryer. Then, if you can cook them for at least 25 minutes, that will be ideal.
Cooking Method
Place the potato slices in the air fryer after mixing them with everything and waiting for them to get crispy. Preheating some of the air fryers is required. However, not all models work in the same way. When the French fries are golden brown on the outside and fork-tender on the inside, they are ready to be served.
There are different opinions about this statement. The answer will entirely depend on your expectation. It means your satisfaction with an air fryer will depend on the level of crispness you are expecting from the French fries fried in your air fryer. Air fryers are a healthy solution for those who want to eat fried dishes while reducing their calorie intake.
Difference Between Air and Deep Fried French Fries
When comparing the appearance of air-fried and deep-fried French fries, it is important to note that the appearance of air-fried French fries will differ from that of deep-fried French fries. The explanation for this is simple: the air fryer does not fry the potatoes in an oil bath. The texture of the air-fried french fries will be the same.
The air fryer, on the other hand, is a wonderful option for individuals who wish to taste tasty fried dishes while also staying in shape.
Risk Factors
Most individuals choose air fryers because they believe they are healthier than regular frying methods. However, there are several risks associated with using an air fryer. The plastic section of the air fryer is made using a component called bisphenol-A (BPA). Furthermore, the same element can be found in some sections of the fryer's outer space.
The health risks posed by BPA are a controversial subject. Some doctors believe that this substance can cause reproductive problems, hypertension, angina, and many others. So, if somebody truly wants to utilize air fryers for health reasons, they should get one that is BPA-free.
Furthermore, anything fried for an extended amount of time in an air fryer will produce acrylamide on the surface of the food. Acrylamide is a toxic compound that, if taken in large amounts for a long, can cause cancer. However, both deep and air-fried foods are in danger of this.
Final Thought
In the end, despite some drawbacks, air-fried foods are superior to deep-fried foods in many aspects. Any fried dish, however, is high in calories. As a result, it is preferable to choose a high-quality air fryer.
When purchasing a kitchen appliance, you should not consider only the cost. The majority of kitchen appliances are long-lasting and utilized to prepare meals for the entire family. Thus, it will be wise to invest sensibly at once.
