Air Fryer Parmesan French Fries

Homemade French Fries in the Air Fryer

Air fryer parmesan fries provide a chance to enjoy nice crispy French fries, but without all the hot oil popping everywhere. An air fryer serves a very convenient way to enjoy a low fat version of French fries. This is a great recipe for for the whole family!

Easy Air Fryer Parmesan Fries

Making French fries in an air fryer is easy, but do it in small enough batches to make sure the fries can crisp up. Those who have tried and failed to achieve crispy fries usually try cooking too many fries at once. That always results in the dreaded soggy fry.

Remember, the air fryer works with plenty of super hot air convection so the fries need breathing room. Potatoes are mostly water and that water will easily evaporate and allow a nice crunchy fry to cook – as long as there is room.

If you start seeing a lot of water droplets forming and the air fryer is steaming up, then cut back the amount of fries cooking at one time.

It is also important to pat the fries dry as much as possible after soaking them in the ice water bath.

Why Soak The French Fries In Ice Water?

Soaking the freshly cut fries in ice water helps to remove a bit of the starch from the outside of the fry. This will help the fry crisp up more evenly when you get them into the air fryer. Again, just make sure to dry them off before adding them to the air fryer.

Garlic And Parmesan Seasoning For Air Fryer French Fries

I recommend using fresh grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese if possible. There is so much more of that tangy parmesan flavor with fresh grated real Parmigiano-Reggiano. But, if that is not convenient, then by all means go with the jar of grated parmesan.

With the garlic, make sure you use garlic powder, and not garlic salt. Of course, you can also mince up some fresh garlic cloves. Stir that in as well if you really love some garlic zing.

Yes, there is a difference between cheese labeled as “Parmigiana-Reggiano” and regular “Parmesan”. The first is the actual cheese made in Italy and controlled by specific standards of quality. The other is an imitation of those style Italian cheeses.

Sweet Chili Ketchup for French Fries

The spicy and savory parmesan and garlic seasoning needs just the right amount of heat in a sweet ketchup to compliment everything perfectly. The spice in sweet chili sauce isn’t really all that spicy, even with chili in the name. So, if you need or want a bit more heat, then you can add a bit of sriracha or Tabasco too. Heat is all a matter or personal preference.

The basil leaves chopped and mixed in add a nice freshness as well. Something about basil and garlic just gets me every time. Those two ingredients are like the heart and soul of Italian cuisine respectively. Air fryer parmesan fries taste amazing on their own, but with the spicy ketchup? Pretty much out of this world.

The Best Potatoes For French Fries

Russets, also known as “Idaho” potatoes, hands down make the best choice for French fries. The high starch and lower moisture content of the russets make the difference. Because of those features of the russet, a crispy exterior and softly textured inside are possible.

Yes, you could use other potatoes, or you can make Air Fryer sweet potato fries if you like. But, if you want a classic French fry, then the venerable and humble russet works best.

• Air Fryer sweet potato fries

More Ways To Enjoy Potatoes

“Po-Tay-Toes, boil em, mash em, stick em in a stew” Sam the Hobbit declared. What can’t you do with a potato? Such a versatile veggie, and tons of ways to enjoy them! You can use them for side courses or main courses too…

• Sheet Pan Chicken With Potatoes
• Roasted Potatoes & Green Beans
• Scalloped Potatoes With Ham
• German Potato Salad

Notes

I highly recommend using russet potatoes in this recipe. I peel the sides of the potato, but not the tops to give them a “rustic” look.

Serving: 1 g | Calories: 439 kcal | Carbohydrates: 53 g | Protein: 15 g | Fat: 19 g | Saturated Fat: 5 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 11 g | Cholesterol: 31 mg | Sodium: 1257 mg | Fiber: 4 g | Sugar: 14 g