I was sure frozen fries would beat my homemade ones in the air fryer

For months I used the bagged frozen kind, thinking they'd be crispier and easier. Last week I had some old potatoes going soft, so I cut them into wedges, tossed them with just a bit of oil and salt, and gave them 18 minutes at 400 degrees. The outside got this perfect crunchy skin, and the inside was so much fluffier than the frozen kind ever is. My kid even said they tasted 'like real potatoes' which was funny but true. I wasted a lot of time and money on those frozen bags. Now I just keep a few russet potatoes on hand. Anyone have a good seasoning mix they like on their homemade fries?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_elliot3d agoMost Upvoted

Yeah, the texture is just night and day, isn't it? I do the same thing with russets. For seasoning, I keep it simple most of the time. A little garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika with the salt. If I'm feeling fancy, a tiny sprinkle of grated parmesan right when they come out of the air fryer sticks to them real nice. The frozen ones always taste a bit... off, to me now.

christopherwilson2d agoProlific Poster

Totally agree with you @the_elliot, once you go homemade you can't go back. I cut mine super thin, soak them in cold water for an hour, and dry them like crazy before they hit the oil. That soak makes them so crispy. Frozen fries just taste like cardboard and salt now, they have that weird fake potato flavor. Your parmesan trick is a game changer, I do that with a little chopped rosemary sometimes.