These Masala Fries are spicy, tangy and so easy to make in the air fryer. Dip in your favorite sauce and enjoy as a snack or serve along with your favorite burger!

I am in love with my air fryer. I feel like I am too late to the game and have warmed up to it only in the last few months. For the last 3 to 4 months, I have been using my air fryer every night to cook veggies. It’s easy and so quick!

And one of my recent favorite things to make in the air fryer is French Fries! And not just your regular fries, these Masala Fries are cooked with spices like chaat masala and Kashmiri red chili powder to make them spicy and tangy.

Have you guys made fries in the air fryer? It’s seriously so easy and not to mention so quick. If you are cravings fries, then let me tell you, these can be done in 40 minutes or less. You can flavor them any way you want and they are little healthier than traditional fries since they are air fried.

Labor day weekend is here and this will make the perfect side for your burgers like this Chickpea Burger. They have crispy edges and soft center and are perfect to dunk in your favorite sauce.

Ingredients

Potato is obviously the main ingredient here and it’s important to choose the right one.

Russet potato: I prefer using russet potatoes to make French fries in air fryer. They are low in moisture making them the perfect option for fries so I highly recommend using them in this recipe.

Olive oil: You don’t need a ton of olive oil here, just a tablespoon & half of it. You can definitely make these without oil, but the oil adds to the flavor of the fries and I don’t recommend skipping it.

Spices: since these are masala fries, I have used chaat masala and Kashmiri red chili powder. You may also use turmeric, garam masala, regular chili powder to taste and preference. If you don’t want spices, you can simply season them with salt, pepper and garlic powder.

How to Make Air Fryer Masala Fries

1- Scrub the potatoes well. You can peel the skin if you want, I don’t peel the skin since I like the texture of the fries with the skin on. Using a mandoline slicer, cut each potato into 3/8 inch wide slices lengthwise.

2- If you don’t have a mandoline slicer, just use a knife.

3- Then cut each of these pieces into thin slices using a knife- 1/4 inch thickness wide and around 4 inches in length.

4- Take a large bowl filled with water and add all the cut slices into the water. Soak them for 20 minutes.

5- After 20 minutes, drain the water using a colander.

6- Transfer all the slices to a clean kitchen towel.

7- Dry the slices thoroughly, rubbing them with kitchen towel. Meanwhile pre-heat your air fryer at 380 F degrees for 2 minutes.

8- Then transfer to a bowl and add 1.5 tablespoons olive oil.

9- Add 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon chaat masala, 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper powder. You can adjust spices levels to taste.

10- Using your fingers, mix until everything is well combined and all the slices are well coated with the seasoning.

11- Transfer the slices in a single layer into your pre-heated air fryer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may have to air fry in batches. Do not layer the slices, place in a single layer only.

12- Air fry at 380 F degrees for 20 minutes, shake the air fryer basket once in between. Check at 15 minute mark and cook more as needed. It takes me 20 minutes, it may take you more or less. If they aren’t crispy at the edges even after 20 minutes, air fry for few more minutes. Transfer to serving plate, sprinkle cilantro and serve immediately.

Serving Suggestions

These masala fries make a delicious appetizer or snack. They have to be served immediately though, that’s when they taste best. I love munching on them with my evening chai. You can dip them in ketchup, spicy mayonnaise, mustard sauce or even chutney (why not?!).

They would also make a fantastic side for these burgers and sandwiches:

• Chickpea Burger
• Indian Style Vegetarian Burger
• Black Bean Burger
• Smoked Tandoori Paneer Sandwich
• Spinach Corn Sandwich

Tips & Notes

Use a mandoline slicer: if you have a slicer, use it to slice the potatoes into pieces of same thickness and then use a knife to cut each piece into 1/4 inch thickness of around 4 inches in length. I feel this width works perfect for fries. Thinner than this and they burn very quickly.

Soak the cut potatoes for 20 minutes: this step is important as it helps in removing excess starch and thus making crispier fries.

Pat dry them completely: once you have soaked them, drain all the water using a colander and then trasfer the cut potatoes to a clean kitchen towel. Dry the cut potatoes completely.

Leave the potato skin on for texture: this is optional and you may peel the potato skin if you want but I recommend keeping it on. The skin makes the edges extra crispy.

Air fry in single layer: depending on the size of your air fryer, you may have to do this in several batches. I have a 8qt and I air fried in 2 batches.

Season to taste: since I made masala fries I added chaat masala and Kashmiri red chili powder. You can season them with anything you like. You can even add cheese to these fries and melt the cheese in broiler and make cheesy masala fries!

Cook until edges are crispy: the total amount of time taken to air fry these masala fries will depend on the model of air fryer you use. It might take anywhere between 15 to 25 minutes. I cook for 20 minutes and that’s perfect for me. Look at the edges of the fries, if they are crispy or not. If they aren’t crispy, cook for few more minutes.

Keep one batch warm while other is in the air fryer: since air frying is done in batches (depending on the size of air fryer) , you can keep one batch which is done warm in the oven at 200 F degrees while the other batch cooks. This way you can serve them warm at the same time.

Frequently Asked Questions

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