Easy Air Fryer Masala Fries! These crispy fries are seasoned with aromatic Indian spices and are a healthier alternative to traditional ones. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce as a snack or a side dish with your favorite burger!
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If you love french fries, you will love these Air fryer masala fries even more. They are healthier and more flavorful than the traditional french fries and so easy to make at home using an air fryer.
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About Masala Fries Recipe
These air fryer masala fries are a delicious, healthy, and flavorful twist on traditional French fries, seasoned with aromatic Indian spices like red chili powder, turmeric, garam masala, and chaat masala.
The spice mix adds depth, warmth, and a bit of heat, creating a spicy and tangy flavor profile that makes these fries even more irresistible.
I prefer cooking french fries in an air fryer as it significantly reduces the amount of oil needed compared to deep frying, making them a healthier option without compromising taste and texture.
Also, it's quick and easy to make these Indian masala fries in the air fryer. The process involves cutting, soaking, seasoning, and air frying the potatoes.
These Masala french fries turn out crispy on the outside and tender on the inside and are perfect as a snack, appetizer, or side dish,
Recipe Ingredients
Potatoes: I prefer using russet potatoes to make french fries. These are the best potatoes for fries due to their high starch content and low moisture, which results in a crispy exterior and fluffy interior when baked.
Alternately you can also use Yukon Gold Potatoes. They have a medium starch content, making them a good alternative to Russets.
Spices: to flavor these masala french fries, I have used some basic Indian spices like turmeric, Kashmiri red chili powder, Garam Masala, and chaat masala along with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. You can also add cumin powder and coriander powder.
Oil: Since we are air-frying them, you need a couple of tablespoons of oil to coat the fries. I have used avocado oil, you can also use olive oil.
Please refer to the recipe card for exact measurements of ingredients.
How To Make Masala French Fries (Stepwise Photos)
1 - Rinse the potatoes with water and pat dry. You can peel the skin if you want, I prefer to keep it.
2 - Using a sharp knife, cut the potatoes into 4-5 thick slices.
3 and 4 - Then cut each slice into uniform strips, about ¼ inch thick.
5 - Take a large bowl and fill it with ice-cold water. Transfer the potato fingers to the bowl.
Soak the cut potatoes in cold water for 10 - 30 minutes to remove excess starch. This helps achieve a crispier texture.
While the potatoes soak, preheat your air fryer to 380°F degrees for 5 minutes.
6 - After 10-30 minutes, drain the water completely and transfer the potatoes to a clean kitchen towel. Pat the potatoes dry with the kitchen towel or paper towel.
7 - Transfer them back to a clean large bowl.
8 and 9 - In a large bowl, toss the potatoes with oil to coat them evenly. Add the red chili powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt followed by cornstarch.
10 - Using your hands preferably, mix until everything is combined and the potatoes are evenly coated with the spice mix.
11 - Spray the air fryer basket with a light layer of oil. Place the seasoned potato fingers in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding; cook in batches if necessary.
12 - Cook the fries for 20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. Continue cooking until the fries are golden brown and crispy. The exact cooking time may vary based on your air fryer model and the thickness of the fries.
Once the masala chips are cooked, transfer them to a serving plate. Garnish them with chopped cilantro, and sprinkle chaat masala for extra flavor. Drizzle with lemon juice just before serving for a tangy twist. Serve immediately.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these crispy air fryer masala fries as a snack, appetizer, or side dish! Make sure to serve them immediately after air fryer for the best taste and texture.
You can serve spicy masala fries hot with a dip of choice. Here are a few of our favorite dips - Hot and sweet tomato ketchup, cilantro-mint chutney, tamarind sauce, or a creamy avocado dip.
They make a delicious side with burgers, sandwiches, wraps, and salads.
Storage Instructions
Allow the masala fries to cool completely to room temperature and then you can refrigerate or freeze them.
To refrigerate: Store the cooled fries in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Storing hot or warm fries can lead to condensation, making them soggy.
To freeze: spread the cooled fries in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for 1-2 hours until firm and then transfer the frozen fries to an airtight container or a resealable freezer bag. Store in freezer for 1-2 months.
To reheat, preheat the air fryer to 375°F. Place the fries in the air fryer basket and cook for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
Recipe Tips
Follow these tips to create perfectly crispy, flavorful air fryer masala fries.
Cut the potatoes into uniform strips, about ¼ inch thick. This ensures even cooking and consistent texture.
Soak the cut potatoes for at least 10 minutes to remove excess starch. This helps achieve a crisper texture.
Dry thoroughly: After soaking, dry the potatoes thoroughly with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel. Moisture on the surface can prevent the fries from becoming crispy.
Customize to your taste: Feel free to adjust the spice levels to your preference. Add more or less chili powder depending on your heat tolerance, or experiment with other spices and herbs. You can even add cheese at the end of cooking and air fry for an additional 1-2 minutes until the cheese has melted to make cheesy masala fries!
Preheat the Air Fryer: for about 5 minutes before adding the potatoes. A preheated air fryer helps in achieving a crispier exterior.
Avoid overcrowding as it can lead to uneven cooking and soggy fries. Place the seasoned potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. If needed, cook in batches for the best results.
Air fry in batches: Then put all the cooked fries together in the air fryer (not required to be in a single line)and air fry for another 2 mins to crisp them up before serving.
Shake the Basket halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking and crisping on all sides.
Monitor cooking time: Cook the fries at 380°F for 20 minutes. Check at the 15-minute mark, cooking times can vary based on the thickness of the fries and the specific air fryer model. Keep an eye on them to prevent overcooking.
Serve Immediately: For the best texture and flavor, serve the masala fries immediately after cooking while they are hot and crispy.
Frequently Asked Questions
I prefer Russet Potatoes due to their high starch and low moisture content, making them ideal for a crispy exterior and fluffy interior.
Peeling is optional and based on personal preference. Leaving the skin on can add extra texture and nutrients.
You can still make these fries in the oven if you don't have an air fryer. Bake them at 425°F for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. They might not be as crispy as air-fried but still tasty.
Reheat in a preheated air fryer at 375°F for 5-7 minutes or in a 400°F oven for 10-15 minutes. Do not microwave them as it will make them soggy.
Store the fries in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the air-fryer before serving.
More Air Fryer Indian Snack Recipes
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Recipe Card
Air Fryer Masala Fries
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 medium russet potatoes about 1 pound
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 2 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon garam Masala
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon chaat masala
- 2 tablespons cilantro finely chopped
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Instructions
- Wash and dry the potatoes. You can peel the skin or leave it on.
- Using a sharp knife, cut the potatoes into 4-5 thick slices and then each slice into uniform strips, about ¼ inch thick.
- Take a large bowl and fill it with ice-cold water. Transfer the cut potatoes to the bowl and soak for 10 - 30 minutes.
- While the potatoes soak, Preheat your air fryer to 380°F degrees for 5 minutes.
- Once the potatoes have finished soaking, drain the water completely and transfer the potatoes to a clean kitchen towel. Pat the potatoes dry with the kitchen towel or paper towel.
- Add the potatoes to a large bowl, drizzle with oil, and sprinkle red chili powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt followed by cornstarch. Toss to coat evenly.
- Spray the air fryer basket with a light layer of oil. Arrange the seasoned potato fries in the preheated air fryer basket in a single even layer. Avoid overcrowding; cook in batches if necessary.
- Cook the fries for 20 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Shake the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Repeat with the remaining fries until they have all been cooked. Then add all fries together in the air fryer and air fry for another 2 mins to crisp them up.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro, sprinkle chaat masala and dizzle lemon juice and serve immediately.
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