Add some extra zing to regular fries with these Air Fryer Tandoori Fries.
It needs only a fraction of the oil compared to its fried counterpart and still super delicious and crisp.
I was sent a Vortex 6 quart Air Fryer by the manufacturer. All opinions are unbiased and mine alone.
Fries are favorite side in our house. From sandwiches and burgers to pasta and other entrees, fries are amazing to complete the meal. And when you make them flavored; they are even better.
It is a great idea to fry them. However if you need a non-fried version, the air fryer or oven woks really well. I like to air fry these and so many other classics like this Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries, Pot Pie and Cauliflower.
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What are Tandoori Fries
Air Fryer Tandoori Fries are a delicious take on regular fries. Made from potato and a bunch of spices, these fries are delicious, flavorful and slightly spicy.
Fries by itself are super amazing. As a side, as a snack or sometimes as an appetizer, it works so well. And when that combines with tandoori masala and chaat masala; it takes these to a whole new level.
To reduce the amount of oil required; I like to air fry these instead of deep frying. They need a fraction of the oil compared to fried, yet taste just as great.
Why this recipe works
- This recipe takes the popular French fries a notch higher in taste. With the tandoori masala and chaat masala the fries taste super amazing.
- It is a really easy recipe to make fries from scratch. A few pointers and you will never grab a bag from the frozen aisle again.
- Though made from scratch, this is an easy to follow recipe. Only needs a handful of ingredients that are easy to find in an Indian pantry.
- We use the air fryer to make the fries using a fraction of oil compared to deep frying. Not exactly healthy given it has potatoes; the recipe is healthier than regular fried fries for sure.
- This recipe is naturally Vegan and gluten-free. The only thing to be sure of is that the masalas are gluten-free too.
- The recipe can be modified to include peri peri masala, chaat masala or likewise instead of tandoori masala.
Why use an Air Fryer?
An air fryer is a simple kitchen appliance that helps 'fry' using a couple of tablespoons of oil or butter. It often helps cook without that too!
There are so many recipes that turn out really well in the air fryer. Vegetables, fries, patty and several desserts are GREAT in the air fryer.
Plus, this appliance offers lightning quick cook times and easy clean up. Moreover; almost ZERO waste of used oil!
With these advantages and more, there is no surprise that it has become SUPER popular in the kitchens!
If you are looking for more Air fryer recipes; try this Air Fryer Cauliflower, Handvo, Baked Potatoes and Paneer Tikka.
Using the Vortex 6 quart Air Fryer
I have used the Vortex Air Fryer in this recipe and so many more. It is truly an amazing device.
- It comes with 4 built in functions: air fry, roast, bake and reheat.
- Easy to use buttons to select the mode and a dial to adjust time and temperature; this air fryer is super easy to use.
- The large basket can fit SO much food at once. This is one of my favorite features here!
- Plus, it beeps once it preheats and indicates 'Add Food' and 'Turn Food'. No more guessing if it is hot enough or time to turn the food.
- Such a brilliant device from the Instant Brands!
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Russet Potatoes: We use russet potatoes for the recipe. It is perfect for fries as it does not disintegrate on cooking. They are generally long and yield perfect fries. They can be used with skin or without. Substitute with any available potatoes if russet is not an option to use.
- Olive Oil: We use some olive oil for the fries. As we use a fraction of the oil compared to frying, please do not skimp on this. Using lesser oil will not result in crisp fries as we desire. Substitute with any neutral oil of your choice.
- Tandoori Masala: I like to spice up the fries with Tandoori Masala. Some brands have a striking red colored masala while some have it in a lighter color. They tend to contain some food color. So make your choice of brand as you like.
- Chaat Masala: A great addition on the fries; Chaat Masala adds to the flavor of tandoori fries. I would strongly recommend using this for the recipe.
- Seasonings: The tandoori and chaat masala does have quite a lot of spices. So apart from that we only use some salt, pepper powder and garlic powder for the recipe.
- Adding other spices like peri peri masala, aamchur or even some fresh parsley or cilantro on top is an option too. There are also some cheese powders and tomato powders that work for the recipe.
See the recipe card for detailed ingredient information, measurements and nutrition.
How to make this recipe
1- Peel and chop the potatoes into ¼ inch sticks. In a bowl add 4-5 cups water and 1 ½ teaspoon salt. Mix and add the potatoes. Soak for 30 minutes.
2- After 30 minutes, drain the potatoes and spread them out on a clean muslin cloth or napkin. Let the fries dry for 10-12 minutes or pat them dry and use immediately.
3- Mix together all the spices in a small bowl. Leave out the oil.
4- Transfer the fries to a baking tray.
5- Add the oil and the spices.
6- Mix well to evenly coat the fries.
7- Preheat the air fryer to 380 F and set time to 15 minutes. Once the display reads 'Add Food' spread ½ the fries in a single layer.
8- Let the fries cook till the display reads 'Turn Food' or till half the time is completed. Shake them and let them cook till the fryer beeps. Repeat the steps for the remaining fries but reduce time to 12 minutes. If the fries are not crisp, air fry for additional 2-3 minutes.
9- Open the Air Fryer and transfer the fries to a plate.
10- Sprinkle some chaat masala, green onions and cilantro. Serve these Air Fryer Tandoori Fries hot with ketchup and green cilantro chutney.
Expert Tips and Notes
- Use Russet Potatoes: Get the perfect taste by using Russet potatoes. They help get the classic french fry flavor. Leaving the skins on or off is okay.
- Cut the fries evenly: The key for the fries to cook evenly is to cut them evenly. The thin ones will burn while the fat ones cook! Use a sharp knife or mandoline to get them even.
- Soak and dry the fries before cooking: Soaking the fries helps remove starch and drying them thoroughly helps remove the moisture from the fries. This helps them crisp faster and MUCH better!
- Work in batches: Do not dump the fries all together in the fryer. Arrange them in a single layer to cook them evenly.
- Taste test for doneness: The time mentioned works for the Instant Brands Air Fryer for the thickness I had. It can vary based on different brand air fryers. Taste test a couple instead of shutting off the air fryer based on time.
Recipe FAQs
Tandoori Fries are regular fries mixed with tandoori masala and topped with chaat masala. These fries are flavorful, delicious and great for any meal or party.
The recipe works well for the sir fryer. However, if you do not have one, bake in an oven at 380 F for 20 minutes or deep fry.
The recipe is naturally Vegan. As long as the masalas used are gluten-free; the recipe remains gluten-free too.
While we use potatoes for the recipe and they are not exactly classified as healthy; the recipe is healthier than deep fried fries given we use far less oil to make them.
More Air Fryer Recipes
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Air Fryer Tandoori Fries
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 medium Russet Potatoes
- 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 2 tablespoon Tandoori Masala
- 1 teaspoon Chaat Masala
- ½ teaspoon Garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper Powder
Instructions
- Peel and chop the potatoes into ¼ inch sticks.
- In a bowl add 4-5 cups water and 1 ½ teaspoon salt. Mix and add the potatoes. Soak for 30 minutes.
- Mix together all the spices. Leave out the oil.
- After 30 minutes, drain the potatoes and spread them out on a clean muslin cloth or napkin.
- Let the fries dry for 10-12 minutes or pat them dry and use immediately.
- Transfer the fries to a tray and add the oil. Mix well and add the spices. Mix well to evenly coat the fries.
- Preheat the air fryer to 380 F. Set time to 15 minutes. Once the display reads 'Add Food' spread ½ the fries in a single layer.
- Let the fries cook till the display reads 'Turn Food'. Shake them and let them cook till the fryer beeps.
- Repeat the steps for the remaining fries but reduce time to 12 minutes. If the fries are not crisp, air fry for additional 2-3 minutes.
- Open the Air Fryer and transfer the fries to a plate. Sprinkle some chaat masala, green onions and cilantro.
- Serve hot with ketchup and green cilantro chutney.
Notes
- Use Russet Potatoes: Get the perfect taste by using Russet potatoes. They help get the classic french fry flavor. Leaving the skins on or off is okay.
- Cut the fries evenly: The key for the fries to cook evenly is to cut them evenly. The thin ones will burn while the fat ones cook! Use a sharp knife or mandoline to get them even.
- Soak and dry the fries before cooking: Soaking the fries helps remove starch and drying them thoroughly helps remove the moisture from the fries. This helps them crisp faster and MUCH better!
- Work in batches: Do not dump the fries all together in the fryer. Arrange them in a single layer to cook them evenly.
- Taste test for doneness: The time mentioned works for the Instant Brands Air Fryer for the thickness I had. It can vary based on different brand air fryers. Taste test a couple instead of shutting off the air fryer based on time.
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