When it comes to comfort food, fries hold a special place in our hearts. They are crispy, flavorful, and versatile, making them the perfect snack or side dish. But have you ever tried air fryer dirty fries? This scrumptious dish takes traditional fries to a whole new level with a mix of spices and a unique ‘dirty’ sauce that will tantalize your taste buds.
To create the perfect air fryer dirty fries, we start with a delicious spice blend. Picture this: smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and a sprinkle of oregano and thyme come together to kick your fries up a notch. Just imagine how these fragrant spices meld with the crispy golden fries. Not only does this spice blend elevate the flavor, but it also adds a beautiful color that’s hard to resist!
Now, what makes these fries ‘dirty’? The secret lies in the sauce! A mix of sautéed onions with a touch of BBQ sauce and cheese creates the ultimate topping, drenching your crispy fries in a rich, savory goodness. It’s simple yet delightful, turning casual snacking into a flavorful feast that you and your family will love. Picture a piping hot platter of air fryer dirty fries, oozing with every scoop of sauce!
Air Fryer Dirty Fries Recipe
This mouth-watering dish combines crispy fries with a flavorful spice blend and a rich ‘dirty’ sauce made from sautéed onions, BBQ sauce, and cheese. Perfect for snack time or family gatherings, these air fryer dirty fries are an exciting twist on a classic favorite. Easy to make and irresistibly delicious, they will tantalize your taste buds and elevate your culinary experience.
Ingredients:
Spice blend (or use a bought Cajun blend):
- 4 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 3 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon fine salt
- 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
Fries:
- 2-3 handfuls of frozen oven fries
- 1 teaspoon spice blend
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
“Dirty” sauce (or use about 3 tablespoons bbq sauce and cheese):
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 red onion, peel & sliced thinly, with some reserved for serving
- 2 tablespoons bacon jam or chilli jam or even bbq sauce
- 2 teaspoons ready-made English mustard
- 2 teaspoons spice blend (above)
- 1 tablespoon vinegar (cider, red or white wine vinegar)
- 80g smoked cheese of choice, grated
Spiced crème fraîche:
- 3 tablespoons crème fraîche (or natural yoghurt)
- 1/2 teaspoon spice blend
To finish:
- a couple of slices of pickled jalapeño, chopped
- the spiced crème fraîche
- a light sprinkling of the spice blend
Instructions:
- Make the spice blend by adding the ingredients to a small bowl and mixing well.
- Line the air-fryer tray with foil and add the frozen fries or potato wedges.
- Spoon over the oil and the spice blend and toss through the fries to lightly coat them.
- Cook the fries at 200°C for about 10 minutes until cooked (around 20 minutes for wedges). Meanwhile, prepare the “dirty sauce”:
- Heat the oil in a pan over a medium heat and add most of the red onions along with the spice blend, reserving a little of the onions to scatter over when serving. Cook for a few minutes to slightly soften the onions and then add the remaining dirty sauce ingredients apart from the cheese.
- Cook for a few minutes so the mixture breaks down a little and turn off the heat. Stir in the cheese.
- When the fries are cooked, add the “dirty” sauce and stir gently through the fries: you don’t need to worry about coating every piece of potato and don’t worry if a few break apart. Cook at 200°C for a further 5 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling.
- Make the spiced crème fraîche by mixing the crème fraîche with the spice blend. Drizzle over the potatoes along with a scattering of the jalapeños, the remaining slices of red onion and a light dusting of the slice blend.