Moules Frites, or steamed mussels and chips, is a sweet pairing of two of my favourite foods. Whilst it may sound seriously fancy, it’s really cheap and easy to prepare at home. Oh, and it tastes insanely good.
There has been a bit of a chip fest in my kitchen of late thanks to being sent a Philips Airfryer to take part in the #AirfryerTakeIn challenge whereby we swap out our favourite takeaway for a healthier home-made fakeaway .
The Airfryer claims to make superb chips (among many other things!) in just a tiny amount of oil. And as the chippy is our go-to on days when we really can’t be bothered to cook, this was the perfect recipe to try it out on.
I’ve never owned a deep fat fryer, neither wanting the temptation or never-ending cleaning that comes with owning one.
So when we do make chips at home we make than in the oven.
We slice potatoes, rinse in cold water & dry on a clean tea towel.
Then get a few tablespoons of oil really hot in the oven before tossing the potato slices in.
They then get sprinkled with some sea salt, and baked till golden and crisp.
So, neither of us were expecting to enjoy chips cooked in just 1 teaspoon of oil and hot air.
In fact, Jonny was convinced that Philips claims of ‘crispy chips that are fluffy inside’ was a marketing ploy.
Can you see where this is going?!
Our chips were crispy on the outside.
And they were definitely fluffy on the inside.
In fact, I would go as far as to say they were just as good as homemade oven chips.
They felt cleaner and lighter, but the taste was really very good.
I have to say the Airfryer looks pretty cool too.
And certainly easier on the eye than any deep fat fryer I’ve ever seen!
Moules Frites – Airfryer Chips
If you’re making your chips in the oven, preheat to 200/400/gas 6.
Heat 3-4 tablespoons of your favourite cooking fat in a large baking tray.
Rinse the raw potatoes slices in cold water (to rinse the starch off) and dry on a clean tea towel.
Carefully add to the hot oil and toss to coat well.
Sprinkle with sea salt. Reduce the oven temp to 180/350/gas 4 and bake for 20-40 minutes turning once or twice during cooking.
Next time I fancy giving this a go with either sweet potato or African yam instead of white potatoes – I reckon that would shake up the flavours a treat!
Steamed Mussels
As for the mussels, this is the simplest way I’ve ever cooked them.
The bacon, spring onion, garlic and wine are brought to a quick boil.
Then mussels are dropped in. The lid goes on, the pan gets shaken and two minutes later, you’re ready to eat!
There’s enough salt in the mussel juice that they don’t need any more seasoning, although do feel free to check just before serving.
Dish up alongside a small bowl of mayonnaise to dunk chips in and enjoy this divine pairing of classic moules frites.
- 500 g large potatoes
- 1 tsp your favourite cooking oil - I used ghee
- Sea salt
- 2 rashers bacon - finely diced
- 2 spring onions - chopped
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 glass white wine
- 1 kg fresh mussels - scrubbed, de-bearded and any dead ones discarded
- Peel the potatoes & slice into skinny chips. Soak them in cold water for 30 minutes then drain and dry on a clean tea towel.
- Preheat the Airfryer to 160c. Toss the chips in the oil (melt first if using ghee) to lightly coat each one and pop in the Airfyer basket. Slide the basket into the Airfryer and set the timer for 18 minutes.
- When the timer pings, take out the basket and shake the chips. Turn the temperature up to 180c and cook for another 6 minutes. When the timer pings, shake them again then return the basket for a final 6 minutes (so a total cooking time of 30 minutes for skinny chips).
- During the final 6 minutes of cooking time pour the wine, garlic, spring onion and bacon bits in to saucepan. Put over a medium high heat and as soon as it boils, throw in the mussels and pop on the lid. Cook for two minutes, shaking occasionally (hold on tight to that lid!)
- Serve with the mussels and delicious juice in a small bowl and a pile of tasty chips.
Huge thanks to Philips for sponsoring this recipe post and allowing me to continue bringing you tasty new recipes, for free. As always all thoughts (and leftovers!) are my own.
Janie x
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
Ahh, this reminds me of growing up. My family are from Belgium, so this was always on the menu. Looks delicious!
Jane Sarchet says
I didn’t know you had Belgium roots Dannii, and I would have loved to scoff this as a child!!!
Janie x
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
While I’ve heard and feasted on fish and chips, this is my first time hearing about Moules Frites. Also so glad to read a review about those airfryers as I’ve been seeing so many infomercials for them and my mom keeps threatening to order on off QVC!
Jane Sarchet says
Oh you must try Mussels & chips Shasi, it’s just divine :) And do let me know how you get on if you order an Airfryer, I honestly didn’t think it’d get much use in our kitchen but we seem to use it most days!!
Janie x
Katie Roley-Crenshaw says
This is the first time I have heard about Moules and Frites! I am fascinated. I love both! The recipe looks great. I have been interested in an Airfryer…. I just wasn’t sure if they would work good. Your chips look great. So I guess I will have to get one to try it out!
Jane Sarchet says
Do let me know what you think Katie, and do share any fab recipes you come up with!
Janie x
Everyday Sarah Jane says
One of my favorite foods on the planet is french fries…perfectly cooked, absolutely delicious french fries. One of my favorite foods to order out is mussels. So, basically this is the most perfect looking dish…ever!!
Jane Sarchet says
A match made in heaven Sarah Jane!
Janie x
Kate Veggie Desserts (@veggie_desserts) says
These look amazing! My husband and I have been talking about getting an air fryer – this one sounds perfect.
Jane Sarchet says
Thanks Kate :)
Janie x
Dahn @savor the Best says
Oh how yummmy! I don’t like to deep fat fry either and I am intrigued by the air fryer, I think I might have to try one out
Jane Sarchet says
Thanks for popping by Savour the best. I’d love to know how you get on with the Airfryer!
Janie x
glamorous glutton says
Oh I used to love modules frites, but due to a severe allergy they’re off the menu. This is a really good recipe and I bet so delicious. The air fryer sounds really interesting, I might have to investigate one of those. GG
Jane Sarchet says
I remember you saying that you had a severe allergy to shellfish GG, I’d be so sad to lose them from my diet so can only imagine how gutted you must be too :(
Janie x
Ceri @Natural Kitchen Adventures says
Ah memories of devouring Moule Frites in Brugge with my then boss on a work trip. Lush, but I had no idea you weren’t meant to eat the closed ones. I was fine, but looked like a right idiot trying to open them. Ha ha. This looks perfect, especially with those chips!
Jane Sarchet says
Hehe, so glad you survived Ceri! When cleaning them before cooking you should tap them and those that don’t close, you assume are dead and bin. And likewise with those that don’t open when cooked. Mussel can give you horrible food poisoning & this is one way to limit the effects of eating a bad one (thankfully I’ve never had a bad one yet – apprently it’s enough to put people off eating them for life it’s that bad!)
Janie x
Ceri @Natural Kitchen Adventures says
Yeah that was about 10 years ago, happily I’ve learnt your fab advice by now :) x
Elizabeth says
That sounds like a super kitchen appliance! What a quick and easy way to cook this dish!
Jane Sarchet says
Easy & simple Elizabeth, and that’s always a bonus in my kitchen!
Janie x