Air Fryer French Fries
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Ditch deep frying by making perfectly crispy homemade French fries in the air fryer! This recipe is so easy, you’ll never want to cook frozen fries again!
Why This Recipe is a Favorite
Making homemade French fries in the air fryer is one of the easiest ways to achieve the perfect crispy texture.
Even better than the great taste of them is that making French fries in the air fryer takes just 30 minutes. Now, compare that to the 22-25 minutes to make frozen fries in the oven. Just a few extra minutes for extra flavor and the perfect texture? Absolutely worth it!
Kids love them, parents love them, and they’re endlessly versatile, too. If you’re looking for a side for anything from burgers to seafood, you’ll want to make this recipe!
Learn how to cook anything in your air fryer with our free cook time chart!
Happy Kitchen Secrets
Here are my mom-tested cooking tips for making homemade French fries in the air fryer! I’ve made this recipe countless times to save you from a failed attempt.
- To make sure your fries turn perfectly crispy, peel and cut the potatoes, then soak them in cold water for 15-20 minutes. This draws out excess starch. Then, rinse and pat them dry with paper toweling before cooking.
- Air fry in batches. Avoid soggy fries by arranging the fries in the air fryer basket in a single layer. This gives the hot air plenty of room to circulate.
- Remember to shake the basket. Halfway through cooking, shake the basket to rotate the fries, ensuring even browning. This helps achieve that crispy and crunchy texture.
Ingredients
- Potatoes: For the crispiest air fryer fries, you’ll want to use medium russet potatoes. They have the perfect ratio of starch.
- Oil: I like to use extra virgin olive oil, but you can also use any neutral flavor oil like avocado oil for this recipe.
- Salt and pepper: Enhance the natural flavor of the potatoes for the perfect bite.
Substitutions and Variations
Different seasonings: You can try different seasonings on your fries to see what you like best. Try a dash of garlic powder or some Old Bay seasoning for a unique twist on regular fries.
Extra toppings: Toss the finished fries with chopped parsley, rosemary, or some grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
Spices: Sprinkle on a pinch of smoked paprika, chili powder, or cayenne for fries with a little heat.
How to Make Crispy Air Fryer French Fries
- Wash and slice the potatoes into French fries, then set them in a bowl of cold water for 15 to 20 minutes to draw out excess starch. Then pat dry before seasoning.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). While you wait for it to heat up, toss the potatoes with 2 tablespoons of oil, salt and pepper.
- In batches so as not to overcrowd the air fryer basket, add the potatoes to the air fryer. Cook for about 17-20 minutes, stopping halfway through to shake the basket and rotate the placement of the fries.
Make it kid friendly: Dipping fries into ketchup, homemade Ranch dressing, or even sugar free BBQ sauce makes them irresistible!
FAQs about French Fries in the Air Fryer
Yes, you can! Sweet potatoes work well in the air fryer using the same method. Just note that sweet potatoes cook slightly faster and may need only 15–18 minutes. Keep an eye on them, as they can brown more quickly.
Yep. Yukon gold potatoes have a creamier texture and slightly less starch than russets, so they may be a bit softer inside. But they still crisp up nicely and can be used with the same seasoning and cook time.
Let the fries cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 3–5 minutes until crispy again.
I'd love to hear about your experience making this recipe! Please leave a comment and rating below!
Air Fryer Homemade French Fries
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 large russet potatoes medium
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Wash and slice the potatoes into fries, then set them in a bowl of cold water for 15-20 minutes to draw out excess starch. Use paper toweling to pat the potatoes dry.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- While you wait for it to heat up, toss the potatoes with 2 tablespoons of oil, plus the salt and pepper.
- Arrange the homemade fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket. *You'll most likely need to cook them in batches so as not to overcrowd the basket.
- Air fry for about 17-20 minutes, stopping halfway through to shake the basket, to rotate the placement of the fries.
Notes
Nutrition
Our Favorite Meals to Serve Homemade Fries With
These fries are an excellent side dish for a variety of main dishes. Try them with your favorite burger, like these Hawaiian burgers, or this Big Mac salad bowl.
They're delicious with air fryer chicken nuggets and with seafood dishes like lemon garlic salmon.
Other Easy Air Fryer Sides
One of our most popular air fryer recipes is air fryer bacon. If you're in the mood for more potatoes, these air fryer sweet potatoes are a treat.
I have a lot of air fryer vegetable recipes, too. Make some air fryer kale chips or perfectly crisp green beans (from fresh or frozen).
