Air Fryer French Fries
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Everyone loves golden brown, salty, crispy French fries, but they can be a lot of work to prepare. Ditch deep frying with this recipe for delicious, homemade Air Fryer French Fries and you’ll never go back to store-bought fries!
Air Fryer French Fries Recipe
Making French fries in the air fryer is one of the easiest ways to have the perfect crispy and golden result. Simply cut and soak the potatoes, toss them in oil and seasonings, cook them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, and you’ve got a little piece of heaven.
Homemade French fries are an absolute favorite at my house. 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 air fryer French fries tonight!
Why I Love Air Fryer Fries
- They are crispy with less oil. You get that perfect golden crunch without deep frying. Just a couple of tablespoons of olive oil is all it takes!
- They’re made with just a few simple ingredients. All you need are potatoes, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Nothing fancy is required: just pantry staples.
- They’re a lighter alternative to store-bought fries. Made from real potatoes with just a few simple ingredients, these fries are an easy, feel-good way to satisfy your fry craving at home.
Ingredients
- Potatoes: You’ll want to use 5-6 medium russet potatoes for this recipe.
- Oil: I like to use extra virgin olive oil, but you can also use a neutral oil like avocado oil for this recipe.
- Salt & 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.
Learn how to cook anything in your air fryer with our free cook time chart!
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.
Tips for Success
To make these air fryer fries extra succesful, here are a few important tips:
- To make sure your fries turn out nice and crispy, soak peeled and cut potatoes in cold water for 15-20 minutes to draw out excess starch, then rinse and pat dry before cooking.
- Work in batches. Make sure you add the cut fries to the air fryer basket in a single layer. This gives the hot air plenty of room to circulate to avoid soggy fries.
- 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.
FAQ
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.
Yes, but with a few changes. Skip the soaking, drying, and oil. Frozen fries are already partially cooked and often pre-oiled. Check out this recipe for air fryer frozen French fries for the perfect times and temps!
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.
How to Serve
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 or with seafood dishes, like this lemon garlic salmon.
And don’t forget to serve your air-fried French fries with your favorite condiments. We love ours with ketchup or ranch dressing!
I’d love to hear about your experience making this recipe! Please leave a comment and rating below!
Air Fryer French Fries
Equipment
Ingredients
- 5-6 large russet potatoes medium
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Wash and slice the potatoes into French fries, then set them in a bowl of cold water for 15-20 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.
Notes
Nutrition
More Air Fryer Recipes
One of our favorite easy air fryer recipes is this air fryer bacon.
If you’re in the mood for more potatoes, these air fryer sweet potatoes are a treat.
Air fryer chicken drumsticks are a family favorite, and so easy to make!
We also can’t get enough of these air fryer potato slices.
