Air fryer French fries are crispy, golden fries without the guilt! With just a few simple ingredients and minimal effort, you can make fries in your own kitchen with the perfect combination of a crispy exterior and a fluffy interior.
Whether you want classic salted fries or want to experiment with your favorite seasoning, these air-fried fries are sure to be a family favorite. And you can make them without the mess, hassle, and calories of deep frying.
I know, I know – you’ve probably had your fair share of soggy, lackluster oven fries. But the air fryer changes everything. These fries give you the crunch and flavor you crave with much less oil.
That makes them not only insanely delicious but also much healthier than their deep-fried counterparts. And they’re straightforward to make—just a few simple ingredients and a quick toss in the air fryer.
This makes them perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends when you want something salty and satisfying. In this post, I’ll cover the simple, step-by-step directions you need and all my best tips for the crispiest air fryer fries!
Are you looking for more crispy air fryer recipes? Try air fryer sweet potato fries, air fryer cauliflower, or air fryer lollipop drumsticks.
🥘Ingredient Notes
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
- Russet potatoes: Russet’s are the perfect potato for making fries – they get nice and crispy on the outside and stay fluffy on the inside. Plus, they’re usually pretty big, so you’ll only need a few to make a batch of fries.
- Oil: I like to use olive oil or avocado oil. They’re both healthy options and have a high smoke point, which means they can handle the high heat of the air fryer without burning.
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
🥣How to Make Air Fryer French Fries
- First, scrub your potatoes and pat them dry with a clean towel. You don’t need to peel them unless you really want to—I leave the skins on for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Slice your potatoes into fry-shaped pieces. I like to cut mine about 1/4 inch thick, but you can make them thicker or thinner depending on your preference. Keep them all roughly the same size so they cook evenly.
- Put the sliced potatoes in a large bowl and drizzle with the oil. Toss everything together until the potatoes are evenly coated.
- Sprinkle the salt, pepper, and garlic powder over the potatoes and toss until everything is well combined.
- Transfer the seasoned potatoes to your air fryer basket, spreading them out in a single layer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches.
- Set your air fryer to 380 degrees F and cook the fries for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. Keep an eye on them towards the end—they should be golden brown and crispy when they’re done.
🍴Serving Ideas
Now that you’ve got a big batch of crispy, golden French fries, it’s time to discuss serving ideas! Of course, these air-fried French fries are delicious on their own, served alongside your favorite burger or sandwich.
And don’t forget the dipping sauces! Ketchup, mayo, mustard, fry sauce, or copycat Chick-fil-A sauce are all tasty options. Here are some of my favorite ways to dress up these air fryer beauties.
- Loaded Fries: Top your fries with shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and a dollop of sour cream or ranch dressing. It’s like a loaded baked potato, but even better!
- Garlic Parmesan Fries: Toss your cooked fries with minced garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, and some chopped fresh parsley. It’s a simple but sophisticated twist that’s sure to impress.
- Cheese Fries: Drizzle some gouda cheese sauce over your fries. It’s the ultimate comfort food combo!
- Poutine: Use your fries to make classic Canadian poutine with gooey cheese curds and gravy!
💭How to Store
Let your fries cool completely before storing them. Transfer the cooled fries to an airtight container or zip-top bag. If using a bag, squeeze out as much air as possible to prevent moisture from building up.
Store the fries in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Any longer than that and they’ll start to lose their flavor and texture.
When you’re ready to reheat, preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees F. Spread the fries in a single layer in the basket and cook for 3-5 minutes or until heated through and crispy again. Reheated fries will not be quite as crispy as freshly cooked ones, but they will still be pretty darn delicious.
⭐Tips
Be sure to check out the step by step instructions
- If you have the time, try soaking your sliced potatoes in cold water for 30 minutes to an hour before cooking. Soaking helps remove excess starch and make your fries even crispier.
- After soaking (or even if you skip that step), pat your potatoes dry with a clean towel or paper towels. Excess moisture will prevent them from getting crispy in the air fryer.
- Spreading your fries out in a single layer in the air fryer basket is essential. If you overcrowd them, they’ll steam instead of getting crispy. Work in batches if necessary.
- Halfway through cooking, give the basket a good shake to toss the fries around.
- While the simple salt, pepper, and garlic powder combo is classic, mix things up! Try different spice blends, herbs, or even a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for variety.
📝Reader Questions
Yes, you can. Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F and cook the frozen fries for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. There is no need to thaw or add extra oil.
In addition to soaking and drying your potatoes thoroughly, you can also try coating them in a tablespoon of cornstarch or arrowroot powder before adding the oil and spices.
You can still make delicious oven fries using the same ingredients and method, although they will be less crispy. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F, spread the seasoned potatoes on a baking sheet, and bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through.
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Air Fryer French Fries Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 Russet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon oil avocado, or olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Scrub the potatoes and dry them off. Slice them into long French fries. I usually slice them about ¼ inch thick.3 Russet potatoes
- Put the slices in a bowl. Drizzle them with olive oil and the spices. Toss to mix.1 tablespoon oil, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Put them in the air fryer basket, spreading them out. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer, and cook in batches if necessary.
- Air fry at 380 degrees F for 12-15 minutes until the fries are crispy and brown outside.
Notes
- If you have the time, try soaking your sliced potatoes in cold water for 30 minutes to an hour before cooking. Soaking helps remove excess starch and make your fries even crispier.
- Keep the fries in a single layer in the air fryer. Work in batches if necessary.
- Halfway through cooking, give the basket a good shake to toss the fries around.
- While the simple salt, pepper, and garlic powder combo is classic, mix things up! Try different spice blends, herbs, or even a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for variety.
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Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
