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Fries are one of those things that I could snack on anytime, anywhere. But I’m not always in the mood for all the oil and mess of deep-frying, which is where the air fryer totally saves the day. These air fryer French fries come out crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, without the need for a vat of oil. And keeping the skins on gives them that homemade feel I love, plus it saves a step (because, who’s got time?).
Jump to Section
- Recipe At a Glance
- Why This is So Good
- Ingredients to Make Crispy Air Fryer French Fries
- Popular Substitutions & Additions
- How to Make the Best Air Fryer French Fries
- Tips for Making Air Fryer French Fries From Scratch
- What to Serve with Your Homemade Air Fried French Fries
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Air Fryer Recipes:
- Air Fryer French Fries Recipe
Cooking French fries in the air fryer is so easy and quick that you may skip deep frying them ever again! The air fryer’s convection surrounds the potato sticks in concentrated indirect heat, allowing the fries to cook evenly all over.
Recipe At a Glance
Cuisine Inspiration: American
Primary Cooking Method: Air Fryer
Dietary Info: Gluten-free, Vegan
Key Flavor: Savory with a hint of smokiness
Skill Level: Easy
Why This is So Good
- Easy to get crispy. The trick to crispy air-fried French fries is to cut the potatoes thin and allow them to dry out and remove extra moisture for a crispy fry.
- Less oil than fried. While this method doesn’t eliminate oil completely, it only uses 1 tablespoon for the whole batch, and that 1 tablespoon is plenty for two large potatoes!
- Simple ingredients. Just potatoes, a little oil, and some seasoning – you likely already have everything on hand.
Ingredients to Make Crispy Air Fryer French Fries
- Potatoes: Russet potatoes are the best for air-fried French fries. I would avoid waxy potatoes, as they are likely not to crisp up correctly. You could try another starchy potato, like Yukon Gold or Idaho potatoes.
- Oil: I use olive oil because it has a high smoke point and is perfect for crisping up food. You can use any other high-heat oil, such as avocado oil.
- Spices: Salt, black pepper, and paprika. Feel free to add your own spice blends!
Popular Substitutions & Additions
- Swap Russets for Sweet Potatoes: If you’re in the mood for a twist, sweet potatoes work great in this recipe, adding a slightly sweet flavor and a bit of extra nutrition. If you want a dedicated recipe check out my Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries.
- Try Avocado Oil Instead of Olive Oil: Avocado oil is a great high-heat option that gives a mild, buttery flavor to the fries. It’s also perfect if you want a neutral oil that still crisps the fries up.
- Seasoning Options: Try garlic powder and a little Parmesan for a garlic-Parmesan style, toss with Cajun seasoning, BBQ seasoning or sprinkle on some ranch seasoning or lemon pepper.
- Add Fresh Herbs: After cooking, sprinkle fresh chopped parsley, chives, or rosemary on top to add a little brightness and color to your fries.
How to Make the Best Air Fryer French Fries
Tips for Making Air Fryer French Fries From Scratch
- Make sure to dry the potatoes. After cutting the potatoes, they may release some extra moisture. Use a paper towel to dab them dry, which will help them become more crispy in the air fryer.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket. You may feel the urge to toss all the fries in the air fryer at once, but if you overcrowd the basket and these air fryer potato fries overlap, you may create a steaming effect instead of a crisping effect.
- Don’t be afraid to add more time to the air fryer. That’s the beauty of the air fryer basket – you can easily check on the food and keep adding time until you have the perfect crispy texture.
- Shake the basket halfway through. For the best crispy result, toss the fries in the basket at least once while air frying. Doing so will allow all sides of the potato to crisp up and help the countertop convection oven work its magic.
What to Serve with Your Homemade Air Fried French Fries
- Grilled Turkey Burgers
- Beef Burgers
- Pickle Brined Chicken Tenders
- Grilled Cheese Dippers
- Air Fryer Fish & Chips
- Turkey Salad Sandwich
- Chickpea ‘Tuna’ Salad
Frequently Asked Questions
Air fried fries are best fresh, but you can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers up to 4-5 days in the fridge. To reheat, place back into a preheated 380ºF air fryer and heat for about 5 minutes or until just crisp.
There are a few reasons why your French fries may have ended up soggy when cooking them in the air fryer.
1. Too much oil will cause fries to become soggy when air frying. Just use enough to lightly coat them.
2. They were overcrowded. Make sure to add them in a single layer.
3. They weren’t tossed halfway through. The air fryer is great for frying but does require a little hands-on while cooking. Tossing them about halfway through is the easiest way to make sure they are being cooked on all sides, just like tossing oven baked fries.
You can’t go wrong with ketchup! But for some fun ideas, try French fries dipped in one of my homemade sauces:
Avocado Crema
How to Make Spicy Mayo
Creamy Feta Dip
Homemade Ranch Dip
Lebanese Garlic Sauce
No! My method skips the soak and instead allows the potatoes to dry. You can layer them between paper towels to help soak up any extra moisture.
These air fryer French fries are crispy on the outside with fluffy potato goodness on the inside. Fries are a staple in most households, and this recipe uses far less oil which is so good paired with your favorite meal or as an easy snack between meals.
More Air Fryer Recipes:
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
- Air Fryer Meatballs
- Air Fryer Cauliflower
- Air Fryer Tofu
- Air Fryer Popcorn
- Air Fryer Hamburgers
- Air Fryer Steak
- Air Fryer Baked Potato
- Air Fryer Chickpeas
- Air Fryer Vegetables
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Air Fryer French Fries
Ingredients
- 2 russet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Ketchup for serving
Instructions
- Preheat an air fryer to 380ºF.
- Wash the potatoes very well and keep the skin on. Use a sharp knife to cut the potatoes into thin sticks, about ¼-inch in thickness. Pat them dry with paper towels to soak up any moisture.
- Place the potato sticks in a large bowl along with the olive oil, paprika, salt and pepper. Toss to combine.
- Transfer the potatoes to the air fryer and arrange in a single layer. You may need to cook in two batches. Cook until crispy with golden brown edges, shaking the basket halfway through, 15-18 minutes total.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
Awesome..May I have your recipe for the Sauce,thank you
Hi Zouhair! I just serve them with ketchup that I purchase from my local grocery store. Hope you enjoy!