Air Fryer French Fries
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Learn how to make homemade french fries in the air fryer! Super crispy and golden brown on the outside, pillowy soft on the inside, and made from only 3 ingredients. An easy snack the whole family can enjoy!
Get a load of these air fryer french fries. They’re golden, fluffy, and pack a mean crunch. Who could have thought it would be so easy to transform Russet potatoes into something so crave-worthy?
If you’ve tried my air fryer potato wedges before, then you know that crispy potatoes and the air fryer go hand in hand. The magic of the air fryer comes down to the way it circulates heat. During cooking, all of that heat blows around every inch of the potatoes, helping them turn golden and crunchy on the outside and stay soft on the inside.
This recipe walks you through cooking homemade french fries in the air fryer and gives you a simple 20-minute trick to making the crispiest fries ever. In the end, you’re left with perfect fries that rival any store-bought frozen version.
Recipe features
- One try and you’ll never settle for blah frozen french fries again!
- 3 simple ingredients are transformed into fluffy on the inside, golden and crispy on the outside french fries.
- Learn how one simple secret (soaking the sliced potatoes in cold water) yields the crispiest fries ever.
- The air fryer speeds up the cooking time to give you a big batch of tasty french fries to dip in zhoug sauce in about 1 hour.
Ingredients
Russet potatoes – The best homemade french fries need the best potatoes, and that’s where Russets come in. They’re high in starch and low in moisture, which helps them become soft and fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside. If you can’t find Russet potatoes, use Yukon Gold potatoes instead (their skin is waxy but still work well as a substitute).
Olive oil – Unlike classic deep-fried french fries, these air fryer fries only require 1 tablespoon of olive oil (or another high-heat oil, like avocado oil) to help them crisp up and turn golden brown on the outside. No messy deep fryer oil needed!
Salt – Add a pinch of black pepper, too, if you want. I salted the fries before they went in the air fryer, but you could add an extra pinch when they’re done if you like your fries extra salty.
Instructions
Step 1: Slice. Slice the potatoes in half lengthwise, then slice each half into thin strips that resemble fries.
Step 2: Soak. Soak the sliced fries in a large bowl with cold water for 20 minutes to remove the excess starch. After, drain the water and pat the potatoes dry thoroughly with paper towels.
Step 3: Season. Toss the dried potatoes with the olive oil and salt until well-seasoned.
Step 4: Air fry. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray before placing HALF of the french fries in the basket. Air fry until crispy, then repeat with the remaining fries.
Step 5: Serve. Transfer the air fryer fries to a serving platter, serve with your favorite dipping sauce on the side, and enjoy!
Tips
- No need to peel the potatoes. The skin adds extra crunchiness and an appetizing rustic charm!
- Don’t slice the fries thinner than 1/4-inch matchsticks, or else they could burn in the air fryer. A mandoline will give you evenly sized sticks with the perfect thickness every time.
- Don’t forget the seasonings! After soaking and drying the fries, you can toss them in 2 to 3 teaspoons of dry ranch seasoning, taco seasoning, Italian seasoning, or another seasoning blend you like for extra flavor.
- Keep the cooked fries warm by placing them on a baking sheet in a preheated 200ºF oven while the second batch is air frying.
Tip
I know it’s an extra step, but trust me—soaking the sliced fries in ice-cold water for 20 minutes is the secret to making the best homemade french fries EVER. This process removes excess starch and helps the potatoes crisp up. A 20-minute soak will do the trick, or you can soak them in the fridge overnight.
What should I serve with the fries?
You can’t go wrong with a generous dose of homemade fries paired with a big, juicy grilled bison burger or a couple of mouthwatering BBQ chicken sliders. What’s most important, though, is the dipping sauce.
Sure, you could keep it simple with a side of ketchup or spicy mayo, OR you could go all out with a side of zhoug sauce, chipotle aioli, or ranch dressing.
How long does it take to air fry french fries?
Two batches of french fries will take approximately 15 minutes each in a 380°F air fryer. Just keep in mind that the cooking time may vary depending on the size and shape of your fries and the functionality of your air fryer.
Storage
Refrigerator: If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: You can also freeze the leftover french fries for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Add the chilled or frozen fries to the air fryer basket and reheat at 380ºF for 5 to 10 minutes or until they’re hot and crispy again.
More easy air fryer recipes
If you made this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below. Thanks!
Air Fryer French Fries
Instructions
- Slice potatoes in half lengthways, then slice into thin strips that resemble fries. NOTE: be careful not to slice them too thin or they will burn.
- Place the potato slices in a large bowl, then cover with water and allow them to soak for 20 minutes, which helps remove excess starch and helps them crisp up better. Once the 20 minutes is up, drain the potatoes and transfer them to a clean towel and pat them dry as best you can.
- Wipe the bowl until it’s dry, then place the potatoes back in and add the olive oil and salt; toss to combine.
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (this should take about 3 minutes), then spray the basket with nonstick spray. Place HALF of the potatoes in a single layer or as close to it as you can get. Air fry for 15 minutes, tossing halfway through. Repeat this same process with the remaining potato slices.
- Transfer the fries to a serving plate or bowl, serve with your favorite condiment(s) and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
