Easy Air Fryer Homemade Crispy French Fries
These easy air fryer homemade crispy French fries are a simple, fresh, and satisfying way to enjoy fries with less oil than traditional deep-fried potatoes. The fries are cut thick, similar to potato wedges, and cooked until golden on the outside and tender on the inside. You can leave the skin on for extra texture or peel the potatoes if you prefer a smoother fry. Finish them with salt and serve them hot with your favorite main dishes, burgers, sandwiches, or dipping sauces.
Air fryer French fries are a great option when you want the flavor and crunch of homemade fries without using a large amount of oil. This recipe uses fresh russet potatoes, a small amount of olive oil, and salt. The key steps are cutting the fries evenly, soaking the potatoes to remove excess starch, drying them well, and cooking them in a single layer or in batches so the hot air can circulate.
Table of Contents
What Type of Potatoes to Use
Russet potatoes work especially well for homemade air fryer French fries. They have a starchy texture that helps the fries become crisp on the outside while staying fluffy in the center. Large, long russet potatoes are ideal if you prefer longer fries. Smaller potatoes will still work, but the fries may be shorter and may cook a little faster.
How to Slice the Potatoes
For thick, homestyle fries, slice each potato lengthwise in half. If the potato is very thick, slice each half again to create long sections. Continue cutting lengthwise until you have fries that are about ½ to ¾ inch thick. Try to keep the pieces as even as possible so they cook at the same rate.
Even sizing is important when making air fryer fries. Thin pieces can brown or burn before thicker pieces are fully cooked. If you end up with a few small or thin fries, separate them and cook them in a shorter batch if needed. This helps prevent uneven cooking and gives you a better final texture.
How to Make Air Fryer French Fries
- Cut the russet potatoes into fries about ½ to ¾ inch thick.
- Place the sliced potatoes in cold water and let them soak.
- Drain the potatoes and dry them completely with paper towels.
- Toss the fries with olive oil and season with salt.
- Cook the fries in the air fryer until crisp, shaking the basket partway through cooking.
Why You Soak the Potatoes
Soaking the potatoes in cold water helps remove excess starch from the surface of the fries. This step makes a noticeable difference because it helps the potatoes firm up and crisp more evenly in the air fryer. For best results, soak the fries for at least 30 minutes. If you have time, soaking them for about an hour is even better. After soaking, dry the potatoes thoroughly. Extra moisture can cause the fries to steam instead of crisp.
Air Fryer Temperature
A temperature of 380 degrees works well for air fryer French fries. It gives the potatoes enough heat to brown and crisp while allowing the inside to cook through. Since air fryer models vary, check the fries as they cook and adjust the time if needed.
Cook Time/How Long to Cook
The total cook time is usually about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on how thick the fries are and how crisp you like them. Shake the basket around the 10-minute mark so the fries cook more evenly. If the fries are already crisp before 20 minutes, remove them. If they need more color or crunch, continue cooking for a few additional minutes.
Avoid overcrowding the basket. Air fryers work by circulating hot air, so the fries need room around them. If your basket is small, cook the fries in two batches. A crowded basket can lead to soft fries because the potatoes steam instead of crisp.
Frozen Fries
If you are cooking frozen fries instead of fresh potatoes, they will generally need an additional 5 to 10 minutes of cook time. The exact time will depend on the thickness of the fries and your air fryer model. Shake the basket during cooking and check often near the end.
Different Spices and Seasonings
- Homemade ranch seasoning
- BBQ seasoning
- Smoked paprika
- Garlic powder
- Cajun seasoning
- Creole seasoning
Recipe Tips
- Use about 1 pound of russet potatoes for 4 servings. Two large potatoes usually work well for this amount.
- Cut the fries into similar sizes so they cook evenly.
- Do not skip soaking the potatoes. It helps remove excess starch and improves crispiness.
- Dry the potatoes completely before adding oil. Wet potatoes will not crisp as well.
- Start with a small amount of salt, then add more after cooking if needed. Potatoes need seasoning, but it is easy to overdo it.
- Serve the fries right away for the crispiest texture. If they sit for too long, they will soften. Reheat them in the air fryer to help bring back the crunch.
Pair These Fries With These Recipes
Air fryer grilled cheese
Air fryer chicken sandwich
Air fryer quesadillas
Air fryer ribs
Air fryer cheeseburgers
Air fryer chicken tenders
Air fryer breaded chicken wings
Air fryer shrimp
Air fryer brats
Easy Air Fryer Homemade Crispy French Fries
Ingredients
- 1 pound large russet potatoes, peeled if desired and cut lengthwise
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- salt, to taste
Instructions
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Place the sliced potatoes in a large bowl and cover them with cold water.
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Let the potatoes soak for at least 30 minutes. If time allows, soak them for about 1 hour.
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Drain the potatoes and dry the fries completely with paper towels.
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Toss the fries with olive oil and season them with salt.
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Place half of the fries in the air fryer basket, or use a single layer if your basket is large enough. Cook at 380 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes.
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Shake the basket at the 10-minute mark to help the fries cook evenly.
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Continue cooking until the fries are crisp and golden. Remove them early if they are done, or add a few extra minutes if they need more crispness.
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Cook the remaining fries in a second batch if needed. Let the fries cool slightly before serving.
Notes
Cut the potatoes lengthwise into fries that are about ½ to ¾ inch thick. Keeping the fries close in size helps them cook evenly.
Soaking the potatoes in cold water helps remove excess starch and improves the texture. Do not skip this step if you want crispier fries.
Serve the fries immediately for the best crunch. If they soften after sitting, reheat them in the air fryer until crisp again.
Nutrition (displayed with net carbs)
Calories: 162 kcal |
Carbohydrates: 32 g |
Protein: 4 g |
Fat: 2 g