Air Fryer French Fries

Restaurant-quality crispy french fries made healthier in the air fryer. Golden on the outside, fluffy inside, with minimal oil.

Prep
15 min
Cook
20 min
Servings
4
Calories
180
Difficulty
Easy
Cuisine
American
Air Fryer French Fries - Air Fryer recipe

Ingredients

  • • 2 lbs russet potatoes
  • • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • • Salt to taste
  • • Fresh parsley, chopped
  • • Ketchup for serving
  • • Aioli for dipping

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cut potatoes into 1/4-inch thick fries. Soak in cold water for 30 minutes to remove starch.
  2. Step 2: Drain and pat fries completely dry with paper towels.
  3. Step 3: Toss with olive oil, garlic powder, and paprika.
  4. Step 4: Preheat air fryer to 380°F. Cook fries in a single layer for 10 minutes.
  5. Step 5: Shake basket, increase temperature to 400°F, and cook another 8-10 minutes until golden.
  6. Step 6: Season immediately with salt and fresh parsley. Serve with ketchup or aioli.

👨‍🍳 Chef's Notes

💡 Pro Tips

  • • Soaking the cut potatoes in cold water is not optional — it draws out excess starch, which is what causes fries to steam instead of crisp.
  • • Dry the potatoes extremely well after soaking; any residual moisture will create steam in the air fryer and soften the exterior.
  • • Cook in a single layer with space between each fry — overlapping creates steaming, not crisping.
  • • Season with salt immediately after cooking while the surface is still hot and slightly oily so the seasoning adheres.

🔄 Variations

  • • Toss with Parmesan, garlic, and parsley after cooking for garlic-parmesan fries.
  • • Add a teaspoon of smoked paprika and a pinch of cayenne to the oil for spiced sweet potato fries (use sweet potatoes).
  • • For steak-cut fries, cut potatoes thicker (1/2 inch), soak longer (45 min), and extend cook time by 4–5 minutes.

📦 Storage

Air fryer fries are a one-and-done dish — they soften quickly once cooled and do not reheat well. If you must store them, refrigerate for up to 2 days and re-fry at 400°F for 4–5 minutes, though they won't be quite as crispy.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

  • • Serve in a lined paper cone or basket with a variety of dipping sauces: ketchup, truffle aioli, and spicy sriracha mayo.
  • • Pair with a classic beef burger, grilled chicken sandwich, or fish and chips.
  • • Add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt and fresh rosemary for an elevated take.