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These French Fries in the Air Fryer are crispy and golden on the outside with soft, fluffy centers. Made from fresh russet potatoes with just a few simple ingredients, they’re an easy way to enjoy homemade French fries without pulling out the deep fryer.
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Pin ItThe potatoes are soaked to remove excess starch, dried thoroughly, then tossed with olive oil, cornstarch, and seasonings before heading into the air fryer. Finish them with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese for an easy side dish that tastes worthy of your favorite burger joint.
Whether you’re serving burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, chicken tenders, or steak, these homemade air fryer fries are an easy side everyone will reach for.
Table of Contents
- ❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- What are air fryer French fries?
- Key Ingredients
- Ingredients & Substitutions
- Variations
- Tips for Best Results
- FAQs
- Storage
- How to make French Fries in the Air Fryer
- Can you make air fryer French fries ahead of time?
- What to serve with air fryer French fries
- If You Enjoyed Air Fryer French Fries
- 📌 Save This Recipe
- French Fries in the Air Fryer Recipe
- 🥡 Storage
- ♨️ Reheating
- ❄️ Freezing
- 💡 Tips for Best Results
- 🍳 Alternate Cooking Methods
- ♻️ Leftovers
- 📝 Notes
- 🍽️ Other Recipes You May Enjoy
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy without deep frying. The air fryer gives the potatoes a golden, crisp exterior using much less oil than traditional deep frying.
- Fluffy on the inside. Russet potatoes have plenty of starch, which helps give the fries that classic fluffy center.
- Simple ingredients. You don’t need anything fancy to make a great batch of homemade fries.
- Beginner-friendly. If you’re new to air frying, this is an easy recipe for learning how to get crisp, evenly cooked results.
- Easy to customize. Keep them simple with salt and pepper or add Parmesan, parsley, or your favorite seasonings.
- They go with almost everything. Burgers, sandwiches, chicken, steak, hot dogs, and plenty of other meals are better with fries on the side.
What are air fryer French fries?
Air fryer French fries are fresh potatoes cut into fries and cooked with a small amount of oil using circulating hot air instead of being submerged in frying oil.
You still get the contrast that makes a great French fry so good – a crisp, golden exterior with a soft and fluffy center.
For this recipe, soaking the cut potatoes before cooking helps remove excess surface starch. Thoroughly drying them afterward is equally important. The potatoes are then coated with olive oil, cornstarch, and seasonings before being arranged in the air fryer basket.
The result is homemade French fries with plenty of crispy edges and much less oil than traditional deep frying.
Key Ingredients
NOTE: This section highlights ingredients used in the recipe. Find the full printable recipe in the recipe card below.
Russet potatoes – Russets are my first choice for homemade French fries because their high starch content helps create fluffy centers and crisp exteriors. Yukon Gold potatoes can also be used.
Olive oil – The oil helps the fries brown and crisp in the air fryer. Vegetable oil, canola oil, truffle oil, or another favorite cooking oil can be substituted.
Cornstarch – This is one of the tricks to getting crispier homemade fries. It absorbs surface moisture and creates a light coating that crisps as the potatoes cook. Potato starch is a good substitute.
Garlic powder – Adds a savory garlic flavor without introducing the moisture that fresh garlic would.
Kosher salt – Seasons the potatoes and brings out their flavor.
Black pepper – Adds a subtle peppery bite.
Fresh parsley – An optional finishing touch that adds freshness and color.
Parmesan cheese – Sprinkle grated Parmesan over the finished fries for a savory, cheesy finish. It’s completely optional if you prefer classic French fries.
Ingredients & Substitutions
NOTE: This section suggests substitutions. Find the full printable recipe in the recipe card below.
- russet potatoes – Their high starch content makes russets a great choice for French fries because they develop crisp exteriors while remaining fluffy inside. Yukon Gold potatoes can be substituted.
- olive oil – Helps the potatoes brown and crisp in the air fryer. Vegetable oil, canola oil, truffle oil, or another favorite cooking oil can be substituted.
- kosher salt – Seasons the potatoes and enhances their flavor. Adjust to your personal taste if needed.
- garlic powder – Adds savory garlic flavor without adding extra moisture.
- cornstarch – Helps absorb surface moisture and creates a light coating for crispier fries. Potato starch can be substituted.
- black pepper – Adds a mild peppery flavor. Adjust the amount according to your preference.
- fresh parsley – Adds freshness and color to the finished fries. It’s optional and can be omitted.
- Parmesan cheese – Adds a salty, savory, cheesy finish. It’s optional and can be left off for classic French fries.
Variations
- Parmesan fries – Sprinkle the hot fries with the optional grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
- Garlic Parmesan fries – Keep the garlic powder in the seasoning mixture and finish the fries with Parmesan for extra savory flavor.
- Herb fries – Add the fresh parsley as directed or experiment with your favorite herbs.
- Truffle fries – Substitute truffle oil for the olive oil for a richer flavor.
- Extra-seasoned fries – Use the basic cooking method, then toss the finished fries with your favorite French fry seasoning.
- Skin-on fries – If you enjoy potato skins, you can leave the russet potatoes unpeeled. Just scrub and dry them thoroughly before cutting.
- Yukon Gold fries – No russets? Yukon Gold potatoes can be used instead. The finished texture may be slightly different, but they’ll still make tasty homemade fries.
Tips for Best Results
- Cut the potatoes evenly. Fries that are roughly the same thickness will cook more evenly.
- Don’t skip the soak. Soaking the cut potatoes for 15-30 minutes helps remove excess surface starch.
- Get them really dry. Excess water works against crispiness. Pat the potatoes thoroughly dry before adding the oil and seasonings.
- Use the cornstarch. That light coating helps create the crispy exterior we’re looking for.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket. The hot air needs room to circulate around the potatoes. Arrange them in a single layer without overlapping.
- Shake more than once. Shaking or flipping the fries 2-3 times helps them brown more evenly.
- Watch the final few minutes. Air fryers can cook differently, and thinner fries will cook faster than thicker ones.
- Serve them right away. Like most French fries, they’re at their crispiest shortly after cooking.
My best tip for crispy air fryer fries
The biggest difference comes from what you do before the fries ever go into the air fryer. After soaking the potatoes, dry them really well before tossing them with the olive oil, cornstarch, and seasonings. The potatoes should feel dry on the surface with no visible moisture left behind.
The cornstarch creates a light coating on the dry potatoes that helps them crisp and brown as they cook. Give the fries plenty of room in the basket, too. Keeping them in a single layer lets the hot air circulate around them instead of trapping steam between the potatoes.
I also recommend shaking or flipping the fries 2-3 times while they cook. You’ll know they’re ready when they’re golden brown with crisp edges and fluffy centers.
FAQs
Yes. Frozen French fries cook very well in an air fryer. There’s no need to thaw them first. Cook them straight from frozen according to the temperature and timing recommended on the package.
Several small steps work together. Soak the cut potatoes to remove excess starch, dry them thoroughly, coat them with oil and cornstarch, avoid overcrowding the basket, and shake or flip them several times while they cook.
Soaking helps remove excess starch from the surface of the cut potatoes. This helps the fries develop a crispier exterior when cooked.
Moisture and overcrowding are two common reasons. Make sure the potatoes are thoroughly dry after soaking and give them enough room in the air fryer basket for hot air to circulate.
Also, don’t skip the cornstarch. It helps absorb surface moisture and creates a light coating that crisps during cooking.
This recipe uses 3 tablespoons olive oil to help the potatoes brown and develop a crispy exterior. It is still considerably less oil than you would typically use to deep fry potatoes.
Yes. Russet potatoes are recommended because their high starch content produces fluffy interiors and crispy exteriors. If you don’t have russets, Yukon Gold potatoes can also be used.
Yes. Potato starch can be substituted for the cornstarch in this recipe.
For this recipe, the fries cook at 385°F for 15-20 minutes after the air fryer has been preheated. Shake the basket or flip the fries 2-3 times while they cook.
Cooking time can vary depending on the thickness of your fries and your particular air fryer.
Thicker steak fries may need additional cooking time compared with the ¼ to ½-inch fries used in this recipe. Keep an eye on them and continue cooking until they’re golden brown and cooked through.
You can make them in an Instant Pot model or attachment that has an air fryer function. A standard pressure-cooking function won’t produce the same crispy French fry texture.
BBQ sauce and honey mustard are two easy choices, but these fries work with almost any favorite dipping sauce.
Air frying requires much less oil than traditional deep frying because the potatoes aren’t submerged in oil. That can reduce the amount of added fat compared with traditionally deep-fried French fries. The exact nutrition will depend on the ingredients, serving size, and cooking method.
Storage
Allow leftover French fries to cool before transferring them to an airtight container. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
For the best texture, reheat leftover fries in the air fryer rather than the microwave. The circulating hot air will help bring back some of their original crispiness.
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How to make French Fries in the Air Fryer
NOTE: This section includes a step-by-step guide. Find the full printable recipe in the recipe card below.
Quick steps:
- Preheat the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 385°F.
- Cut the potatoes. Peel the russet potatoes and cut them into fries about ¼ to ½ inch thick.
- Soak the fries. Place the cut potatoes in a large bowl of cold water and soak for 15-30 minutes to help remove excess starch.
- Dry thoroughly. Drain the potatoes, then pat them very dry with paper towels. Removing as much surface moisture as possible helps the fries get crispy instead of steaming.
- Season the fries. Place the dried potatoes in a large bowl. Add 3 tablespoons olive oil, the cornstarch, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Toss until the fries are evenly coated.
- Air fry. Arrange the fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overlapping. Cook at 385°F for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping the fries 2-3 times during cooking.
- Cool briefly. Once golden brown and cooked through, transfer the fries to a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Let them cool for 1-2 minutes.
- Garnish and serve. Sprinkle with finely chopped fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces.
Can you make air fryer French fries ahead of time?
For the best texture, I recommend cooking these fries shortly before you plan to serve them.
You can get some of the prep work done ahead of time by cutting the potatoes in advance. Keep the cut potatoes submerged in cold water in the refrigerator until you’re ready to continue with the recipe.
Before seasoning and cooking, drain the potatoes and dry them very thoroughly.
What to serve with air fryer French fries
Homemade French fries are one of those side dishes that work with almost anything. They’re an obvious choice alongside burgers and hot dogs, but there are plenty of other possibilities.
Try serving them with grilled cheese, chicken tenders, fried chicken, steak, fish, sandwiches, BBQ ribs, or tacos. They can also turn a simple salad or bowl of chili into a more filling meal.
And don’t forget the dipping sauces! BBQ sauce and honey mustard are both great options, or use whatever dipping sauce your family loves.
If You Enjoyed Air Fryer French Fries
These Air Fryer French Fries are an easy way to get crispy, golden fries at home without deep frying. Serve them with ketchup or pair them with homemade Fry Sauce for an easy dipping sauce that makes them even better.
For an easy family-friendly meal, serve these crispy fries alongside Homemade Chicken Nuggets. It’s a fun homemade alternative to grabbing nuggets and fries from the drive-thru.
You can also turn these fries into an easy appetizer or game day snack. Top them with Slow Cooker Hot Dog Chili for homemade chili fries, or use them as inspiration for Loaded Bacon and Cheese Fries with plenty of cheesy, savory toppings.
If you love making restaurant-style sides at home, try Crispy Onion Rings next. They’re another crispy favorite that works with burgers, sandwiches, hot dogs, and plenty of dipping sauces.
Keep the air fryer working by serving these fries with Air Fryer Chicken Wings. The combination makes an easy dinner or game day meal without having to turn on the oven.
📌 Save This Recipe
Save this French Fries in the Air Fryer recipe so you’ll have it handy whenever you’re craving crispy homemade fries. It’s also a great one to add to your favorite air fryer, easy side dish, or potato recipe Pinterest board.
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French Fries in the Air Fryer
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Equipment
- vegetable peeler
- large bowl
- paper towels
Ingredients
- 4 medium russet potatoes, about 2 pounds, washed and dried
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2-3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 385°F.
- Peel the potatoes and cut them into ¼ to ½-inch thick fries using a sharp knife.4 medium russet potatoes
- Place the cut potatoes in a large bowl of cold water and soak for 15-30 minutes to remove excess starch.
- Drain the potatoes and thoroughly pat them dry with paper towels.
- Transfer the dried potatoes to a large bowl. Add all 3 tablespoons olive oil, the cornstarch, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Toss until the fries are evenly coated.3 tablespoons olive oil, 2-3 tablespoons cornstarch, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1½ teaspoons kosher salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Arrange the fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket, avoiding overlap.
- Air fry at 385°F for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping the fries 2-3 times during cooking for even browning. Cook until the fries are golden brown and cooked through.
- Transfer the fries to a baking sheet lined with paper towels and allow them to cool for 1-2 minutes.
- Garnish with finely chopped fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve immediately with BBQ sauce, honey mustard, or your favorite dipping sauces.2 tablespoons fresh parsley, ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Notes
🥡 Storage
- Allow leftover French fries to cool before storing them.
- Transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- For the best texture, don’t leave cooked fries sitting at room temperature longer than necessary before storing them.
♨️ Reheating
- The air fryer is the best way to reheat leftover fries and restore some of their crispiness.
- Place the fries in the air fryer basket in a single layer when possible.
- Reheat using your air fryer’s reheating setting until the fries are hot and crispy.
- Avoid the microwave when crispiness is important since it tends to make leftover fries soft.
❄️ Freezing
- Freezing the finished fries is not recommended for this recipe. Their texture is best when they’re freshly cooked or refrigerated and reheated.
- For a freezer-friendly option, commercially prepared frozen French fries can be cooked directly from frozen in the air fryer according to the package directions.
💡 Tips for Best Results
- Cut the potatoes as evenly as possible so they cook at the same rate.
- Soak the cut potatoes in cold water for 15-30 minutes to remove excess surface starch.
- Dry the potatoes very thoroughly before adding the oil and seasonings. Remaining moisture can prevent the fries from getting crispy.
- Toss the potatoes with the full 3 tablespoons olive oil so they’re evenly coated.
- Don’t skip the cornstarch. It helps create a crisp, golden exterior.
- Arrange the fries in a single layer and avoid overlapping them.
- Shake the basket or flip the fries 2-3 times during cooking for more even browning.
- Keep an eye on the fries toward the end of the cooking time. Thinner fries may cook faster.
- Serve immediately for the crispiest texture.
🍳 Alternate Cooking Methods
- Frozen French fries: Store-bought frozen fries can be cooked directly from frozen in the air fryer. Follow the temperature and cooking time recommended on the package.
- Instant Pot with air fryer function: An Instant Pot equipped with an air fryer lid or air frying function can be used. Follow the same general method while adjusting the cooking time as needed for your appliance.
♻️ Leftovers
- Reheat leftover fries in the air fryer and serve them again as a side dish.
- Serve reheated fries alongside burgers, sandwiches, hot dogs, chicken tenders, or steak.
- Turn leftover fries into loaded fries by adding cheese and your favorite toppings.
📝 Notes
- Air fryer models vary, so the exact cooking time may differ slightly.
- Cut the fries approximately ¼ to ½ inch thick.
- Thicker fries may require additional cooking time.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the fries in batches.
- Fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese are optional.
- Potato starch can be substituted for cornstarch.
- Yukon Gold potatoes can be substituted for russet potatoes, although the finished texture may differ.
- Vegetable oil, canola oil, truffle oil, or another preferred cooking oil can be substituted for olive oil.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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