Air Fryer French Fries Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (2024)

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If you’re craving hot crispy thick cut homemade fries but don’t want something that is greasy and deep fried, these flavorful Air Fryer French Fries are amazingly delicious! Just the right amount of olive oil and seasonings over freshly cut russet potatoes create the most delicious, melt-in-your-mouth, golden brown french fries.

Air Fryer French Fries Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (1)

Table of Contents

  • Why this recipe is so great:
  • Ingredients needed:
  • How to make Air Fryer French Fries:
  • Recipe tips for perfect results:
  • Serve this recipe with:
  • Air Fryer French Fries Recipe

Why this recipe is so great:

  • Less fat: That’s why we all use the air fryer, right? Instead of traditional deep fried french fries, air fryer french fries have the same great crispy texture with a fraction of the oil.
  • Unbelievable taste and texture: These fries have the perfect amount of seasoning on every bite. Each fry is crispy on the outside and melt-in-your-mouth on the inside.
  • Simple ingredients: Unlike frozen fries that you bake, there are never any surprises when you cook from scratch.

Ingredients needed:

Exact quantities are listed in the recipe card below, but here is a summary.

  • Russet potatoes: Other potatoes can be used, but russets offer the best flavor and texture.
  • Oil: Olive oil is my preferred oil when making air fryer french fries, but something like avocado oil works great too.
  • Seasonings: Garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt are all you need. To take these fries to the next level, you must use Jacobsen Rosemary Salt – I’m absolutely obsessed with this. Not only are their products local to me, but they are outstanding.
Air Fryer French Fries Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (2)

How to make Air Fryer French Fries:

Detailed step by step instructions are listed in the recipe card below, but here is a summary.

  1. Clean potatoes: Scrub off dirt and remove any eyes. I highly recommend using this Veggie & Fruit Scrub Cloth.
  2. Cut: Slice potatoes into fry shapes. My rule of thumb is to keep them no thicker than your pinky finger.
  3. Soak: Do not skip this step. Soaking the potatoes in the cold water not only removes excess starch, but it helps the inside of the fries steam while they cook. This will create the best taste and texture once they’re cooked in the air fryer.
  4. Season: Toss the potatoes with oil and seasoning in a large bowl to coat.
  5. Air fry: Arrange fries in a single layer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, they will need to be cooked in at least two batches. 20 minutes with a shake half way through and they’re done.
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Recipe tips for perfect results:

  • Plan ahead: Since fries need to be cooked in a single layer and this recipe makes a lot, they will need to be cooked in batches. Since each batch takes 20 minutes, these will most likely take a minimum of 40 minutes to make (longer if you have a small air fryer).
  • Storage and reheating: Store any leftover fries in an air-tight container in the refrigerator and consume within 4-6 days. To reheat, just place in air fryer basket and cook at 400°F until heated through.
Air Fryer French Fries Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (9)

Serve this recipe with:

  • Burgers: What’s a delicious fry without an amazing burger? Make a Stuffed Bacon Jalapeno Cheddar Burger, Spicy Southwestern Turkey Burgers, or my favorite World’s Greatest Hamburger.
  • Fry Sauce: Sure, ketchup will work just fine, but take these air fryer french fries to the next level with Southwestern Fry Sauce or Bacon Jalapeno Fry Sauce.
  • Aioli: If you want to be extra decadent, dip the fries into homemade Basil Garlic Aioli, Chipotle Aioli, or Green Chile Aioli.
Air Fryer French Fries Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (10)

Note: The model of air fryer I used for this recipe was the Breville Smart Oven. Although each model air fryer cooking in a similar manner, basket sizes and cooking times may vary greatly from model to model.

If you’ve made this or any other recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out. I love hearing from my readers!

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Air Fryer French Fries

Servings 6 servings

Author Krissy Allori

Air Fryer French Fries Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (11)

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If you're craving hot crispy thick cut homemade fries but don't want something that is greasy and deep fried, these flavorful Air Fryer French Fries are amazingly delicious! Just the right amount of olive oil and seasonings over freshly cut russet potatoes create the most delicious, melt-in-your-mouth, golden brown french fries.

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Ingredients

  • 3 pounds russet potatoes (skin scrubbed to remove dirt but not peeled)
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon sea salt (highly recommend Jacobsen Salt Co. Rosemary salt, can also use kosher salt as a substitution)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

Soak the potatoes:

  • Slice the potatoes into long strips that are 1/4" to 1/2" thick.

    Air Fryer French Fries Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (12)

  • Place in large bowl of cold water for a minimum of 30 minutes, or as long as overnight if kept refrigerated.

    Air Fryer French Fries Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (13)

Cook the fries:

  • Preheat air fryer to 385°F.

  • Drain and rinse the potatoes. Pat dry with a paper towel to remove any excess water. Transfer to a clean bowl and toss with remaining ingredients.

    Air Fryer French Fries Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (14)

  • Add potatoes to the air fryer basket and arrange so that they are in a single layer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, this will need to cook in multiple batches.

    Air Fryer French Fries Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (15)

  • Place basket in preheated air fryer and plan to cook for 20 minutes, shaking the basket well to shift them around after the first 10 minutes. Note: If you sliced the fries thin, they will cook faster, so keep an eye on them. When they are mostly golden brown, remove from air fryer and transfer to a clean bowl. Repeat with remaining batches.

  • Once all the fries are done, you can add all of them back to the air fryer basket and continue cooking for a couple of minutes so that they are all hot and crispy prior to serving.

Notes

Nutritional information based on a half pound of potatoes (uncooked weight) per person – a rather large serving.

  • Plan ahead: Since fries need to be cooked in a single layer and this recipe makes a lot, they will need to be cooked in batches. Since each batch takes 20 minutes, these will most likely take a minimum of 40 minutes to make (longer if you have a small air fryer).
  • Storage and reheating: Store any leftover fries in an air-tight container in the refrigerator and consume within 4-6 days. To reheat, just place in air fryer basket and cook at 400°F until heated through.

Nutrition

Calories: 244kcal, Carbohydrates: 42g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Sodium: 1175mg, Potassium: 960mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 166IU, Vitamin C: 13mg, Calcium: 31mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave me acomment below

Air Fryer Side Dish

Air Fryer French Fries Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (16)

Hi! I’m Krissy.

I love to create the BEST versions of your favorite recipes. If you love to cook, love to eat, or just have a deep appreciation for good food, you're in the right place! Stick around... I have hundreds of recipes for you to make.

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Air Fryer French Fries Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (2024)

FAQs

Air Fryer French Fries Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie? ›

they crisp up more than waxier potatoes like Yukon gold🥔 2. slice 'em THIN🔪 3. Soak with hot water for 10 minutes💦 this draws out some of the excess starch so they can crisp 4.

Why soak fries before air frying? ›

they crisp up more than waxier potatoes like Yukon gold🥔 2. slice 'em THIN🔪 3. Soak with hot water for 10 minutes💦 this draws out some of the excess starch so they can crisp 4.

Why didn t my fries get crispy in air fryer? ›

While it may seem like a pain, soaking the potatoes in hot water for 10 minutes prior to cooking them in the air fryer is essential. The water removes excess starch, allowing the fries to be their crispiest. Instead of soaking them in large bowl of cold water, I like to use hot water to cook the potatoes slightly.

How to cook French fries in a Paula Deen air fryer? ›

Spray potatoes with oil and place in air fryer basket in a single layer. Do not overcrowd. Set temperature to 320 degrees, and air fry for 10 minutes, to remove moisture.

How do you crisp up french fries in an air fryer? ›

If you have a lot of fries to reheat, work in batches to ensure they all reheat and crisp up evenly. Set the temperature and cook time: After placing the basket into the air fryer, select 325 degrees Fahrenheit for the temperature and 5 minutes for the cooking time. Keep in mind that thicker-cut fries may need longer.

What happens if you don't soak potatoes for fries? ›

The main reasons to cut the potatoes and pre-soak in water are: To allow the excess starches and sugars to be removed from the outer surface of the fry strips AND to keep the potatoes from browning prematurely from exposure to air. Covering in water helps the potato from turning a dark color.

Do you need to put oil on fries in an air fryer? ›

They're crispy on the outside, creamy in the middle, and dusted with an irresistible coating of salt. But there is one key difference between deep frying and air frying: you only need a light drizzle of oil to make crispy French fries in the air fryer. As a result, these fries are far healthier than average ones.

How long should you soak potatoes for fries? ›

Place them in a large bowl and cover with cold water. Allow them to soak, 2 to 3 hours. (You can also stick them in the fridge and let them soak overnight.) When you're ready to make the fries, drain off the water and lay the potatoes on 2 baking sheets lined with paper towels.

Why are my fries soggy after air frying? ›

There are a few reasons why your French fries may have ended up soggy when cooking them in the air fryer.
  • Too much oil will cause fries to become soggy when air frying. Just use enough to lightly coat them.
  • They were overcrowded. Make sure to add them in a single layer.
  • They weren't tossed halfway through.
Mar 13, 2023

Can you use pam for french fries in air fryer? ›

Can you use PAM in the air fryer? You should not use nonstick cooking spray such as PAM in an air fryer because it can damage the lining of the air fryer basket. Avoid any pressurized, propellant oil sprays which have chemicals added to them. You can use a non-aerosol pump-style oil spray that has no propellant.

Should you flip fries in air fryer? ›

The Best Air Fryers

It's also best to give most smaller foods (such as cauliflower florets, french fries, or chicken nuggets) a good shake or toss in the middle of the cooking cycle to expose new parts of the food to the heating element.

Why are my fries not crispy in air fryer? ›

Cook the fries at a low heat to start and then turn the air fryer temperature up to give them that crispy texture. Dry your potatoes completely before adding oil. This allows the oil to stick to the potato whereas if it's still wet, it will repel it and they could turn soggy.

Why won t my fries get crispy? ›

If they are still not crispy you might have skipped a step or you might not have let them cool down sufficiently. Make sure to cool them in a single even layer and also make sure that the oil has the right temperature. Or maybe you've used the wrong potatoes to make them.

Do you preheat an air fryer for French fries? ›

Preheat the air fryer to 390°F: Preheat the air fryer for about 15 minutes. Remove the potatoes from the bowl and lay them out on a paper towel or clean kitchen towel. Dry them thoroughly, and then transfer them to a medium bowl and toss them with the oil, rosemary, salt, and pepper.

Is it better to soak fries before frying? ›

This step is commonly missed in making homemade fries, but it might be one of the most important! Soaking your fries in cold water helps remove excess starch, which allows for crispy, golden fries! The cold water bath also helps the french fries retain their shape and contributes to a fluffy inside.

Why do you soak fries in salt water? ›

Why use salt water for soaking potatoes? There's moisture naturally found in potatoes, and moisture is drawn to higher concentrations of salt. (This is a process called osmosis.) So, if you put the potatoes in a salt water bath, that will help draw out some of their moisture, resulting in crispier fries.

Why do you soak fries in vinegar water? ›

When a small amount of vinegar is added to the soaking water before frying, it can help impart a tangy flavor to the fries without making them taste overly vinegary. The acid in the vinegar can also help to slightly break down the surface of the potatoes, aiding in the development of a crispier texture during frying.

Should you salt fries before air frying? ›

Oil: Use a neutral vegetable oil suitable for high heat. I use sunflower oil. Salt: Make sure to add the salt AFTER air frying. It does really affect the crispiness in this particular recipe.

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