Air fryer French fries come out perfectly crispy every time! Made with russet potatoes, extra virgin olive oil, and a pinch of salt, this recipe is quick and simple — to be served with your favorite sauces.
Making air fryer French fries is an art form. I remember the first time I tried to do it. I was a novice air fryer owner and didn’t know about the importance of leaving a little bit of breathing room in the basket. The results were a half-burnt, half-undercooked mess. Oh, how I’ve learned since then!
These days I feel like an air fryer expert. I no longer make common mistakes and I know exactly what quantities to put in the basket for the best results. I want to impart some of my air fryer wisdom to all of you! One good recipe to start with is air fryer French fries.
They are made with fresh potatoes, and the flavor and texture are just perfect. If you love fries, but don’t want to deal with all of the excess oil that comes with traditional recipes, this is the perfect side dish for you.
Here’s what I’m going to teach you in this post:
- Step-by-step instructions for making French fries in the air fryer, plus why you should have a bowl filled with cold water on hand.
- Specific cooking instructions to use your air fryer to make homemade French fries.
- FAQs on making air fryer French fries, including how to get crispy results every time.
If you’ve got a thing for French fries but don’t want to break out your deep fryer, this recipe for air fryer French fries is the best solution. To be enjoyed in moderation…or not!
How To Make Air Fryer French Fries
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Before you get started, fill a medium-sized bowl halfway with cold water. Then, peel the potatoes if you like (optional) and cut them into ¼-inch slices.
I like to use a Y-peeler to peel the skin off since it’s easier to hold in my hand.
STEP TWO: As you slice the potatoes, add them to the water bowl to soak. Drain and then refill the bowl. Mix the potatoes around using the same motion you would use on a salad.
Drain the bowl again, and repeat the process 5-6 times until the water runs clear. This process removes any excess starch and will give you crispy results every time.
STEP THREE: Dry the potatoes and bowl with a paper towel, then add the potatoes back to the bowl. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and add the salt. Mix to combine.
STEP FOUR: Cook your fries in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes and then again at 400 degrees F for 15-18 minutes. Shake the air fryer basket every 5 minutes. Remove them from the basket when they’re done and serve with your favorite dipping sauces!
How Do You Make Crisp Fries In An Air Fryer?
Don’t underestimate the power of thoroughly rinsing the raw potatoes as instructed above and on the recipe card below!
This technique, combined with air frying at 350 degrees F to start and then switching over to 400 degrees F, will give you perfectly crisp fries.
What to Serve with Air Fryer French Fries
Why Do You Soak Potatoes in Water Before Air Frying?
Potatoes naturally have a lot of starch in them. By rinsing and draining and repeating the process several times, you can remove it.
Your French fries will crisp up really nicely without all of that excess starch. Follow my instructions above or feel free to allow your potatoes to soak for an hour. Both methods work!
Do You Put Oil In The Air Fryer For Fries?
I recommend applying the EVOO to the raw potatoes in a mixing bowl before you add them to your air fryer.
You can use a bit of oil directly in the air fryer (for tips on how to add oil to your air fryer click here), but I find that you really don’t need that much for this recipe. Just a tablespoon added to the bowl does the trick!
Why Are My Fries Not Crispy In The Air Fryer?
Your air fryer French fries could come out mushy or soggy if you don’t air fry them at the right temperature. Follow my directions and you should be fine!
Another thing to look out for is an overcrowded basket. If the hot air is unable to pass between the potatoes, they won’t get crispy. Remember: that was my major mistake the first time I tried to make this dish.
How to Reheat French Fries in An Air Fryer
- Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees.
- Cook the leftover fries in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes until the fries are hot and crispy.
This method works for leftover homemade air fryer french fries, frozen fries, and even fries from places like Mcdonald’s and Wendy’s!
Other Air Fryer French Fry Recipes You’ll Love:
Prep Time
5 minutes
Cook Time
25 minutes
Total Time
30 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 russet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Fill a medium-sized bowl halfway with cold water
- Peel potatoes (if desired) and cut them into 1/4 inch slices.
- As you slice the potatoes, add them into the water to soak
- Drain potatoes and fill bowl back up. Mix the potatoes around like you’re rotating a salad with your hands. Drain again. Repeat 5-6 times until water is clear.
- Dry off potatoes and bowl with a paper towel
- Add potatoes back to dry bowl. Add extra virgin olive oil and salt. Mix to combine.
- Cook french fries at 350 degrees for 10 minutes, then at 400 degrees for 15-18 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4
Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 114Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 76mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 2gSugar: 1gProtein: 2g
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
