If you love crispy, golden French fries but want to skip the deep fryer, these Air Fryer French Fries are just what you need! They’re wonderfully crunchy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and made with only a few simple ingredients. Best of all, you can enjoy homemade fries with much less oil than traditional deep-fried versions.
Making French fries in the air fryer is easier than you might think. All you need are fresh potatoes, a little olive oil, salt, and your favourite seasonings. The air fryer circulates hot air around the potatoes, helping them develop a delicious golden exterior without sitting in a pan of hot oil.
The secret to getting crispy fries is to cut the potatoes evenly, soak them in cold water to remove excess surface starch, and dry them thoroughly before cooking. Cooking in batches also gives the hot air enough room to circulate.
These homemade air fryer fries are perfect for burgers, sandwiches, grilled chicken, fish, or simply enjoying as a snack with your favourite dipping sauce. Once you try them, you may never want to buy frozen French fries again!
Ingredients for Air Fryer French Fries
You only need a handful of everyday ingredients to make crispy homemade French fries in your air fryer.
Ingredients:
- 2 large russet potatoes: Russet potatoes are an excellent choice because their high starch content creates fluffy centres and crispy edges. Maris Piper or King Edward potatoes are also great options in the UK.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: Helps the fries brown and crisp up during cooking. You can also use avocado oil or another neutral cooking oil.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Enhances the natural potato flavour. Add more to taste after cooking.
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder: Adds a delicious savoury flavour.
- ¼ teaspoon paprika: Gives the fries a lovely colour and a mild smoky taste.
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper: Adds a little warmth.
Optional seasonings:
- Dried rosemary: Perfect for a herby flavour.
- Italian seasoning: Adds a delicious blend of herbs.
- Cayenne pepper: Great if you like spicy fries.
- Parmesan cheese: Sprinkle over the hot fries for a cheesy finish.
- Chilli powder: Adds a little extra heat.
Which potatoes are best for air fryer French fries?
Starchy potatoes such as Russet, Maris Piper, and King Edward are ideal. They have a fluffy interior and generally produce crispier fries than waxy potatoes.
How to Make French Fries in Air Fryer
Making French fries in the air fryer requires just a few simple steps. Follow this method for golden fries with crispy edges and soft, fluffy centres.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Soaking time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 15–22 minutes per batch
Total time: Approximately 60–75 minutes, depending on batches
Servings: 4
Step 1: Wash and cut the potatoes
Wash and scrub the potatoes thoroughly to remove any dirt. You can peel them if you prefer, but leaving the skin on adds extra texture and flavour.
Cut each potato lengthwise into slices, then cut those slices into evenly sized sticks, approximately ¼–½ inch thick.
Try to keep the fries similar in size so they cook evenly.
Step 2: Soak the potatoes
Place the cut potatoes in a large bowl of cold water and soak for approximately 30 minutes.
This helps remove excess surface starch, which can make the fries stick together and become less crispy.
For an extra-crispy result, you can soak them for up to an hour.
Step 3: Dry the fries thoroughly
Drain the potatoes and pat them completely dry using a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
This is an important step. Excess moisture creates steam inside the air fryer, making it harder for the fries to become crispy.
Step 4: Season the potatoes
Place the dried potato sticks in a large mixing bowl.
Add the olive oil, salt, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper. Toss everything together until the fries are evenly coated.
Avoid using too much oil. A light coating is all you need.
Step 5: Preheat the air fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for approximately 3–5 minutes if your model recommends preheating.
Preheating helps the fries begin cooking immediately and encourages more even browning.
Step 6: Air fry the French fries
Arrange the fries in the air fryer basket in a single layer as much as possible. Avoid overcrowding because the hot air needs room to circulate.
Cook at 380°F (193°C) for approximately 15–22 minutes, shaking the basket every 5–7 minutes.
The exact cooking time depends on the thickness of your fries, the potato variety, and your air fryer model.
If you’re cooking a large quantity, work in batches rather than filling the basket too tightly.
Step 7: Make them extra crispy
Check the fries near the end of the cooking time. If they need more colour or crispiness, increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C) and cook for another 2–3 minutes.
Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.
Step 8: Season and serve
Remove the fries from the air fryer and immediately sprinkle with a little extra salt if desired.
For a cheesy finish, add grated Parmesan while the fries are still hot.
Serve immediately with ketchup, mayonnaise, garlic sauce, or your favourite dipping sauce.
Tips for Using an Air Fryer
Getting perfectly crispy French fries is easy when you follow a few simple air fryer tips.
1. Choose the right potatoes
Starchy potatoes are best for homemade French fries. Russet, Maris Piper, and King Edward potatoes are excellent choices because they produce fluffy centres and crisp edges.
2. Cut the fries evenly
Try to cut all your potatoes into similar-sized sticks. Thin fries cook faster than thick-cut chips, so keeping the sizes consistent helps prevent some pieces from burning while others remain undercooked.
3. Don’t skip soaking
Soaking the potatoes in cold water helps remove excess starch from the surface. This can improve their texture and help them crisp up during air frying.
4. Dry the potatoes completely
After soaking, make sure the fries are thoroughly dry before adding oil and seasoning. Wet potatoes are more likely to steam rather than crisp.
5. Use just a little oil
You don’t need much oil to make crispy air fryer fries. One tablespoon is usually enough for two large potatoes, depending on their size.
6. Avoid overcrowding the basket
This is one of the biggest secrets to crispy fries. If the basket is too full, the hot air cannot circulate properly, and the potatoes may cook unevenly.
Cook in batches when necessary.
7. Shake the basket regularly
Shake the basket every 5–7 minutes to move the fries around. This helps them brown more evenly on all sides.
8. Adjust the cooking time
Every air fryer is different. Thin fries may cook in 12–15 minutes, while thicker chips may need 20–25 minutes or longer.
Check them regularly and adjust the cooking time according to your preferred texture.
9. Add delicate seasonings after cooking
Fresh herbs, Parmesan cheese, and some seasoning blends are best added after cooking. This prevents delicate ingredients from burning during air frying.
10. Serve immediately
French fries are at their crispiest straight from the air fryer. Letting them sit for too long can cause them to soften as they cool.
What to Serve with Air Fryer French Fries
These crispy homemade French fries go with almost everything! Whether you’re preparing a quick lunch, family dinner, or weekend treat, there are plenty of delicious ways to serve them.
Here are some of my favourite combinations:
1. Homemade Burgers
Serve your fries alongside juicy beef burgers, cheeseburgers, or chicken burgers. Add lettuce, tomato, cheese, and your favourite burger sauce for a classic meal.
2. Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Crispy chicken tenders and homemade French fries make a perfect family-friendly combination. Serve with ketchup, honey mustard, or ranch dressing.
3. Fish and Chips
Pair your fries with battered or breaded fish for a homemade fish-and-chips-style meal. Add mushy peas, tartar sauce, and a wedge of lemon.
4. Grilled Chicken
Serve the fries with seasoned grilled chicken breasts or thighs. Add a fresh garden salad for a balanced and satisfying dinner.
5. Hot Dogs
French fries are a classic side dish for hot dogs. Add mustard, ketchup, onions, or your favourite toppings.
6. Sandwiches and Wraps
Enjoy your fries alongside grilled cheese sandwiches, chicken wraps, steak sandwiches, or club sandwiches.
7. Loaded French Fries
Turn your fries into a delicious sharing snack by adding toppings such as:
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Crispy bacon pieces
- Spring onions
- Sour cream
- Jalapeños
- BBQ sauce
- Chilli con carne
8. Dipping Sauces
Don’t forget the sauces! Some delicious options include:
- Tomato ketchup
- Garlic mayonnaise
- Ranch dressing
- BBQ sauce
- Sweet chilli sauce
- Cheese sauce
- Honey mustard
Make-Ahead and Storage
Air fryer French fries are best served fresh, but you can prepare some of the ingredients ahead of time or save leftovers for another meal.
Can I prepare French fries ahead of time?
Yes! You can cut the potatoes and soak them in cold water ahead of time.
Place the cut fries in a bowl of cold water, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to cook, drain and dry them thoroughly before adding the oil and seasonings.
For the best texture, season the potatoes just before air frying.
How to store leftover air fryer French fries
Allow leftover fries to cool slightly, then transfer them to an airtight container.
Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking and store at 40°F (4°C) or below for up to 3–4 days.
Keep in mind that refrigerated fries will lose some of their original crispiness.
Can I freeze homemade French fries?
Yes! For the best results, freeze the potatoes after partially cooking them.
- Cut and soak the potatoes as described above.
- Drain and dry them thoroughly.
- Air fry at 380°F (193°C) for approximately 8–10 minutes, until partially cooked but not fully browned.
- Allow them to cool completely.
- Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm.
- Transfer the frozen fries to a freezer-safe bag or container.
For the best quality, use within approximately 2–3 months.
Cook the frozen fries directly from frozen, adding extra cooking time as needed.
How to reheat air fryer French fries
The air fryer is the best way to bring leftover French fries back to life.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Arrange the fries in a single layer or a loose layer in the basket.
- Heat for approximately 3–5 minutes, shaking halfway through.
- Add another minute or two if needed until they’re hot and crispy.
Avoid using the microwave if you want to keep the fries crispy, as it can make them soft and soggy.
PrintAir Fryer French Fries
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 4 large russet potatoes
- 3 Tablespoons canola oil
- 2 Tablespoons Kosher sea salt
Instructions
- Wash and scrub potatoes.
- Cut potatoes into 3/8-inch fries.
- Soak cut fries submerged in cool water for 1 hour.
- Preheat air fryer to 380 degrees F.
- Dry raw potatoes with a clean towel then place in a large bowl. Drizzle with oil and toss to coat.
- Working in batches, place some of the fries in the basket. I can usually get half into my air fryer at one time, overlapping somewhat (you will be stirring them so that’s okay!)
- Cook for 20-25 minutes, shaking the basket to toss every 5 minutes. They are done when they are golden on the outside and tender inside.
- Season with Kosher sea salt and serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces!
