If you love thick, golden, crispy fries with a fluffy centre, these Air Fryer Steak Fries are about to become one of your favourite side dishes! They’re easy to make, require just a few simple ingredients, and cook in less time than traditional oven-baked fries.
Steak fries are thicker than regular French fries, giving them a delicious combination of crispy edges and soft, fluffy potato centres. The air fryer makes them beautifully golden without needing to deep-fry them in a large amount of oil.
All you need are a few potatoes, olive oil, and your favourite seasonings. Serve these homemade steak fries with burgers, grilled chicken, steak, or fish for a delicious meal the whole family will enjoy.
Whether you’re preparing a quick weeknight dinner or looking for a tasty snack, this easy air fryer steak fries recipe is always a winner!
Why You’ll Love It
There are plenty of reasons to make steak fries in your air fryer. Here are a few things that make this recipe so good:
- Crispy on the outside: The hot circulating air helps create golden, lightly crunchy edges.
- Fluffy on the inside: Their thick shape keeps the centres soft and tender.
- Easy to prepare: You only need a few minutes of preparation before they go into the air fryer.
- Less oil required: A little olive oil is enough to help the seasonings stick and encourage browning.
- Customisable seasoning: Use garlic powder, paprika, Cajun seasoning, or your favourite spice blend.
- Perfect side dish: They go wonderfully with burgers, sandwiches, chicken, fish, and steak.
- Great for sharing: Make a batch for family dinners, movie nights, or game-day snacks.
Ingredients
You only need a handful of everyday ingredients to make these delicious homemade steak fries.
- 3 large russet potatoes: Russet potatoes are ideal because their high starch content helps create fluffy centres and crispy edges. Maris Piper or King Edward potatoes are good alternatives in the UK.
- 1½ tablespoons olive oil: Helps the potatoes brown and gives the seasonings something to stick to.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder: Adds a delicious savoury flavour.
- 1 teaspoon paprika: Gives the fries a lovely golden colour and mild smoky flavour. Use smoked paprika for extra depth.
- ½ teaspoon onion powder: Adds a little sweetness and savoury flavour.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Enhances the natural potato flavour.
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper: Adds a gentle kick.
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley (optional): For extra flavour and colour.
You can easily adjust the seasonings to suit your taste. Add chilli powder for spicy fries or dried rosemary for a delicious herby version.
Instructions
Making steak fries in the air fryer is simple. The key is to cut the potatoes evenly, remove excess moisture, and avoid overcrowding the basket.
Step 1: Wash and prepare the potatoes
Wash and scrub the potatoes thoroughly under cold running water. You can peel them if you prefer, but leaving the skin on gives the fries a more rustic texture and adds extra flavour.
Pat the potatoes dry with a clean kitchen towel.
Step 2: Cut into steak fries
Cut each potato lengthways into thick slices, then cut those slices into chunky fries.
Aim for pieces approximately ½–¾ inch (1.25–2 cm) thick. Try to keep them similar in size so they cook evenly.
Step 3: Soak the potatoes (optional)
For extra crispiness, place the cut potatoes in a bowl of cold water and soak for approximately 20–30 minutes.
This helps remove some of the surface starch. Drain the potatoes thoroughly afterwards.
Step 4: Dry thoroughly
Drain the potatoes and spread them on a clean kitchen towel. Pat them completely dry.
This is an important step because excess moisture can prevent the fries from becoming crispy.
Step 5: Season the fries
Place the potatoes in a large mixing bowl. Add the olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and dried parsley.
Toss everything together until the fries are evenly coated.
Step 6: Preheat the air fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for approximately 3 minutes, if your model recommends preheating.
Step 7: Air fry the steak fries
Arrange the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Leave a little space between the pieces so hot air can circulate.
Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 18–25 minutes, shaking the basket or turning the fries halfway through cooking.
Start checking around 18 minutes. Smaller or thinner fries may cook faster, while thicker pieces may need a little longer.
Step 8: Serve and enjoy
Once the steak fries are golden and crispy on the outside and tender in the middle, carefully remove them from the air fryer.
Taste and add a little extra salt if needed. Serve immediately with ketchup, mayonnaise, garlic dip, or your favourite sauce.
Quick Facts
How do I know when my air fryer steak fries are done?
Your steak fries are ready when they have a golden-brown exterior and a soft, fluffy centre.
Here are a few ways to check:
- Colour: The outside should look golden with lightly browned edges.
- Texture: The fries should feel slightly crispy on the outside.
- Fork test: Insert a fork or small knife into the thickest fry. It should slide in easily without much resistance.
- Taste test: Carefully taste one once it has cooled slightly. The centre should be soft and fully cooked.
Cooking time usually ranges from 18–25 minutes at 400°F (200°C), but it depends on the thickness of the fries and your air fryer model.
If they aren’t crispy enough, cook them for another 2–3 minutes and check again.
How do I cook frozen steak fries in the air fryer?
Frozen steak fries are even easier because you don’t need to wash, peel, cut, or soak any potatoes.
Follow these simple steps:
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C), if recommended by the manufacturer.
- Place the frozen steak fries directly into the air fryer basket.
- Arrange them in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding.
- Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for approximately 12–18 minutes, depending on their thickness and the package instructions.
- Shake the basket halfway through cooking to help them brown evenly.
- Check that they are hot throughout and crispy to your liking.
- Season with a little salt or your favourite seasoning and serve immediately.
You generally don’t need to add oil to frozen steak fries because many commercial varieties are already partially cooked and coated with oil. Always check the package instructions, as cooking times vary between brands.
Do you have to soak potatoes in water before air frying?
No, soaking potatoes before air frying is optional. You can make delicious steak fries without soaking them.
However, soaking cut potatoes in cold water for 20–30 minutes can help remove some surface starch, which may improve crispiness.
If you’re short on time, simply cut the potatoes, rinse them under cold water, and dry them thoroughly before adding the oil and seasonings.
The most important step is making sure the potatoes are completely dry before air frying.
Top Tips
Want to make the best air fryer steak fries every time? Keep these simple tips in mind.
1. Choose the right potatoes
Russet potatoes are an excellent choice because they have a fluffy texture when cooked. In the UK, Maris Piper and King Edward potatoes also work well.
2. Cut them evenly
Try to cut all your fries to a similar thickness. Uneven pieces cook at different speeds, meaning some may become too brown while others remain undercooked.
3. Dry the potatoes properly
After rinsing or soaking, use a clean kitchen towel to remove as much moisture as possible. Wet potatoes are more likely to steam instead of crisp.
4. Don’t use too much oil
A small amount of olive oil is enough. Too much oil can make the fries greasy rather than crispy.
5. Avoid overcrowding the basket
This is one of the biggest secrets to crispy air fryer fries. Cook in batches if necessary so the hot air can circulate around every piece.
6. Shake halfway through cooking
Give the basket a good shake around halfway through the cooking time. This helps the fries brown more evenly.
7. Season to your taste
Garlic powder, paprika, Cajun seasoning, black pepper, and dried herbs all work beautifully. For a cheesy finish, sprinkle a little grated Parmesan over the fries after cooking.
8. Serve immediately
Steak fries are at their best straight from the air fryer. They can soften as they cool, so serve them while they’re still hot.
9. Remember that air fryers vary
Different air fryer brands and models can cook at different speeds. Use the cooking time as a guide and adjust as needed.
How to Store
If you have leftover air fryer steak fries, you can store them and enjoy them later.
In the refrigerator:
Allow the fries to cool slightly, then place them in an airtight container. Refrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below and use within 3–4 days.
Avoid leaving cooked fries at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
In the freezer:
You can freeze cooked steak fries, although their texture may become softer after thawing. Let them cool completely, arrange them in a single layer on a baking tray until frozen, and transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container.
For the best quality, use within 1–2 months.
How to reheat steak fries in the air fryer:
The air fryer is the best way to bring back some of their crispiness.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C), if recommended.
- Place the leftover fries in the basket in a single layer.
- Air fry for approximately 3–5 minutes, shaking halfway through.
- Check that they are heated thoroughly. Add another minute if needed.
For frozen cooked leftovers, allow extra reheating time and check that they reach 165°F (74°C) throughout.
These air fryer steak fries are an easy, delicious way to enjoy thick, crispy homemade fries without deep frying. Keep a few potatoes in your kitchen, choose your favourite seasonings, and you’ll always have a tasty side dish ready to make!
PrintHomemade Air Fryer Steak Fries
These Air Fryer Steak Fries are crispy and perfectly seasoned. They make the perfect side or easy appetizer and are ready in under 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 pound Yukon gold potatoes, cut into wedges
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- In a large bowl, add the sliced potatoes, oil and spices. Toss all of the ingredients together until all of the potatoes are coated.1 pound Yukon gold potatoes, 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon paprika
- Place in the air fryer basket or tray and cook for 20-25 minutes until golden.
- Serve with flakey salt and ketchup.
