The Best Air Fryer French Fries Recipe

How to Make French Fries in the Air Fryer

Forget deep-frying—using an air fryer gives you that perfect crisp without excessive oil, making it a healthier option with less fat and fewer calories. Whether you like them thick and fluffy or thin and crispy, this recipe will guide you through step-by-step. Plus, we’ll cover seasoning variations, dipping sauce ideas, and even how to make sweet potato fries!

Watch me make these fries on this YouTube Video!

Ingredients and Supplies to Make Homemade Fries

Ingredients

• Russet potatoes, washed and dried
• Avocado oil (or olive oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil)
• Salt
• Garlic powder
• Salt and pepper

Supplies

• Air fryer
• Large bowl
• Knife and cutting board
• Mandoline slicer
• Paper towels or clean kitchen towel

Healthier Oil Alternatives

Instead of using traditional vegetable oil, consider these healthier options:

• Avocado Oil: High smoke point, great for air frying.
• Olive Oil: Adds a mild flavor and is rich in antioxidants.
• Coconut Oil: Adds a slight sweetness and is a healthier fat option.

Seasoning Variations

Looking to personalize your fries? Experiment with different flavors to create your perfect batch. Try these delicious seasoning options:

• Classic: Salt and black pepper
• Garlic Parmesan: Garlic powder, Parmesan cheese, and parsley
• Spicy Cajun: Paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, and onion powder
• Herb & Lemon: Fresh parsley, lemon zest, and sea salt

How to Make Crispy Air Fryer French Fries

Step 1: Cut the Potatoes

Slice potatoes lengthwise into ½-inch thick planks, then cut into fries.

Cutting the fries a bit thicker—about ½ inch—helps keep the centers from becoming hollow and gives you that perfect contrast between a crispy exterior and a fluffy interior. The tradeoff? Thicker fries take a little longer to cook.

If you prefer thinner, shoestring-style fries, they have their own advantages. They cook faster, taking about 15 minutes so that you can enjoy them even sooner! Use a mandoline cutter for quick, thin slicing.

Step 2: Rinse and Soak the Fries

Place the potatoes in a strainer. Rinse the potatoes under cold water. At first, the water will look cloudy, but it will run clear after the second or third rinse.

Once rinsed, cover the potatoes with hot tap water and let them soak for 10 minutes. This process removes excess starch, which is key to achieving that perfectly crispy texture.

Step 3: Dry the Fries

Drain and thoroughly pat dry with paper towels. The drier, the better!

You want to pat those potatoes dry after soaking them because the oil adheres better to dry potatoes, and it helps to prevent soggy fries.

Step 4: Toss with Oil and Seasoning

Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).

There’s a bit of back-and-forth during the cooking process: You will be oiling the fries in a bowl and transferring them back and forth to the bowl to oil again. That is why I prefer tossing the potatoes in a bowl rather than the air fryer basket—it makes coating them in oil easier and helps prevent breakage.

Place the fries in a large bowl and toss them with oil and any additional seasonings. After the first toss with oil, transfer the fries to the air fryer basket for the initial cooking phase, and keep the bowl handy for later.

Step 5: Air Fry

Air fry for 10 minutes, return the fries to the bowl, and mix with the residual oil and salt left in the bowl. Every time you toss your french fries, you get that additional flavor from the residual oil and salt in the bowl. We want to regularly toss and redistribute the potatoes to get even cooking and browning. They should get darker in color after every toss.

Return the fries to the air fryer, increase the temperature to 400°F (204°C), and cook for another 10-15 minutes until crispy and golden. Toss in the bowl and mix every 5 minutes or so.

Alternatively, to tossing in the bowl every 5 minutes, you could cook a single layer of the potatoes in the basket.

How to Make Sweet Potato Fries

The process is almost the same, but here are a few tweaks:

• Cut sweet potatoes slightly thinner (¼-inch sticks work best).
• Toss with oil and optional cinnamon or smoked paprika.
• Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 10 minutes, shake, then cook at 400°F (204°C) for another 10 minutes.
• Serve with a sprinkle of sea salt or a drizzle of honey!

For more details, refer to this post: Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries

Serving Suggestions

Dipping Sauce Ideas

Ketchup is delicious, but pair your fries with these tasty dipping sauces for a new flavor:

• Ranch
• Garlic Aioli
• Spicy Sriracha Mayo
• Fry sauce (a mix of ketchup and mayo)
• BBQ Sauce
• Cheese Sauce

Serve these air fryer French fries alongside some of our favorite finger foods:

• Frozen Hamburgers in the Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Cheeseburger Crunch Wrap
• Easy Cheeseburger Sliders
• Chicken BLT Burrito in the Air Fryer
• Sweet and Spicy Hot Wings Recipe

Frequently Asked Questions

What potato makes the best French fry?

Russet potatoes are the best choice for crispy fries with a fluffy inside. Yukon gold potatoes are also a good option for a creamier texture.

Do you need to peel the potatoes first?

No, peeling is optional! Leaving the skins on gives a rustic texture and added nutrients. You can peel the potatoes if you prefer, but I like to keep the skins on. A good wash is all they need, and they still turn out delicious—plus, it saves me the extra step of peeling!

Why are my fries not crispy?

If your fries turn out soggy, make sure you’re:

• Soaking and dry them thoroughly before air frying.
• Not overcrowding the air fryer basket.
• Cook them at the right temperature and shake them halfway through.

How do you reheat fries to make them crispy again?

Reheat leftover fries in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes. This keeps them crispy and fresh— way better than microwaving!

Final Thoughts

Making crispy Air Fryer French Fries at home is easier than you think! You can enjoy restaurant-quality fries with less oil and all the crunch with just a few simple steps. Try them with different seasonings and dipping sauces, and don’t forget to experiment with sweet potato fries!

More ways to enjoy potatoes in the air fryer:

• The Perfect Air Fryer Potato Skins Recipe
• Stuffed Sweet Potato with Salsa and Beans
• Scalloped Potatoes in the Air Fryer
• Perfect Roasted Melting Potatoes
• Sausage, Potato, and Onion in the Air Fryer

Air fryer tips, tricks, hacks, and facts

• Air Fryer 101
• Learn these common Air Fryer Mistakes!
• All about the Best and Worst Air Fryer Accessories
• How to Clean Your Air Fryer
• How to Cook Any Recipe in the Air Fryer
• FREE Download → Air Fryer Tips & Temps
• Air Fryer Buying Guide
• Watch Fabulessly Frugal YouTube Channel for Air Fryer Recipes

The Best Air Fryer French Fries Recipe

Crispy, golden, and irresistibly delicious! These air fryer French fries are the perfect way to enjoy a healthier version of a classic favorite!

4.79 / 5 ( 23 Reviews )

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes minutes

Serves: 4

Adjust Servings: 4

US CustomaryMetric

Equipment

• Air Fryer
• Large bowl

Ingredients

• 1 ½ pounds russet potatoes washed and dried
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil divided
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• Cut potatoes lengthwise into ½-inch thick slices or planks, then slice the planks into ½-inch thick sticks for the fries.
• Place the potatoes in a medium or large bowl and add enough water to cover them. Drain and repeat until the water stays clear.
• Cover potatoes with hot tap water and let sit for 10 minutes. Drain water and pat potatoes dry with a clean lint-free towel.
• In a dry bowl, gently toss potatoes with 1 tablespoon oil. Transfer potatoes to air fryer basket. Set bowl aside for later. Cook at 350˚F/177˚C for 8 minutes.
• Dump potatoes into bowl and gently toss to redistribute. Return potatoes to air fryer and cook until softened and potatoes have turned from white to blond, 5-10 minutes.
• Transfer potatoes back to bowl and gently toss with remaining 1 tablespoon oil, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder. Return to air fryer and cook at 400˚F/204˚C, until golden brown and crisp, 15-20 minutes, tossing gently every 5 minutes to redistribute (it may be easier to quickly toss in the bowl than the basket).
• Transfer fries to a plate and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 195kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 7g | Sodium: 299mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g