These air fryer french fries are potatoes cut into sticks and coated with oil and seasonings, then air fried to crispy brown perfection. A great way to get crunchy and delicious french fries without actually using a deep fryer!
My family adores french fries, and I satisfy their cravings with homemade versions such as baked potato wedges, sweet potato fries and these air fryer fries.
There’s nothing better than savory, crispy french fries, especially when paired with a steak or a juicy burger. These air fryer french fries have that same great restaurant style flavor, but with a lot less oil and mess. Best of all, they’re simple to make and always get rave reviews! For more great air fryer ideas, check out my listing of 10 Air Fryer Recipes. Pair your fries with homemade corn dogs or crispy falafel for a fabulous meal.
How do you make air fryer french fries?
First, cut your potatoes into sticks and place them in a bowl of cold water. Soaking the potatoes allows them to release any excess starch, which makes for crispier fries. After the potatoes have soaked, pat them dry with paper towels. Toss the potatoes in vegetable oil and seasonings, then place them in a single layer in the air fryer. Cook the fries until they are golden brown and crispy. Serve immediately with any dipping sauces that you like.
How to cut french fries
In my opinion, the easiest and fastest way to cut french fries is to use a french fry cutter tool. These types of kitchen gadgets come in all different sizes and prices, but you can get a decent fry cutter for not much money. The other option is to cut the potatoes horizontally into even slices, then cut down those slices to make similar sized potato matchsticks. You can cut your potatoes into thick or thin fries, but this recipe assumes you’re using fries that are about 3/8 to 1/2 inch thick. Larger fries will take longer to cook.
Tips for the perfect fries
- I recommend using Russet potatoes, as they will give you that classic french fry taste and texture. Yukon Gold potatoes will also work, but they are quite different in taste and texture than Russets.
- It’s up to you whether you peel the potatoes or leave them with the peels on. I typically leave mine unpeeled because it’s less work, and adds a little extra color and texture.
- Try to slice your fries into similar sized pieces so that they all cook through at the same rate.
- Be sure to thoroughly dry your potatoes after they come out of the water. Leftover water droplets will cause the potatoes to steam in the air fryer, which can result in softer fries.
- It’s important to keep the fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket. If you pile them on top of each other they’ll steam and they won’t crisp up properly. If you can’t fit all the fries into the air fryer at once, you may want to cook them in smaller batches.
- I serve my air fryer french fries with ketchup, ranch, fry sauce, or choose your own favorite sauce.
How long do you cook frozen french fries in an air fryer?
Frozen french fries may take longer to cook than fresh potatoes as this recipe calls for. If you’re using a bag of frozen fries, they will cook at 400 degrees F for about 20 minutes, although it can sometimes take 25 minutes depending on the size of the fries.
Flavor Variations
This recipe makes a basic version of air fryer french fries, but you can spice things up by adding different spices and toppings to the mix!
- Garlic Lover’s Fries: Prepare the fries according to recipe instructions. Cook 1 tablespoon of fresh minced garlic in 2 tablespoons of melted butter on the stove over medium heat. Stir in 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, plus salt snd pepper to taste. Drizzle the garlic butter mixture over the fries, then sprinkle with parmesan and serve.
- Taco Fries: Toss the fries in 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning before they go into the air fryer. Add a sprinkling of cheddar cheese during the last 3 minutes, then sprinkle with cilantro and serve.
- Cajun Fries: Season the fries with 1-2 teaspoons of Cajun spice blend. To make Cajun spice, combine one teaspoon each of garlic powder, paprika and salt and a half teaspoon each of black pepper, cayenne pepper, onion powder, dried oregano and dried thyme.
- Cheesy Fries: Cook the fries according to the recipe, then add 3/4 of shredded cheese over the fries during the last 3 minutes of the cooking time. Sprinkle with parsley, then serve.
I make these air fryer french fries at least once a week, my kids go crazy for them! I hope your family enjoys this recipe as much as mine does.
More great ways to enjoy potatoes
- Funeral Potatoes
- Oven Roasted Potatoes
- Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Smashed Potatoes with Garlic and Herbs
- Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes
Air Fryer French Fries Video
Air Fryer French Fries
Ingredients
- 3 medium Russet potatoes scrubbed and cut into 3/8 inch wide pieces
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Place the potato sticks in a bowl of cold water. Let the potatoes soak in the water for 30 minutes, then drain and pat dry with paper towels.
- Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F.
- Place the potatoes in a large bowl and add the vegetable oil, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper.
- Stir well until the potatoes are coated in the oil and spices.
- Spread the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer; you may need to work in batches. Cook for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through the time, or cook for longer if needed until golden brown and crispy.
- Sprinkle with parsley and serve.
Perfect fries! Crispy and yummy.
Wow! The most fantastic french fries!
Served these with dinner and they couldn’t have been easier! Love that I didn’t need to use a deep fryer to get the same great taste! Delicious!
No more deep frying french fries. This air fryer version is my favorite one. Though I have to say, I tried a few recipes before but none of them were well seasoned. Yours is different. The addition of various spices takes it to a new level making it addictive.
Well done.
My favorite french fries! So easy and crispy and yummy!
These are so crispy!! My family loved them!
This was the first time I made French fries in the air fryer, and it will be the way that I make them going forward! It was so easy, and the fries were perfectly crispy on the outside. I’m never frying French fries again!
I love the herbs and spices on these fries – in fact, I am going to make them this way from now on! What a terrific recipe!
I love french fries but I always deep fry them or make them in the oven. I can’t wait to try this air fryer recipe!
These fries are better than the ones at most restaurants! And so much healthier. This is the only way we’ll be making fries now. Thank you!
We usually put frozen fries in the air fryer, but haven’t done them from scratch like this. I love how this is a much healthier option.
I didn’t think it was possible to make french fries at home that actually tasted good and had the perfect french fry texture, but I was wrong! These are SO good and definitely satisfy that french fry craving!