The first time I attempted to cook French fries from scratch, several questions came up that I needed to answer before sharing this recipe with you.
For example:
- Which potatoes make the best French fries? Obviously, I had to try these with both Russet and gold potatoes. (Sweet potatoes are a different story, too.)
- Does soaking potatoes make crispier fries? I tried it both ways so I could taste test side by side.
- When it comes to cooking for a crowd, is the air fryer a good option? The answer is no. If you need to cook a large batch, make oven-baked fries instead.
You’ll find all of my research down below, plus the printable recipe so you can save this for later!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review
“These turned out perfectly!!!! Better than restaurant. Soo good. My 10 month old baby had her first “French fry” from this recipe (minus salt for her)!” – Erin
Air Fryer French Fries Ingredients
I tested these fries with both Russet and gold potatoes, and found that Russets make crispier fries. With that being said, I enjoyed both versions!
So use whichever potato variety you prefer.
A drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt are all you need, seasoning-wise, but a hint of garlic powder makes them taste even better. If you want to add paprika or black pepper, that works, too!
How to Make French Fries in an Air Fryer
Step 1:
Start by cutting the potatoes into 1/4-inch pieces. I like to cut the potato into thin slices, then cut them into skinnier pieces after that.
If you prefer thick-cut fries, cut them into 1/2-inch pieces instead. (This will take slightly longer to cook.)
Step 2: (Optional)
Most experts agree that soaking potatoes in cold water yields crispier fries. If you have time, go ahead and place the sliced potatoes in a bowl of ice water. Let them soak for 30 to 60 minutes to help remove excess starch.
This step is optional because you can still make tasty fries without soaking them. (I never soak potatoes for a weeknight meal; they are still delicious without this step.)
Soaking helps remove starch, allowing the potatoes to crisp up better. Once they are done soaking, drain and pat them dry.
Step 3:
Add the fries to a bowl and drizzle with olive oil, salt, and garlic powder. Toss well, then transfer to the basket of your air fryer.
Arrange the fries in a single layer, with no pieces touching each other. You will likely need to work in batches. (Don’t worry, you can reheat them all together right before serving for crispy hot fries.)
Step 4:
Cook at 375ºF for 10 minutes. Depending on how thinly you slice the fries, they might be done after this initial cooking cycle.
Shake the basket and test them for doneness. Fries that are 1/2-inch thick might need 2 to 4 more minutes in the air fryer before serving. Set the cooked fries aside and repeat the cooking process with the remaining batch.
Once all the fries have been cooked, you can return the first batch to the air fryer and cook for an additional two minutes. This way, you can serve all of the fries piping hot.
Storage Tips
Leftover fries can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Reheating Tip
To reheat French fries, add them to the air fryer basket and cook at 350ºF for 3 to 4 minutes. That should be sufficient to get them heated through again! There is no need to arrange them in a single layer for reheating.
- 1 pound Russet potatoes , scrubbed
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
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Slice the potatoes into sticks approximately ¼ inch thick. Optional step: Soak the potatoes in a bowl of cold water for 30 to 60 minutes. This helps remove some starch and makes them crisp up better, but they will still taste good if you skip this step. Drain and pat dry before moving on to the next step.
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Transfer the potatoes to a large bowl. Drizzle them with the olive oil, then season with the salt and garlic powder. Toss well to coat the potatoes.
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Arrange the seasoned potato slices in a single layer at the bottom of your air fryer basket. (I have to work in two batches with my basket-style air fryer.) The more separated the potatoes are, the crispier they will be.
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Cook the fries at 375ºF for 10 minutes, then check on them. Thinly sliced fries may be ready to eat at this point. Thicker fries may require an additional 3 to 5 minutes of cooking time. Cook until the fries are golden and crisp.
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Repeat with the remaining fries. When the second batch is done cooking, return all the cooked fries to the basket and cook for an additional two minutes to ensure they are piping hot.
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Serve warm right away, as the fries will get softer as they cool. If you ever need to reheat the fries, most air fryers have a 4-minute “reheat” button (set at 350°F) that will help them crisp up again.
Potato Note: You can use gold potatoes instead of Russets if you prefer. Gold potatoes tend not to crisp up as much as Russets, but they have very creamy interiors, so either potato variety will give you delicious results.
Sweet Potato Note: If you want to make sweet potato fries, see my Air Fryer Sweet Potato French Fries tutorial instead.
Calories: 80kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 3g | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 351mg | Fiber: 2g | Vitamin C: 9.7mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 2.8mg
More Recipes to Try
If you try these Air Fryer French Fries, please leave a comment below and let me know how you like them!
