Amazing Air Fryer French Fries

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Air Fryer French Fries have a perfectly crispy outside, tender inside, and are absolutely heavenly. Super easy to make, too! You won’t believe that these fries aren’t deep-fried are after you try one. They almost taste too good to be true!

Serve these delectable fries with Famous Fry Sauce, garlic aioli, Comeback Sauce, or for a kick, some Skillet Queso.  Then serve them up with Copycat Chick-fil-A Nuggets for a healthier twist on a fast food favorite made at home.

Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside air fryer french fries in the bottom of an air fryer basket.

The Best Air Fryer French Fries

If you don’t have an air fryer yet, I would almost recommend buying one just for these fries! French fries are one of my favorite snacks EVER and making them in the air fryer makes them even better! There is just something about a really great French fry that’s hard to beat. The fact that you can make the BEST fries right at home is just plain awesome. I don’t have to leave my home to get the most crispy, tender, and perfect fries anymore. Both your wallet and your health will thank you for making the change. (You won’t believe these aren’t deep-fried!)

These air fryer French fries are so good, you may only want to eat fries for dinner. (I don’t blame you if this is what you choose!) So be prepared to make enough. These will be so popular you may need to triple the recipe to have enough. My family always devours them in an instant!

A Reader’s Review

I’ve never been much of a fan of French Fries but experimenting with my Air Fryer your recipe looked interesting so tonight I tried it out. WOW, the taste was amazing. I do believe you’ve made an addict out of me. Didn’t think French Fries could taste this good. Thanks so much for posting your recipe. I’ll certainly be sharing it for others to enjoy.

Brenda

Air Fryer Fries Ingredients

Making these fries is a cinch. Just a few simple ingredients for fries that are both wholesome and delicious. A win-win! You’re never going to want to go back to deep-frying. Air fryers even work for other appetizers like egg rolls and onion rings! They’re seriously the best!

  • Potatoes: I like to use Russets for a fluffy texture on the inside.
  • OIive Oil: A heart-healthy oil that adds a bit of tasty, earthy flavor. Olive oil also helps your potatoes crisp up perfectly.
  • Italian Seasoning: Makes everything taste great. It’s my favorite blend of herbs!
  • Parmesan: So your air fryer French fries have a little melted cheesy goodness.
  • Salt and Pepper: All to taste!

How to Make French Fries in an Air Fryer

With just a fraction of the oil used in deep-frying, these are the ideal snack for anyone trying to eat healthier without sacrificing flavor! Give your loved ones the taste they crave with an appetizer that’s also heart healthy.

  1. Preheat Oven, Cut Potatoes: Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit. Then slice the potatoes using a fry cutter, or manually cut them into 1/4-inch strips.
  2. Rinse and Dry: Rinse the potato slices in cold water and then pat dry with a paper towel.
  3. Toss With Seasonings: Then in a medium-sized bowl toss with olive oil, Italian seasoning, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
  4. Air Fry: Place the fries into the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
  5. Toss, Continue Cooking: Toss the fries halfway through the cooking process so the fries get evenly cooked.
  6. Enjoy: Serve with ketchup, fry sauce, or your other favorite dipping sauce.

Work in Small Batches!

Getting the perfect crispiness means not over-crowding the air fryer. You may have to work in small batches because that’s essential to allow the air to circulate around all the potatoes.

Rinsing, cutting, and cooking the fries.

How Does an Air Fryer Make Them Crispy?

Similar to a convection oven, air fryers circulate hot air to cook the food. This process produces a crispy product without the added oil or extra calories of deep fat frying. It also cooks at a high speed, faster than a regular oven if you’re not already convinced! It’s compact and won’t heat your whole kitchen either. Plus, it won’t sacrifice flavor even though it slashes fat and calories. A total win.

Tips and Variations for Homemade French Fries

Delicious air fryer French fries made even better with these simple tips and variations:

  • Potatoes: Experiment with potato varieties. There are lots of different kinds of potatoes, each with unique properties. See which one you like best. Similarly, you can peel them or leave the peel on, however you like them!
  • Even Slices: Cut the potatoes evenly so they are all the same size. This way they will also cook more evenly.
  • Rinse or Soak: Whether you choose to just rinse your potatoes or soak them for up to 15 minutes, it’s important you don’t skip this step. It rinses some of the starch away allowing the potatoes to get nice and crispy. Just make sure you dry them really well, soggy potatoes equals soggy fries.
  • Spices: There are so many different spices to try: black pepper, smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, ranch seasoning, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder and rosemary, let your imagination run wild.

Storing Leftovers

Although they might not be as crispy as when they were freshly made, your fries will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days and 2 months in the freezer. Just make sure they’re in a sealed, airtight container or bag.

To Reheat: Bring refrigerated or frozen fries close to room temperature. Reheat at 425 degrees Fahrenheit in the oven or in the air fryer for about 5 minutes or until they are the texture and temperature you want. Then enjoy all over again with your favorite sauces! Fry sauce is always a good choice, but I have really been liking this copycat Cane’s sauce recently.

Air fryer French fries served on a black plate with a creamy dipping sauce.

More Easy & Delicious Fry Recipes to Try:

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  • Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit. Slice the potatoes using a fry cutter, or slice them into 1/4-inch strips.
  • Rinse the potato slices in cold water and pat dry with a paper towel.

  • In a medium-sized bowl toss with olive oil, Italian seasoning, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.

  • Place the fries into the basket of the air fryer in a single layer. Cook for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

  • Toss the fries halfway through the cooking process to ensure the fries get evenly cooked.

  • Serve with ketchup or fry sauce
Originally posted October 17, 2020
Updated on October 14, 2023

Calories: 127kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 3gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 336mgPotassium: 444mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 20IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 51mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.