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How to Make Homemade French Fries in the Air Fryer
Recipe Snapshot
PREP + COOK TIME: 40 minutes
METHOD: Air fryer
OTHER TOOLS: potato peeler
TOTAL INGREDIENTS: 3
If you love crispy French fries, but not the greasy mess or the drive-through, you have to try this method! Homemade French fries in the air fryer are simple, made-from-scratch, and of course, crispy and crunchy. Season them however you love and serve with all the dipping sauces!
What’s To Love About This Recipe
- When I was a kid, my mom would drag out the deep fryer to make homemade French fries – with a lot of effort and a lot of mess! Now, thanks to the air fryer, you can get perfectly crispy French fries with minimal oil.
- These crispy, homemade French fries are easier than you might think! The air fryer develops a golden-brown exterior with delicious flavor.
- This recipe uses simple ingredients you likely already have. The air fryer works its magic to develop the flavor and crisp up the potatoes!
- These fries are healthier than deep-frying and tastier than frozen.
- Homemade fries are easy to customize with seasonings and delicious with dipping sauces.
- Make a quick and easy side dish from scratch for burgers, wraps, or sandwiches!
Ingredients Needed
- Russet potatoes – Russet potatoes work best for crispiness since they have lower water content and more starch than other varieties. The peel is also thin enough to be enjoyed left on the French fries, if preferred.
- Avocado oil – Avocado oil helps the fries crisp up nicely, but it doesn’t add a strong oil flavor. I prefer using avocado oil for its high smoke point which browns the fries without burning them too quickly.
- All-purpose seasoning – All-purpose seasoning or seasoned salt are great options, and you can also go with just plain sea salt or even add flavors such as ranch seasoning.
How To Make Homemade French Fries In The Air Fryer
- Scrub the potatoes and peel as much of the skin as desired.
- Cut potatoes into about 4 slices lengthwise, each about 1/4 inch thick.
- Cut each slice into 2-3 pieces about 1/2 inch wide.
- As an optional step (but recommended for crispiness), soak the potatoes in a large bowl of water for at least a few minutes up to 30 minutes to remove excess starch. Drain and pat completely dry.
- Toss the potato slices with avocado oil and seasoning in a large bowl.
- Add the potatoes to the air fryer and set to 380 ℉ for 20-25 minutes. Shake the basket and check on them at least twice during cooking, until cooked through and crispy on the outside.
- Serve French fries with ketchup or as desired.
Pro Tips
- Cut the fries into uniform sizes for even cooking.
- I recommend soaking the potatoes in cold water for 30 minutes to remove starch and increase crispiness. This also helps to prevent sticking in the air fryer.
- Dry the fries thoroughly before air-frying to prevent sogginess.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket, and cook in batches if needed for the best texture. Give the basket a shake or two throughout cooking to crisp evenly.
- It’s up to you if you want to leave the skin on the potatoes or not. I like to partially peel them, leaving a small amount of skin left on the potatoes.
- Thin, shoestring-cut fries will take somewhere around 10 minutes, while thicker steak fries can take up to 25 minutes. Regardless of the thickness, stay close by to keep an eye on them so that they don’t burn.
- Keep finished fries warm on a tray in a 200 ℉ oven while the remaining batches cook.
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Use Yukon Gold or sweet potatoes for a different flavor, and peel them as preferred.
- Olive oil will also work if you have that on hand. Change up the recipe by using flavored olive oils if you like.
- Swap out different seasonings to complement your main dish. For ideas, try:
- Garlic powder
- Cajun Seasoning
- Paprika
- Ranch seasoning
- Parmesan and herbs
How To Serve Homemade French Fries
What better meal to serve homemade French fries with than a juicy homemade burger?
Whether it’s Frozen Burgers In The Air Fryer, The Best Grilled Turkey Burgers, grilled sandwiches, wraps, or Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Tenders, they’re all made even better with a side of crispy fries.
Add a fresh salad or fruit to complete a homestyle meal. And don’t forget your dipping sauces! Don’t stop with just ketchup – try these options for tasty dipping:
- Ranch dressing (or Easy Dairy Free Ranch)
- Garlic aioli
- Sriracha Mayo
- Honey mustard
Storing and Reheating
How To Best Store Leftovers
Fridge
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. (Freezing is not recommended due to texture loss.)
How To Best Reheat Leftovers
To reheat, place in the air fryer again at 375 ℉ for 3-5 minutes or until hot and crispy.
Air Fryer French Fries
If you love crispy French fries, but not the greasy mess or the drive-through, you have to try this method! Homemade French fries in the air fryer are simple, made-from-scratch, and of course, crispy and crunchy. Season them however you love and serve with all the dipping sauces!
Equipment
- Potato peeler (optional)
Ingredients
- 2 pounds russet potatoes
- 1/4 cup avocado oil
- 2 teaspoon all purpose seasoning
Instructions
- Scrub potatoes and peel as much of the skin as desired.
- Cut potatoes into about 4 slices lengthwise, each about 1/4 inch thick.
- Cut each slice into 2-3 pieces about 1/2 inch wide.
- Optional: To get crispier French fries, soak potatoes in a large bowl of water for at least a few minutes up to 30 minutes to remove excess starch. Drain and pat completely dry.
- Toss potato slices with avocado oil and seasoning in a large bowl.
- Add potatoes to air fryer and set to 380 ℉ for 20-25 minutes. Shake the basket and check on them at least twice during cooking, until cooked through and crispy on the outside.
- Serve French fries with ketchup or as desired.
Notes
- Store leftover fries in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 375 ℉ for 3-5 minutes until hot and crispy.
- Cut the fries into uniform sizes for even cooking.
- Peeling the potatoes is up to your preference. I like to leave a small amount of skin on.
- Soak potatoes in cold water for 30 minutes to remove excess starch, boost crispiness, and prevent sticking to the basket.
- Dry the fries thoroughly before air-frying to prevent sogginess.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket and cook in batches if needed.
- Shake the basket a few times during cooking for even crisping, and stay nearby to prevent any burning.
- Thinner fries will cook faster, and thicker fries can take up to 25 minutes.
- Keep the cooked fries warm on a tray in a 200 ℉ oven while other batches cook.
Great recipe, will try it out. First time on our new air fryer the fries did not come out well. Some were cooked and some were semi raw, hopefully they will be better this time around, thank you !!
Just make sure to give them plenty of space and cook in batches if needed. Shake often for even cooking. Let me know how your next batch turns out!