Simple Crispy Air Fryer French Fries

Crispy, golden, and packed with flavor, these homemade fries are easy to make and endlessly customizable.

Using simple pantry ingredients, this recipe delivers perfectly seasoned fries with a crispy exterior and fluffy center.

Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 8

Here’s a great video that shows how to make crispy Air-fryer French Fries.

Why You’ll Love Making It

• Restaurant Quality at Home: Achieve that perfectly golden, crispy exterior and light, fluffy interior you crave from your favorite restaurant, but in a much healthier way.
• Simple & Foolproof: With just a few common ingredients and straightforward steps, this recipe is perfect for beginners. We’ll walk you through the secrets to success.
• Healthier Indulgence: Using significantly less oil than deep-frying, the air fryer makes these fries a guilt-free pleasure you can enjoy any time.
• Endlessly Customizable: While the classic salt and pepper is fantastic, you can easily switch up the seasonings to create your own signature fries.

Ingredients

• 3 large Russet potatoes: Russet potatoes are the best choice for classic french fries. Their high starch content and low moisture result in a crispy outside and a fluffy inside. Yukon Gold potatoes can also be used for a creamier, more buttery flavor.
• 1 tablespoon olive oil: Just enough to help the fries crisp up and turn golden. You can also use avocado oil or another high-smoke-point oil.
• 1 teaspoon salt: Essential for flavor. Adjust to your preference.
• ½ teaspoon black pepper: For a touch of mild spice.
• 1 teaspoon paprika: Adds a beautiful color and a subtle smoky flavor.
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder: For a savory, aromatic kick.
• ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper: Optional to add a little bit of spice.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes

First, scrub the potatoes thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt. Since the skin adds texture and nutrients, peeling is optional. Using a sharp knife or a mandolin, cut the potatoes into uniform ¼-inch thick sticks. Making sure the fries are all the same size is crucial for even cooking.

Step 2: The Secret to Crispy Fries – Soaking

Place the cut potatoes into a large bowl and cover them completely with cold water. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes, though several hours is even better. This essential step removes excess starch, which prevents the fries from sticking together and is the key to making them incredibly crispy.

Step 3: Dry the Potatoes Thoroughly

Drain the water from the bowl. Spread the soaked potatoes on a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and pat them until they are completely dry. Any remaining moisture will turn to steam in the air fryer, preventing the fries from getting crispy.

Step 4: Season Generously

Return the dry potatoes to the empty bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Toss everything together until each fry is evenly coated.

Step 5: Air Fry to Perfection

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Place the seasoned fries in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Cooking in a single layer allows the hot air to circulate freely, which is vital for achieving crispiness. You will likely need to cook in 2-3 batches.

Cook for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to promote even browning. Cooking times can vary depending on your air fryer model, so start checking them at the 12-minute mark. The fries are done when they are golden brown and crispy on the outside.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Once all batches are cooked, you can toss them all back into the air fryer for 1-2 minutes to ensure they are all hot. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces like ketchup, aioli, or BBQ sauce.

FAQs

Why aren’t my air fryer fries crispy?
The most common reasons for soggy fries are not soaking them to remove starch, not drying them completely after soaking, or overcrowding the air fryer basket, which causes them to steam instead of fry.

Do I have to soak the potatoes?
While you can skip this step if you’re short on time, soaking is highly recommended. It draws out excess starch, resulting in a significantly crispier fry with a better texture.

Can I freeze homemade fries for later?
Yes. After soaking and drying the cut potatoes, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. They can be cooked in the air fryer directly from frozen, just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

How do I reheat leftover fries?
The air fryer is perfect for reviving leftover fries! Preheat it to 350°F (175°C) and cook the fries for 3-5 minutes, or until they are heated through and crispy again.