Air Fryer French Fries Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (2024)

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If you’re craving hot crispy thick cut homemade fries but don’t want something that is greasy and deep fried, these flavorful Air Fryer French Fries are amazingly delicious! Just the right amount of olive oil and seasonings over freshly cut russet potatoes create the most delicious, melt-in-your-mouth, golden brown french fries.

Air Fryer French Fries Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (1)

Table of Contents

  • Why this recipe is so great:
  • Ingredients needed:
  • How to make Air Fryer French Fries:
  • Recipe tips for perfect results:
  • Serve this recipe with:
  • Air Fryer French Fries Recipe

Why this recipe is so great:

  • Less fat: That’s why we all use the air fryer, right? Instead of traditional deep fried french fries, air fryer french fries have the same great crispy texture with a fraction of the oil.
  • Unbelievable taste and texture: These fries have the perfect amount of seasoning on every bite. Each fry is crispy on the outside and melt-in-your-mouth on the inside.
  • Simple ingredients: Unlike frozen fries that you bake, there are never any surprises when you cook from scratch.

Ingredients needed:

Exact quantities are listed in the recipe card below, but here is a summary.

  • Russet potatoes: Other potatoes can be used, but russets offer the best flavor and texture.
  • Oil: Olive oil is my preferred oil when making air fryer french fries, but something like avocado oil works great too.
  • Seasonings: Garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt are all you need. To take these fries to the next level, you must use Jacobsen Rosemary Salt – I’m absolutely obsessed with this. Not only are their products local to me, but they are outstanding.
Air Fryer French Fries Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (2)

How to make Air Fryer French Fries:

Detailed step by step instructions are listed in the recipe card below, but here is a summary.

  1. Clean potatoes: Scrub off dirt and remove any eyes. I highly recommend using this Veggie & Fruit Scrub Cloth.
  2. Cut: Slice potatoes into fry shapes. My rule of thumb is to keep them no thicker than your pinky finger.
  3. Soak: Do not skip this step. Soaking the potatoes in the cold water not only removes excess starch, but it helps the inside of the fries steam while they cook. This will create the best taste and texture once they’re cooked in the air fryer.
  4. Season: Toss the potatoes with oil and seasoning in a large bowl to coat.
  5. Air fry: Arrange fries in a single layer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, they will need to be cooked in at least two batches. 20 minutes with a shake half way through and they’re done.
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Recipe tips for perfect results:

  • Plan ahead: Since fries need to be cooked in a single layer and this recipe makes a lot, they will need to be cooked in batches. Since each batch takes 20 minutes, these will most likely take a minimum of 40 minutes to make (longer if you have a small air fryer).
  • Storage and reheating: Store any leftover fries in an air-tight container in the refrigerator and consume within 4-6 days. To reheat, just place in air fryer basket and cook at 400°F until heated through.
Air Fryer French Fries Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (9)

Serve this recipe with:

  • Burgers: What’s a delicious fry without an amazing burger? Make a Stuffed Bacon Jalapeno Cheddar Burger, Spicy Southwestern Turkey Burgers, or my favorite World’s Greatest Hamburger.
  • Fry Sauce: Sure, ketchup will work just fine, but take these air fryer french fries to the next level with Southwestern Fry Sauce or Bacon Jalapeno Fry Sauce.
  • Aioli: If you want to be extra decadent, dip the fries into homemade Basil Garlic Aioli, Chipotle Aioli, or Green Chile Aioli.
Air Fryer French Fries Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (10)

Note: The model of air fryer I used for this recipe was the Breville Smart Oven. Although each model air fryer cooking in a similar manner, basket sizes and cooking times may vary greatly from model to model.

If you’ve made this or any other recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out. I love hearing from my readers!

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If you're craving hot crispy thick cut homemade fries but don't want something that is greasy and deep fried, these flavorful Air Fryer French Fries are amazingly delicious! Just the right amount of olive oil and seasonings over freshly cut russet potatoes create the most delicious, melt-in-your-mouth, golden brown french fries.

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Ingredients

  • 3 pounds russet potatoes (skin scrubbed to remove dirt but not peeled)
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon sea salt (highly recommend Jacobsen Salt Co. Rosemary salt, can also use kosher salt as a substitution)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

Soak the potatoes:

  • Slice the potatoes into long strips that are 1/4" to 1/2" thick.

    Air Fryer French Fries Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (12)

  • Place in large bowl of cold water for a minimum of 30 minutes, or as long as overnight if kept refrigerated.

    Air Fryer French Fries Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (13)

Cook the fries:

  • Preheat air fryer to 385°F.

  • Drain and rinse the potatoes. Pat dry with a paper towel to remove any excess water. Transfer to a clean bowl and toss with remaining ingredients.

    Air Fryer French Fries Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (14)

  • Add potatoes to the air fryer basket and arrange so that they are in a single layer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, this will need to cook in multiple batches.

    Air Fryer French Fries Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (15)

  • Place basket in preheated air fryer and plan to cook for 20 minutes, shaking the basket well to shift them around after the first 10 minutes. Note: If you sliced the fries thin, they will cook faster, so keep an eye on them. When they are mostly golden brown, remove from air fryer and transfer to a clean bowl. Repeat with remaining batches.

  • Once all the fries are done, you can add all of them back to the air fryer basket and continue cooking for a couple of minutes so that they are all hot and crispy prior to serving.

Notes

Nutritional information based on a half pound of potatoes (uncooked weight) per person – a rather large serving.

  • Plan ahead: Since fries need to be cooked in a single layer and this recipe makes a lot, they will need to be cooked in batches. Since each batch takes 20 minutes, these will most likely take a minimum of 40 minutes to make (longer if you have a small air fryer).
  • Storage and reheating: Store any leftover fries in an air-tight container in the refrigerator and consume within 4-6 days. To reheat, just place in air fryer basket and cook at 400°F until heated through.

Nutrition

Calories: 244kcal, Carbohydrates: 42g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Sodium: 1175mg, Potassium: 960mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 166IU, Vitamin C: 13mg, Calcium: 31mg, Iron: 2mg

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

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Air Fryer French Fries Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (16)

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Air Fryer French Fries Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (2024)

FAQs

Air Fryer French Fries Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie? ›

Soaking the potatoes does something magical with the starches—it helps achieve the coveted French fry crispiness and prevents the fries from sticking together. This is what I did for the air fryer, too. I soaked these potatoes for about an hour or so, but I've also soaked them for up to 24 hours with no ill effect.

Why soak fries before air frying? ›

Soaking the potatoes does something magical with the starches—it helps achieve the coveted French fry crispiness and prevents the fries from sticking together. This is what I did for the air fryer, too. I soaked these potatoes for about an hour or so, but I've also soaked them for up to 24 hours with no ill effect.

Why don t my fries get crispy in air fryer? ›

It's essential that you spread the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket and that you leave a little space between each one. If they're too crowded, the potatoes will steam inside the air fryer, and they won't get crispy. In order to give them adequate space, you'll likely need to work in batches.

How to cook French fries in a Paula Deen air fryer? ›

Spray potatoes with oil and place in air fryer basket in a single layer. Do not overcrowd. Set temperature to 320 degrees, and air fry for 10 minutes, to remove moisture. Shake basket, spray potatoes with oil, and sprinkle with salt.

How do you crisp up french fries in an air fryer? ›

Simply set your air fryer to 350 degrees, then place your leftover fries in a single layer in the fryer basket. Heat them for three to five minutes or until they reach your desired crispiness. Just like with the oven method, make sure you don't crowd the air fryer basket so the fries get nice and crispy.

What happens if you don't soak potatoes for fries? ›

A: The main reasons to cut the potatoes and pre-soak in water are: To allow the excess starches and sugars to be removed from the outer surface of the fry strips AND to keep the potatoes from browning prematurely from exposure to air. Covering in water helps the potato from turning a dark color.

How long should I soak potatoes for fries? ›

If you're pressed for time, the slightly sticky, cut potatoes should be soaked for a minimum of 15 minutes. However, a longer soak time may allow more starch to be removed. So, if you can prep the fries ahead of time, a few hours of soaking can help make them even crispier.

Can you use pam for french fries in air fryer? ›

It is not recommended to use non-stick sprays on an air fryer basket because they can potentially damage the non-stick coating on the basket and release harmful chemicals when heated. Instead, you can use a small amount of oil, such as olive or avocado oil, to lightly coat the basket before cooking.

How do you keep fries from drying out in an air fryer? ›

Make sure the fries are not completely packed together so that the air has plenty of room to circulate. Cook the fries for 5 minutes. Slide the basket out and use tongs to toss the fries. Return to the air fryer and continue cooking for 3 to 7 additional minutes, until crispy and golden brown.

What does cornstarch do to fries? ›

Corn Starch: Adding a thin coating of corn starch to the potato fries before frying can help create a crispier exterior. When the corn starch comes into contact with the hot oil, it forms a barrier that traps moisture within the potato while also developing a crunchy crust.

Does baking soda make fries crispy? ›

The baking soda is clutch, as it alkalizes the water/potatoes and contributes to the crunch effect.

Should you thaw french fries before air frying? ›

No need to thaw — that's one of the reasons I love to air fry frozen French fries! Just like in the oven, you can cook them straight from the freezer. The difference is that they are ready in about half the time!

Should I soak my potatoes before air frying? ›

Soaking: A Crispy Essential

While it may seem like a pain, soaking the potatoes in hot water for 10 minutes prior to cooking them in the air fryer is essential.

Is it better to soak fries before frying? ›

This step is commonly missed in making homemade fries, but it might be one of the most important! Soaking your fries in cold water helps remove excess starch, which allows for crispy, golden fries! The cold water bath also helps the french fries retain their shape and contributes to a fluffy inside.

Should homemade fries be soaked in water? ›

Take a large bowl and soak the potatoes in cold water. Make sure that you soak the potatoes for at least 2-3 hours. Soaking the sliced potatoes in cold water is one of the main steps to prepare perfect French Fries. The cold water removes the starch present outside the potatoes so that you get perfectly crispy fries.

Why do you soak fries in salt water? ›

There's moisture naturally found in potatoes, and moisture is drawn to higher concentrations of salt. (This is a process called osmosis.) So, if you put the potatoes in a salt water bath, that will help draw out some of their moisture, resulting in crispier fries.

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