If you love crispy, golden French fries but don’t want to deep-fry them in a large amount of oil, these Air Fryer French Fries are the perfect solution. They’re easy to prepare, use just a small amount of oil, and come out beautifully golden and crispy.
The key is to cut the potatoes evenly, remove excess starch, dry them thoroughly, and avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.
Food Network
Ingredients
4 medium Russet potatoes
1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder, optional
½ teaspoon paprika, optional
Cooking spray, optional
Instructions
- Prepare the potatoes
Wash and peel the potatoes, then cut them into thin, evenly sized French-fry sticks. - Soak the potatoes
Place the cut potatoes in a large bowl of cold water and let them soak for 20–30 minutes. This helps remove excess starch and can give the fries a crispier texture.
Food Network +1 - Dry thoroughly
Drain the potatoes and pat them completely dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. This step is important because excess moisture can prevent the fries from becoming crispy. - Season
Place the dry potatoes in a large bowl. Add the oil, salt, black pepper, garlic powder and paprika. Toss until the fries are evenly coated. - Air fry
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) if your model requires preheating.
Place the fries in the basket in a relatively even layer. Avoid overcrowding; cook in batches if necessary.
Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for about 15 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes so the fries cook and brown evenly.
Cuisinart - Serve
When the fries are golden and crispy, remove them from the air fryer. Taste and add a little more salt if needed.
Serve immediately with ketchup, garlic sauce, ranch dressing, or your favorite dipping sauce.
Tips for Extra-Crispy Fries
Use Russet potatoes, which are relatively high in starch and work well for fries.
Tornadough Alli
Don’t skip the drying step.
Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket.
Shake the basket during cooking for more even browning.
If the fries aren’t crispy enough after 15 minutes, cook them for a few additional minutes, checking frequently.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Soaking Time: 20–30 minutes
Cook Time: About 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Pro tip: For the crispiest result, make sure the fries are completely dry before adding the oil and seasoning.