Homemade Air Fryer French Fries are easy and made with a fraction of the fat and calories. Russet potatoes are sliced, tossed with olive oil, salt and pepper and fried in your counter top air-fryer until golden and crispy! Recipe yields 4 servings.
If you’re looking for a reason to get an air fryer, I have two words for you:
French. Fries.
In this recipe, russet potatoes are cut into typical French fry shape, sprayed with olive oil and seasoned with salt and pepper or any other seasoning you desire. Then off to the air fryer and in under 20 minutes, you’ll have deliciously crispy fries ready to dip in ketchup (or ranch).
These freshly made french fries are made lighter and healthier in the air fryer, and I can promise you that equally as addictive as their deep-fried counterpart.
To Make These Homemade Air Fryer French Fries You Will Need:
- russet potatoes – I try to find short squatty potatoes to avoid overly long French fries.
- olive oil spray – May also substitute with avocado oil or ghee oil spray.
- kosher salt – Enhances the flavor of the fries.
- freshly ground black pepper – This is optional, however will add some subtle bite and flavor.
- additional seasonings (optional) – Use spices like garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne or all-purpose seasoning salt or old bay seasoning.
Scrub 1 to 1-1/2 pound russet potatoes and pat dry with a kitchen towel. Slice the potato into 1/4-inch thick slices.
Then cut each slice into 1/4-inch sticks or fries.
NOTE: If you have time you can always soak your potatoes before air-frying. Otherwise move on to the next step.
How To get Cripier French Fries?
Soak the fries in a bowl filled with cold water for 30 minutes or up to 24 hours. If soaking for longer than 2 hours, I personally would refrigerate. Simply drain and then use a clean kitchen towel pat them dry before tossing in oil and any seasonings. This is optional and will add extra time, but can be skipped if crunched for time.
Why Is It Important to Soak Potatoes in Water When Making French Fries?
Believe it or not, soaking in water will remove the starch from the potato/fries. This in turn will then help the fries crisp up even more. The starch in the potatoes that hangs onto moisture/water and is why potatoes are soggy when baked! I also notice my fries don’t burn as easily when I soak them, due to having less starch I presume. When you go to drain the potatoes/fries you will see that the water is cloudy and starchy looking.
Add the potatoes to a large mixing bowl and mist with olive oil spray until evenly coated. Season with a few pinches kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Preheat your air-fryer to 350℉ (or 180℃).
What Is Air Frying?
- An air fryer is a counter top appliance that requires less oil (anything from a few spritz to 1 tablespoon) yet produces crispy food that rivals most deep fried foods. By using circulating hot air, it moves at a high speed so the food tends to cook in a fraction of the time.
- There are a bunch of different makes and models of air fryers. My husband did the research (as he’s known to do) and found this air fryer [affiliate] to be one of the best. But do your research and purchase one that fits your lifestyle.
How is Air Frying Healthier?
- Air frying is healthier because only a thin layer of oil coats the food and when the hot air comes in contact it will crisp. Saving you a ton of fat and calories (without sacrificing any flavor!) because food is not being submerged in a vat of hot oil.
- Keep in mind, not all air fryers are equal. Some preheat and some do not. Some are smaller than others therefore you may need to work in smaller batches to air fry.
For more Air Fryer recipes, click here for my growing collection.
Once preheated, add the potatoes in somewhat of an even layer in the basket of your air fryer and air fry for 9 minutes.
After the 9 minutes, shake the fries and air fry for another 6 to 9 minutes, depending on how done you want the exterior of your fries. I like the 6 to 7 mark.
Note that the smaller fries will be done before the bigger ones so remove those to avoid burning. When the fries are done, transfer them to a wire rack and repeat with any remaining potatoes.
Before serving, add the fries back into the air fry and reheat for 2 minutes or until hot. If you’re wondering why there’s so many fries, I made a triple batch 🙊
There’s a restaurant chain called Bagger Dave’s. Besides having the some of best burgers (and chipotle sauce), they also make really good fries. And to me, these homemade air fryer French fries tastes JUST like them!
Crispy and so addictively good!
There’s good reason why I make a triple batch. These go fast!
Enjoy! And if you give this Homemade Air Fryer French Fries recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!
Crispy Air Fryer French Fries
Ingredients
- 1 pound russet potatoes, sliced 1/4-inch thick strips
- olive oil spray, avocado oil or ghee oil
- kosher salt, to taste
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Equipment
Instructions
- Meanwhile, sliced the potatoes into 1/4-inch slices and then cut each slice into 1/4-inch strips. (see notes)
- In a large bowl, add the potato "fries" and spray with oil until coated evenly. Toss with a few pinches kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Preheat your air-fryer to 350℉ (or 180℃).
- Use tongs to arrange the potates in the bottom of your air-fryers basket.
- Air-fry for 9 minutes, shake the basket and rearrange the potatoes in a single layer*. Continue air-frying for 6 to 9 minutes more. You may need to work in 2 separate batches.
- Transfer the crispy fries to a wire rack set before repeating. Note: The smaller fries might be done after the first 9 minutes or halfway through the second set of 9 minutes. Check often to avoid burning.
- Once all the fries are brown, throw them back into the air fryer and reheat for 1 to 2 minutes.
Notes
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Have you seen the new lid that goes on an Instant Pot to make it an air fryer? I’m super considering getting it now that I see all of your recipes for the AF. Fries are my weakness!
I have! But I must confess, while I do have an instant pot… it’s been in the box since I go it. :/
Could the same concept be used w/sweet potatoes? Same time, etc?
Hi Pam! Here’s the link to my Air-fryer sweet potato fries! Enjoy!
I made these with a garlic aioli! Yummy