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While a bag of frozen French fries can be convenient to reheat, it’s hard to beat homemade French fries in the air fryer! They’re made with less oil and won’t heat up your whole kitchen like the oven does.
To make crispy, relatively healthy French fries, you need only a potato, a drizzle of olive oil, and your favorite seasonings. You prepare them exactly like you would oven-baked French fries, but the air fryer cooks them faster.
Bonus: Make your own healthy ketchup as a dipping sauce.
How to Make French Fries in Air Fryer
Step 1:
The key to getting ultra-crispy french fries is to soak the cut potatoes in water for 10 minutes, to help remove some of their starch content. This helps the centers get tender, and the outsides get crispy!
The air fryer does an exceptional job of helping the process along, though, so if you don’t have time to soak your sliced potatoes, it’s not a deal-breaker when you use the air fryer. They really do get crispy regardless!
I tested them both ways, just to be sure. (On busy weeknights, I always skip the soaking process.)
Step 2:
If you soaked the fries, be sure to dry them well, then toss with a drizzle of olive oil and your favorite seasonings. I use garlic powder and salt to keep things easy.
Step 3:
Arrange the seasoned potato slices in a single layer in the air fryer. Don’t try to make more fit, or they will end up soggy!
Cook the fries at 375ºF for 10 minutes, then shake the basket to help them cook evenly. Return the basket to the air fryer to cook for 5 more minutes, or until the fries are golden and crisp.
I usually have to cook these in two batches, but you can throw them all in together at the end to ensure that the fries are piping hot when you serve them.
Reheating Tip
Anytime you need to re-heat French fries, add them to the air fryer basket and cook at 350ºF for 3 to 4 minutes. That should be sufficient to get them heated through again! There is no need to arrange them in a single layer for reheating.
Looking for more air fryer recipes? Try air fryer potatoes, baked potatoes, or air fryer chicken.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes , scrubbed
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375ºF, then slice the potatoes into french fry shapes, about 1/4-inch thick. Place the raw potato slices in a bowl of warm water and let them rest for 10 minutes.
- Drain the potatoes, pat dry, and place them in a large bowl. Drizzle them with the olive oil, then season with the salt and garlic powder. Toss well to coat the potatoes.
- Arrange the seasoned potato slices on the bottom of your air fryer basket, in a single layer, if possible. (I have to do this in 2 batches with my basket-style air fryer.) The more separated the potatoes, the crispier they will be.
- Cook the fries at 375ºF for 10 minutes, then shake the basket to help them cook evenly. Return the basket to the air fryer to cook for 5 more minutes, or until the fries are golden and crisp.
- Serve warm right away, as the fries will get softer as they cool. If you ever need to reheat the fries, most air fryers have a 4-minute "reheat" button that will help them crisp up again!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
If you try these Air Fryer French Fries, please leave a comment below and let me know how you like them!
I am going to try these right now, will let know how they turn out!!
This is a very easy recipe. My kids love air fryer French fries! Megan’s ideas are awesome.
Thank you for the air fryer chip recipe for vortex air fryer . Which setting do I use air fryer or roast ?
These turned out great. Crispy, less greasy, delicious. Thank you for another amazing recipe!
Oh, I forgot to mention, small batches of presoaked-dried Yukon gold for about 13 mins turned out perfectly for us. (Ninja air fryer)
These turned out perfectly!!!! Better than restaurant. Soo good. My 10 month old baby had her first “French fry” from this recipe (minus salt for her)!