Air Fryer French Fries
Want restaurant-style crunch at home? These easy air fryer French fries use just 1 teaspoon of oil and a simple cold-water soak for maximum crispiness every time!
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Want restaurant-style French fries at home without heating up a giant pot of oil? These crispy air fryer French fries give you that golden, crunch-outside, fluffy-inside texture using just a single teaspoon of oil.
Whether you need a quick side dish for burger night or a simple late-night snack, learning how to make air fryer fries from scratch is a total game-changer. They’re naturally vegan, gluten-free, and ready in under 30 minutes!
In this Post
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Fries
- Maximum Crunch, Minimal Oil: Uses just 1 teaspoon of oil to achieve that signature golden, crispy exterior with a soft, fluffy interior.
- Fast & Mess-Free: Cooks from raw in under 25 minutes without heating up a giant pot of oil or smoking up your kitchen.
- Budget-Friendly & Simple: Made with affordable staple ingredients and high-starch Russet potatoes you can find at any grocery store.
- Naturally Vegan & Gluten-Free: An easy, crowd-pleasing side dish or snack that fits virtually any dietary need.
Ingredients & Substitutions
You can find the full printable recipe, including ingredient quantities, below. But first, here are some explanations of ingredients and steps to help you make this recipe perfect every time.
- Russet Potatoes: High-starch potatoes (like Russets or Idaho potatoes) are essential for achieving that fluffy interior and crisp exterior. Substitutions: Yukon Golds work in a pinch for a buttery flavor, but will be slightly less crisp.
- Olive Oil: A quick drizzle (1 teaspoon) helps the salt stick and browns the fries evenly. Substitutions: Any neutral, high-smoke-point oil works well, such as avocado oil, peanut oil, or canola oil.
- Sea Salt: Coarse sea salt or kosher salt clings best to hot fries right out of the basket.
- Optional Seasonings: Black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, or dried herbs can be added to customize the flavor.
Ingredient Spotlight
When choosing potatoes, stick with high-starch varieties like Russets. Waxy potatoes (like red potatoes) have a higher moisture content, which can cause the fries to steam and look wrinkled rather than crispy once cooked.
How to Make Air Fryer French Fries
Making homemade fries in the air fryer is surprisingly easy once you master a few quick tricks! Before jumping into the detailed steps below, here’s a high-level overview of how the whole process comes together:
Step One: Cut Potatoes
Leave the peel on for extra nutrition and a classic rustic look!
Cut a thin strip along the length of the potato to create a flat base so it won’t roll around on your cutting board.
Slice the potato into ¼-inch planks, then stack and slice them into ¼-inch wide fries.
Step Two: Soak for Maximum Crunch
Transfer the cut potatoes to a bowl of cold water and let them soak for at least 30 minutes (or up to several hours in the fridge).
Soaking washes away excess starches, which is the secret to getting a light, crispy exterior rather than a soft, soggy fry.
Step Three: Dry & Lightly Oil
Drain the potatoes thoroughly, then pat them completely dry using paper towels or a clean dish towel.
Transfer the dry potatoes to a bowl, drizzle with olive oil, and toss with your hands until every piece is lightly coated.
Step Four: Air Fry to Golden Perfection
Preheat your air fryer to and then add the potatoes to the basket in a loose layer. Air fry for 20 to 22 minutes, giving the basket a good shake halfway through to ensure even browning.
Transfer to a serving dish, sprinkle with salt and pepper while hot, and enjoy!
When the Air Fryer French Fries are done, sprinkle with salt and pepper (or other favorite seasonings) and they’re ready to serve.
How to Meal Prep Air Fryer Fries (2 Ways)
Want to do the prep work ahead of time? You can easily get a jump start on this recipe using either of these two meal prep methods:
Method 1: The Overnight Cold Water Soak (Raw Prep)
- Slice your potatoes and submerge them completely in a bowl of cold water.
- Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
- When you’re ready to cook, drain, pat them completely dry, toss with oil, and air fry as directed.
Method 2: Par-Frying & Freezing (Make-Ahead Batching)
- Follow the recipe steps to slice, soak, dry, and oil your potatoes.
- Par-fry them in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for just 10–12 minutes until they are cooked through but not yet golden or crisp.
- Let them cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days (or freeze on a parchment-lined baking sheet and transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months).
- Final Fry: Cook the par-fried fries straight from the fridge or freezer in a 400°F air fryer for 8–12 minutes until golden and extra crispy!
Storage Tips
Storage: Store leftover cooked fries in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
Reheating in the Air Fryer (Best Method): Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Air fry the leftover fries for 3–5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until hot and crisp again. (Avoid microwaving, which will make them soggy!)
Pro Tips for Extra Crispy Fries
You want your fries nice and crispy. These are the tips that will get you there:
- Don’t Skip the Cold Water Soak: Soaking your sliced potatoes for at least 30 minutes draws out excess surface starches. This prevents the fries from burning prematurely on the outside while ensuring they get super crisp.
- Dry Thoroughly Before Oiling: Water creates steam in the air fryer, which turns fries soggy. Use paper towels or a clean kitchen towel to pat the potato strips completely dry before tossing them with oil.
- Avoid Overcrowding the Basket: Air fryers rely on rapid air circulation to create that crunch. Cook in two smaller batches if needed so the fries sit in a loose, single layer rather than a dense pile.
- Shake the Basket Halfway: Give the air fryer basket a vigorous shake halfway through cooking (around the 10–12 minute mark) to redistribute the fries for even browning.
- Season Immediately After Cooking: Sprinkle your salt and spices on the fries as soon as they come out of the hot air fryer so the seasonings stick perfectly to the warm exterior.
French Fries are my Super Power
I feel like the Forest Gump of french fries. I love them baked, seasoned, deep-fried, and now air-fried.
Actually, between you and me, air frying is my favorite because it allows me to have my favorite food in a healthier way.
And now studies are showing that potatoes are a great filling dish because they act as a resistant starch (especially if they’re cooked and then chilled in the fridge, then reheated for serving).
That makes air-fried french fries my super power for meal-prepping, staying healthy, and enjoying my favorite crispy “fried” food!
Serving French Fries
Serve these hot, crispy fries alongside your favorite vegan burgers or sandwiches, and don’t forget plenty of dipping sauce! Here are a few reader favorites:
- Vegan Aioli
- Ketchup
- Homemade BBQ Sauce
- Vegan Ranch Dip
- Vegan Big Mac Sauce
- Tahini Sauce
Frequently-Asked Questions
How do you cook frozen French fries in an air fryer?
Spray the basket with a light mist of oil. Add frozen fries in a loose layer and air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 12–15 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes until crisp and heated through.
Are air fryer French fries healthy?
Yes! Air frying creates that signature crispy exterior using rapid air circulation rather than deep frying. A standard serving of air-fried fries has around 186 calories and 2 grams of fat, compared to over 350 calories and heavy oil in deep-fried versions.
Is the air fryer better than stove-top?
Air frying is much cleaner and faster than stovetop pan-frying. It cooks the fries evenly on all sides without filling your kitchen with smoke or requiring excess oil.
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More Potato Recipes
Sure, you love these air fryer fries, but if you’re ready for more tasty potato recipes, check these out:
And, if you’re looking for more air fryer recipes, be sure to try these Air Fryer Chickpeas. You can cook so many tasty foods in an air fryer. For example, these Air Fryer Falafel are the best!
Easy Air Fryer French Fries
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Ingredients
- 2 medium russet potatoes , washed
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cut: Cut off the ends of the potatoes and slice a thin piece off one long side to create a flat edge. Make ¼-inch horizontal slices lengthwise, turn flat-side down, and cut into ¼-inch wide strips.
- Soak: Transfer cut potatoes to a bowl of cold water and submerge. Refrigerate for 30 minutes 30 minutes (or up to several hours).
- Preheat & Dry: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C. Drain the potatoes and pat them completely dry with paper towels.
- Oil: Transfer dry potato slices to a bowl, drizzle with olive oil, and toss until every piece is evenly coated.
- Air Fry: Transfer oiled potatoes to the air fryer basket in a loose layer. Cook for 20 to 22 minutes, shaking or stirring the basket halfway through to ensure even browning.
- Season & Serve: Remove hot fries from the air fryer, transfer to a serving dish, and immediately season with sea salt and black pepper.
Recommended Equipment
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Notes
Recipe Tips:
- Soaking Tip: For maximum crispiness, do not skip the cold-water soak; it washes away surface starch that can cause fries to steam instead of crisp.
- Batching Tip: Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Cook in two batches if your basket is small so the hot air can circulate freely.
- Reheating Tip: Reheat leftover fries in the air fryer at 375°F for 3–5 minutes until warm and crunchy.
Nutrition
The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
This post was originally published in 2018 and was updated to include new photos, new text, and an updated recipe in 2021.
About the Author
Hi! I’m Marly McMillen. I’m the founding editor, author, recipe developer, vegan home chef, and food stylist behind Namely Marly. I’m so grateful to you and every member of my audience for your support and dedication. More about Namely Marly ›
16 Responses to Air Fryer French Fries
Rate / Comment
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Can’t wait to try!
Dude these French fries are bomb!! I love that the air fryer cooks them so perfectly!
Your fries turned out amazing! These look so good. I’m so glad you got an Air Fryer!
I don’t have an Air Fryer…yet, but waiting to actually TASTE a CRISPY French Fry! For some reason, to me, these (or anyone’s F.F. in an air fryer) just don’t look crispy to me… they look soggy. You know, how a really crispy french fry looks after coming out of a deep fryer? Well, these don’t look anything at all like those… but, I MUST be wrong as everyone says they’re really crispy… so tell me, are they??? Thanks guys! I SO WANT THEM TO BE CRISPY!
Nancy! I totally get you. Here’s the deal about an air fryer, you can make the fries however you want! I’ve made some batches that are still tender and wiggly. Sometimes that just works for me. But when I want a super crispy french fry, I just leave it in the air fryer a little longer and it works! You could also add a little bit more oil. I just like keeping oil down, but then again, I don’t have a gallbladder! Let me know if you get one and how it works for you!
These fries look so crispy – I wish they magically made their way onto my plate! I’ve never tried air fryer but you made me want to get one!
Hi Tania, I understand waiting on the air fryer because I did for quite awhile. But now that I’ve made the plunge, I’m so glad I did! There will be more air fryer recipes coming soon! ❤️
Wow! French fries is my favorite meal when snack time. I would like to try this recipe and share this to my friends and family too. Thank you for your time sharing this recipe. Hoping to see other recipes on french fries
Thanks! Hope you love them as much as we do!
Mmmm, those look delicious, perfect chips!
We’e been getting a lot of use with our air fryer as well! Just love how crispy everything turns out without having to use all that oil. And those fries you made look like they turned out perfectly!
Perfect is exactly the way I would describe them!
Air-fried french fries are life-changing!! I love how easy they are to make, and I totally don’t miss the deep-fried ones because these taste just as awesome. Thanks for the great recipe!
Thanks, Brittany! Yes, any chance to miss out on all the added oils is great with me!
Some of my family members think all I eat are salads with french fries since that’s all they see me eat at non-vegan-friendly restaurants! HA! I love my air fryer for making homemade fries, too. They are the best!
Exactly! Salad and french fries are a go-to favorite when dining out as vegan. However, we do have a locally owned restaurant and they offer a Jolly Green giant sized baked potato so I do get that sometimes too. I know they think I’m a freak when I order the potato with steamed broccoli and NOTHING ELSE! Sometimes, I’ll pour a little of their balsamic vinaigrette over the potato, or eat it plain. But we’re talking about french fries. Right? Right. I hope there will be a day when we can order air fryer french fries at restaurants too! In the meantime…homemade baby!