Air Fryer French Fries

My recipe for air fryer french fries gives me perfectly crispy, golden fries every single time. I make these whenever my family wants a side dish that tastes like takeout!

My Crispy Recipe For French Fries in the Air Fryer

The first recipe I ever made in my air fryer was air fryer french fries. In fact, I first bought an air fryer more than 9 years ago just to make homemade fries.

I had my sister Crystal over for dinner one night and made two large potatoes’ worth of french fries in my tiny 2-quart air fryer, and guess what? They ended up half-burnt and half-raw.

While they taste great fried, I was super intrigued by the idea that an air fryer uses much less oil. That meant I could enjoy fries much more often. So, I was determined to make cooking french fries in the air fryer work, and kept testing them over and over again until I came up with my fail-proof recipe.

And, if you love good air fryer french fry recipes, try my recipes for air fryer sweet potato fries, frozen fries in the air fryer, air fryer waffle fries, and Ninja Foodi french fries.

Homemade French Fries in the Air Fryer Ingredients

• Russet potatoes – I use russets because they have the right starch content to crisp up while staying fluffy inside. Yukon golds work too, but the texture is a little softer.
• Olive oil – Just enough to help the fries get that golden, crispy exterior without feeling heavy or greasy.
• Garlic powder – It adds a little savory depth that clings to the potatoes as they crisp.
  Onion powder – I like the balance it brings with the garlic and paprika.
• Smoked paprika – This gives the fries a subtle smoky flavor and a pop of color.
• Salt and pepper – I season lightly before cooking and then add more once they’re hot and fresh.
• Cornstarch – My trick for getting fries extra crispy! It soaks up moisture and makes a light coating that gets super crunchy in the air fryer.

How To Make French Fries in the Air Fryer

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

STEP ONE: Peel the potatoes, then cut them into thin strips, about 1/4-inch in width.

STEP TWO: Put the fries in a big bowl of cold water and let them soak for 30 minutes to help them get crispy. Then drain the bowl.

STEP THREE: Dry the bowl and the potatoes well with a paper towel or kitchen towel. Add the dried off fries to the bowl and add the olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well until they’re well coated.

STEP FOUR: Sprinkle cornstarch over the fries and mix them again until it’s evenly distributed.

STEP FIVE: Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F. Air fry them in a single layer for 15 to 20 minutes, flipping the fries halfway through the cooking time, until they get crispy and golden brown.

Tips For the Best Air Fryer French Fries

• Soak the potatoes to help remove excess starch for crispier fries. I usually let mine soak for at least 30 minutes, but sometimes as long as overnight.
• Dry the potatoes well so the oil sticks and the fries crisp instead of steaming. I pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel.
• Layer in a single batch so the air can circulate. I always work in batches when making a big portion to avoid overcrowding the basket.
• Flip the fries halfway through the cooking time. This is my trick to getting both sides evenly golden.
• I taste and season right after cooking, while they’re still hot, so any extra seasoning sticks better.

Air Fryer Fries Sauce and Seasoning Ideas

• Add some french fry seasoning to my air fryer french fries recipe for extra flavor. I am obsessed with Lawry’s French Fry seasoning!
• I sometimes use a homemade blend of spices with paprika, garlic powder, and sea salt. If I want heat, I’ll add cayenne pepper.
• I always serve my french fries with a good dipping sauce. My favorites are ketchup, nacho cheese sauce, ranch, sriracha mayo, and garlic aioli.
• For cheesy, savory fries, I’ll sprinkle Parmesan cheese and garlic over them right when they come out of the air fryer.
• When I want a spicy kick, I’ll toss the finished fries with Cajun seasoning just before serving.

What to Serve with Air Fry French Fries

I love pairing my air fryer fries with classics like air fryer hot dogs, air fryer burgers, air fryer chicken wings, or air fryer chicken tenders!

If I’m hosting game day, I’ll use my homemade fries as the base for loaded fries and serve them with air fryer nachos and loaded tater tots!

Air Fryer French Fries FAQs

How should I store leftovers?

I let any extra fries cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When I’m ready to eat them again, I just pop them back into the air fryer to bring back that crispy texture.

How to reheat French fries in an air fryer

When I need to reheat fries, I skip the microwave and use the air fryer so they stay crisp. I preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F, add the fries to the basket, and cook for about 2-3 minutes until they’re hot and crunchy again. This works for my leftover McDonald’s fries too!

How can I get my air fryer French fries crispier?

When I want mine extra crispy, I make sure to soak them in cold water long enough to remove starch, dry them completely, and coat them lightly with cornstarch before cooking. Cooking French fries in smaller batches also makes a big difference because they have room to crisp instead of steam.

Is it healthier to make homemade french fries in the air fryer?

My air fryer french fries only need a little oil, so they feel lighter than deep-fried versions but still taste indulgent. To me, this is a big win health-wise over takeout fries that are full of oil.

More Easy Air Fryer Side Dishes

• Air fryer cauliflower
• Air fryer tater tots
• Air fryer bacon
• Air fryer onion rings
• Air fryer baked potato
• Air fryer carrots