Air fryer french fries: Quick, tasty, and loaded with flavor. Cooked in the air fryer to keep them extra light and fluffy in the middle and super crispy outside. The simple recipe is an excellent addition to any meal.

Air Fryer French Fries

These beautiful air fryer french fries have everything you love about classic fries without excessive oil. The air fryer bakes the potatoes from all directions resulting in a light and fluffy bite with a perfectly crisp potato skin. The perfect side to my air fryer salmon, oven-roasted chicken breast, crispy fried chicken legs, or any other main dish of choice.

This post contains affiliate links. See the affiliate disclaimer here.

What potato is best for making french fries?

Russet potatoes are the best choice for making extra thick fries. The potatoes, also known as Idaho potatoes, have a rather thick skin, fluffy flesh, and high starch content. That combination allows them to hold up well when cooking in direct heat, especially in the air fryer.

Since the potatoes have such a mild flavor, I toss them in a blend of smoked paprika and garlic powder. This adds to the overall flavor and makes them perfect for dipping into ketchup or ranch.

How long does it take to make air fryer French fries?

The cook time for the fries in the air fryer is about 25 minutes, plus 15 minutes to soak before cooking. Overall with the prep time, it will take about 45 minutes to make the fries.

What do I need to make these fries?

The fries are a very simple recipe, and you probably already have everything you need right in your pantry.

Russet Potatoes
Paprika
Garlic Powder
Salt
Black pepper
Olive oil

How do I cut the fries?

I like to keep the fries in a classic stick shape at about a 3/8-inch thickness. The size keeps the fries at the perfect bite and is just the right proportion for dipping into your favorite sauce.

How to make air fryer French fries

Rinse the potatoes: Most russet potatoes have a little dirt on them, even after buying from a store. Give them a good rinse before cutting to make sure they are nice and clean.
Pat dry: Be sure to give your potatoes a good pat down before cutting them and placing them in the air fryer. The potatoes need to be fully dry in order to develop that extra crispy skin.
Season well: Once the potatoes are cut, season them well and toss them in a bowl with the spice mix and oil. Make sure to fully cover all of the potatoes in the spice mixture, and there are no dry spots.
Cooking: Place everything together in the air fryer and let the potatoes crisp up. I don’t preheat my air fryer and just add everything in at once. Some air fryers may need some time to warm up, so add on an additional few minutes if needed. When the potatoes are fork-tender and golden brown, they are ready to be eaten.

What can I serve these crispy fries with?

While these light and fluffy fries are great on their own, they pair even better with a full meal or as a barbecue side dish. Serve them with burgers, wings, or any meat dish. Try them alongside baked chicken drumsticks or with a classic hamburger.

More potato recipes

Potatoes are a big hit in my home and one of my favorites to cook with. Here are some of my favorite potato recipes to try out after making the air fryer French fries

Other Air fryer Recipes you may like:

Here is the air fryer I use COSORI smart wifi air fryer. It is big enough for a large family but you can also get it in smaller sizes if you prefer that.

Air fryer french fries

Air fryer french fries: Quick, tasty, and loaded with flavor. Cooked in the air fryer to keep them extra light and fluffy in the middle and super crispy outside. The simple recipe is an excellent addition to any meal.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Calories:

Equipment

Air Fryer

Ingredients

3 medium Russet Potatoes About 1½ lbs
1- liter hot water for soaking
2 tbsp oil
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Rinse and clean 3 medium-sized russet potatoes. Peel the potatoes if desired and cut them into slices about 3/8-inch thick. Continue to slice the potatoes into sticks, also at 3/8-inch thickness.
Cover the potatoes in a bowl with water and soak for at least 15 minutes to release the excess starch.
After 15 minutes, drain the water and pat the potatoes dry with a paper towel.
Place potatoes into a large mixing bowl and drizzle with oil. Toss the potatoes with garlic powder, paprika, and pepper.
Preheat the air fryer to 380 F and add the potatoes to the basket. Cook the fries for 15 minutes.
After 15 minutes, remove the basket and rotate the fries. Place the basket back in the air fryer for another 10 to 12 minutes until the fries have a golden brown look.
Remove the fries from the basket and toss them with salt in a mixing bowl. Serve while still warm with ketchup, ranch, or your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

It’s very important not to add salt until after the fries are done. When added before cooking it pulls out water from the potatoes and this can make the resulting fries soggy.
It’s okay to add the fries at once into the air fryer basket. However, be sure to arrange them in such a way that the airflow in the air dryer is not blocked.
Be sure to shake in between cooking to help the fries crisp evenly

Let’s Connect! You can find me on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. I love keeping in touch with all of you!

Crispy Air Fryer French Fries