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.
Making French Fries In The Air Fryer
There are some foods that just taste best when they’re fried, but that aren’t exactly healthy. French fries is one of those foods (don’t get me started on my love/hate relationship with them). Thankfully, there’s an alternative to your deep-fried fries. Air fryers cook food by circulating hot air around it. That means the crispy texture and nice brown color – two things that make a great french fry – are still achieved!
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.
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Soaking the Potatoes
If you want to be able to get these french fries crispier, you’re going to have to spend just a few minutes getting rid of some starch either soaking them in hot tap water for 10 to 15 minutes or cold water for at least 30 minutes. Both will help remove the excess starch, which can make them soggy. The result is more evenly cooked, crispier fries that will hold up better!
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 20 minutes, plus 10 minutes of prep time and 15 minutes of soak time.
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, like honey mustard sauce, Easy All Purpose Barbecue Sauce, or Fry Sauce.
How to make homemade French fries in the air fryer
Let me show you how to get the crispiness and quality of deep-fried french fries but with a fraction of the oil.
Peel the potatoes, and slice them into strips of about a quarter-inch thickness.
To make crispier fries, it’s important to reduce the starchiness by either soaking them in hot tap water for 10 to 15 minutes or cold water for at least 30 minutes.
Drain and rinse until the water is clear. Dry properly and season with garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper. Add the oil and mix well.
Air fry in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd. You may need to work in batches. Cook at 380F for 15-20 minutes or until golden and crisp, and remember to flip halfway through.
Season with salt and serve as desired!
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
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.
Rinse and clean 3 medium-sized russet potatoes. Peel the potatoes if desired and cut them into slices about 1/4 to 3/8-inch thick.
To reduce the starchiness, cover the potatoes in a bowl with hot water from the tap and soak them for 10 to 15 minutes or cold water for at least 30 minutes.
Drain the water and rinse a couple of times until the water comes out clear. Then pat the potatoes dry with a paper towel – don't skip this step.
Place potatoes into a large mixing bowl and season with garlic powder, paprika, and pepper. Add the oil and mix well.
Preheat the air fryer to 380 F and add the potatoes to the basket in a single layer. You may work in batches. Cook the fries for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden and crisp, and remember to flip halfway through.
Remove the fries from the basket and toss them with salt. Serve hot 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.
Be sure to shake in between cooking to help the fries crisp evenly
Faraja Azaka
Friday 4th of November 2022
Thank you so much for your recipes. I appreciate you.