Air Fryer French Fries – 3 ingredient homemade crispy French fries using very little oil and NO soaking in water! A tasty snack or quick side dish with almost anything.
It’s still my favorite way to make French fries – crispy, golden, salty and absolutely delicious.
This easy recipe is a healthier option to deep frying because it uses way less oil.
Served straight up with a little sea salt or alongside my favorite dipping sauces, they never disappoint.
My original recipe published in 2019 involved soaking the potatoes in water then drying them well.
They were really good, but oh man the time it seemed to take for these steps.
So I decided to try making them without and discovered these homemade fries have the same golden, crispy results (no soggy fries here!).
I removed that step from the recipe and still find them truly irresistible.
HOT TIPS AND FAQ:
- Use russet potatoes for best results.
- You can peel the potatoes or leave the peels on – either works well.
- Cut the potatoes approximately equal size for even cooking, but if there are smaller pieces, don’t worry. They’ll just be a little crispier.
- Add the potatoes to the air fryer basket in a mostly single layer. If some slightly overlap that’s okay.
- Store bought frozen french fries come out really well in the air fryer. Follow this recipe without adding oil.
- Sweet potato fries are another tasty side in the air fryer (again follow this recipe).
- To make homemade potato chips, slice on a mandoline, drizzle with olive oil and salt the air fry until crisp and golden.
WHAT DO I NEED TO MAKE AIR FRYER FRENCH FRIES?
- russet potatoes
- olive oil
- sea salt
How to make air fryer French fries:
Peel and slice the potatoes using a sharp knife into 1/4 to 1/2″ sticks then blot the potatoes using a paper towel to remove any excess starch.
Add the potatoes to a large bowl then drizzle with olive oil (1-2 teaspoons), give them a good sprinkle of salt then toss to coat.
Add the cut potatoes to the air fryer basket in a single layer (it’s okay if some slightly overlap).
Air fry 12-15 minutes total or until crispy and golden brown (you may have to cook in batches).
About halfway through the cooking time, pause and give the air fryer basket a good shake.
Transfer the first cooked batch to a bowl then air fry the remaining fries.
Once all batches are air fried, pile all the fries back into the air fryer (they don’t need to be in a single layer) then air fry 1-2 minutes to warm and re-crisp.
Remove the fries from the air fryer, give them a little bit more salt (optional) then eat right away.
NOTE: Cook time will vary with air fryers and the thickness of the potatoes. If they’re not crispy enough, cook an additional minute.
VARIATIONS:
- Sprinkle on your favorite seasonings such as dry Ranch, garlic powder, onion powder or Everything Bagel seasoning.
- Avocado oil can be used instead of olive oil.
- Try thicker cut fries such as potato wedges or steak fries (increase cooking time).
What GOES WITH AIR FRYER french fries?
Pretty much anything!
As a snack, just add ketchup or a dipping sauce, such as honey mustard or a Chick fil-A copycat sauce blending mayonnaise, honey and bbq sauce.
These fries are the perfect side with any of the recipes below (and many others!):
Cheese Sauce (for cheese fries!)
NEED MORE GREAT RECIPES WITH YOUR AIR FRYER?
Below are more of my favorite air fryer recipes:
Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich
Full details in the printable recipe card below.
Enjoy!
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Air Fryer French Fries - NO soaking!
Ingredients
- 2 large russet potatoes sliced in 1/4-1/2" sticks (peel optional)
- 1-2 teaspoons olive oil
- sea salt
Instructions
- Peel and slice the potatoes using a sharp knife into 1/4 to 1/2" sticks then blot the potatoes using a paper towel to remove any excess starch.
- Add to a large bowl, drizzle with olive oil (1-2 teaspoons), give them a good sprinkle of salt then toss to coat.
- Add the cut potatoes to the air fryer basket in a single layer (it’s okay if some slightly overlap).
- Air fry 12-15 minutes total or until crispy and golden brown (you may have to cook in batches). About halfway through the cooking time, pause and give the air fryer basket a good shake.
- Transfer the first cooked batch to a bowl then air fry the remaining fries. Once all batches are air fried, pile all the fries back into the air fryer (they don’t need to be in a single layer) then air fry 1-2 minutes to warm and re-crisp.
- Remove the fries from the air fryer, give them a little bit more salt (optional) then eat right away.
Doris Saltis says
Really good. Do you have more air fryer recipes like chicken tenders?
Bernie says
Hi Doris – thanks so much! I appreciate you taking the time to comment 🙂 Yes – I have other air fryer recipes on the blog. Type air fryer in the search section and they’ll come up, but I’m actually adding an ‘air fryer’ category to the index in the next day or 2 AND should have a NEW Air Fryer Chicken Strips recipe up next week so please come back! Enjoy the day.