The recipe prices will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. Please use what is posted as a guide.
Enjoy guilt-free Air Fryer French Fries with a golden exterior and tender interior. They’re homemade and are a healthier twist on classic fries.
It costs about $1.28 to make these french fries. The recipe makes six servings, which are around $0.21 per serving.
Air Fryer French Fries
These Air Fryer Home Fries are super simple and extremely tasty! Your family and friends will be impressed as they will think they are eating restaurant-quality fries in the comfort of your home.
This recipe’s not-so-secret is the simple and well-balanced seasoning of olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. The fries are fluffy inside with a golden crispy exterior, giving you the perfect texture.
Enjoy this healthier version of french fries by making them in the Air Fryer without the mess of frying them in oil. Serve them as a side dish to your Grilled Hot Dogs, an afternoon snack, or a party appetizer. You’ll save time and money by skipping the drive-thru line and making these homemade fries in an Air Fryer instead!
What You’ll Love About Air Fryer French Fries
- Healthier Option: Air frying requires minimal to no oil compared to traditional deep frying methods. Hot air circulation creates a crispy texture without the excess fat and calories associated with deep frying.
- Customizable Seasoning: You can experiment with different herbs and spices or create your signature seasoning blend to suit your taste preferences.
- Convenience: Preparing homemade fries doesn’t require extensive preparation or waiting for the oil to heat up.
- Texture and Taste: Air fryers are designed to create a crispy exterior while maintaining a tender interior, giving you the satisfying texture of traditional French fries. The circulating hot air ensures even cooking and browning, resulting in fries that are crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
- Cost-effective: Using an air fryer to make French fries at home can be more cost-effective than buying pre-packaged frozen fries or going to a restaurant.
Ingredients & Estimated Cost:
- 4 large russet potatoes – $1.04
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil – $0.24
The recipe cost is calculated by the amounts needed for the recipe. To find out more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained. The pricing for this recipe was updated in June 2023.
How To Make French Fries In The Air Fryer
***For complete recipe instructions, see the recipe card below.
- First, wash and peel (if you’d like) the potatoes.
- Then, slice the potatoes using a mandoline, and cut the potatoes into strips.
- Set the potatoes in a large bowl of cool water and let them soak for one hour.
- Next, preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees F and the oven to 250 degrees F.
- Drain the potatoes and pat them dry with a paper towel.
- Toss the fries with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in batches using a small bowl.
- Then, place a single layer of fries in the air fryer basket and cook them for fifteen to twenty minutes or until crispy and golden brown.
- As each batch finishes cooking, place the fries on a baking sheet and put them in the preheated oven to stay warm.
- Finally, serve with ketchup, ranch, and parmesan cheese.
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- Seasoned Fries: Besides salt, pepper, and garlic powder, you can experiment with different seasonings to add extra flavor. Some popular options include paprika, chili powder, cayenne pepper, onion powder, or a seasoning blend like Cajun or Italian seasoning.
- Parmesan Garlic Fries: Toss the cooked fries with grated Parmesan cheese and garlic powder for a cheesy and garlicky twist. For added freshness, you can also sprinkle some fresh chopped parsley or dried herbs like oregano or thyme.
- Truffle Fries: Drizzle truffle oil over the cooked fries and sprinkle them with grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
- Loaded Fries: Turn your French fries into a hearty and indulgent meal by adding toppings like melted cheese, crispy bacon bits, green onions, sour cream, and pickled jalapeños.
- Sweet Potato Fries: Substitute russet potatoes with sweet potatoes for a healthier and slightly sweeter alternative. Follow the same steps, but adjust the cooking time as sweet potatoes may cook faster than russet potatoes in the air fryer.
- Substitutions:
- Oil Substitutions: If you prefer a different oil or don’t have olive oil on hand, you can substitute it with vegetable oil, canola oil, or avocado oil.
- Potato Substitutions: While russet potatoes are commonly used for French fries, you can also use other varieties like Yukon Gold or red potatoes. Remember that different potato types may have slightly different textures and flavors.
Air Fryer Fries Serving and Storage Tips
Serve: French fries are best enjoyed right after cooking when they are hot and crispy. Serve them as a side dish with burgers, sandwiches, grilled meats, or snacks.
Store: If you have leftover cooked French fries, allow them to cool completely before storing them. Place them in an airtight container or sealable plastic bag and store them in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. However, note that refrigeration may cause the fries to lose their crispness.
Reheat: To reheat refrigerated French fries, use the air fryer again, oven, or stovetop. Reheat them until they are hot and crispy.
Freeze: Let the fries cool completely to room temperature before freezing. Place the fries in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze them for about an hour or until they are firm. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag and freeze for 2-3 months.
Reheating Frozen Fries: Place the frozen fries in the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F for 15-20 minutes or until golden and crispy. Shake the basket occasionally during cooking to ensure even browning.
Air Fryer French Fries Recipe FAQs
Making these fries in the Air Fryer will take about fifteen to twenty minutes. However, this timing is just a guide, as each Air Fryer works slightly differently, so keep an eye on your fries and cook them until they are golden and crispy.
Soaking the fries in water before cooking them helps them become crispy as they soak, releasing some of the starch from the potatoes. Just remember to dry the potatoes after soaking them before seasoning and cooking.
This could be a result of the incorrect temperature. The fries will not get crispy if the Air Fryer is not hot enough. Additionally, the fries cannot cook evenly and get crispy if the basket is overcrowded.
Get Kids Involved
Ages 2-3: Ask your little one to help wash and lightly scrub the potatoes under running water. This is a simple and safe task that will help them feel involved.
Ages 4-5: Let your kiddo set the fries in a single layer in the Air Fryer Basket. Teach them to do this without overcrowding and safely use the Air Fryer.
Ages 6-8: Guide your child’s hand as you teach them to slice the potatoes using a mandoline.
Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe.
Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe unsupervised while you do the happy dance in the corner!
Budget Tips
Save money by making Homemade Ranch Dressing instead of purchasing a bottle of store-bought dressing. Russet Potatoes are a budget-friendly option for making french fries, so these are our first choice for this recipe.
More Side Dish Recipes
- Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs
- Easy Garlic Bread
- BLT Pasta Salad
- Cowboy Caviar
- Mexican Fruit Salad
- Loaded Baked Beans
- Ambrosia Salad with Cool Whip
- Instant Pot Corn on the Cob
- Oven Roasted Red Potatoes
- Creamy Cucumber Salad
Air Fryer French Fries
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Measuring spoons
- baking sheet
- mandoline slicer
- large bowl
Ingredients
FRIES:
- 4 large russet potatoes
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Garlic powder to taste
FOR SERVING:
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese
- Ketchup
- Ranch dressing
Instructions
PREP POTATOES:
- Wash potatoes, peel them if desired, or leave the peel on.
- Slice the potatoes using a mandoline, then cut them into strips.
- Place potatoes in a large bowl with cool water, completely submerged.
- Allow the potatoes to soak for 1 hour.
PREP AIR FRYER:
- Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees F.
- Next, preheat the oven to 250 degrees F to keep the fries warm between cooking batches.
PREP FRIES:
- Drain the potatoes and pat them dry with a paper towel.
- Add the fries to a bowl in batches and toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
AIR FRY:
- Add a single layer of fries to the air fryer basket.
- Cook for 15-20 minutes or until crispy and golden brown.
- Add fries to a baking sheet and place them in the preheated oven to keep warm.
- Serve with ketchup, ranch, and/or parmesan cheese if you like.
Lana says
Thank you! These turned out perfectly and I can’t believe how easy it was. I’ve been avoiding making these lol
Sangeetha says
I tried this recipe, and I’m hooked! They come out perfectly crispy on the outside and wonderfully tender on the inside. I love that they’re homemade and much healthier than traditional fries. My family and friends couldn’t believe they were made in an air fryer – they tasted just like restaurant-quality fries! This recipe is definitely a keeper, and I’ll be making them again and again!
Quynh says
I just tried this recipe to go with some grilled burgers and it was so simple to make.
Luci Petlack says
So good! Perfectly crispy and delicious! Thanks for sharing
BEth says
These are the best fries I’ve ever made! They’re so crispy and delicious, and they’re ready so fast. That’s the best.
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
This recipe has become my go-to whenever I’m craving a delightful snack or a side dish that’s sure to impress. Thank you for sharing this gem with us – it’s a true keeper!