Air Fryer French Fries deliver that perfect golden crunch without the guilt of deep frying. These crispy potato strips come together in just 50 minutes and pack only 108 calories per serving.
They’re the ideal side dish when you want that authentic french fry experience – crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside – while keeping things light and healthy. With just the right balance of fiber, protein, and healthy fats, these fries prove that comfort food can be both delicious and nutritious.
Ingredients
- Russet Potato: 1 large, perfect for crispy fries
- Oil: 1 tablespoon vegetable or canola oil for optimal crispiness
- Cornstarch: 1/2 tablespoon, helps achieve golden exterior
- Seasoned Salt: 2 teaspoons for perfect flavor
- Black Pepper: 1/8 teaspoon for added kick
Instructions
- Prep the Potato: Clean potato and cut into uniform ¼ to ½ inch matchsticks for even cooking
- Hot Water Soak: Place cut potatoes in boiled water for 30 minutes to remove excess starch
- Drying Process: Drain and pat thoroughly dry with paper towels
- Air Fryer Setup: Preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees
- Season and Coat: Combine potatoes, cornstarch, and seasonings in a ziplock bag, then add oil
- Air Frying: Cook at 360° for 15-20 minutes, tossing every 5 minutes until golden
- Serving: Enjoy hot with your favorite dipping sauce like ranch or ketchup
Pro Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Fries
Hey there, french fry lover! Want to make these fries even better? Here are my favorite tricks: Cut your potatoes as evenly as possible – I like to line up my potato slabs before cutting them into matchsticks.
The hot water soak is pure magic – don’t skip it! Pat those potatoes super dry after soaking, as extra moisture is the enemy of crispiness. When you’re shaking the bag with cornstarch and seasonings, do a little dance – it helps coat them more evenly (okay, maybe that’s just me having fun in the kitchen!).
Mix Up Your Seasonings
While seasoned salt makes amazing fries, you can totally switch things up! Try garlic powder and parmesan for garlic parm fries, or add some cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
Love ranch-flavored snacks? Sprinkle on some dried dill and garlic powder. My personal favorite is a mix of smoked paprika and garlic powder – it gives the fries a lovely smoky flavor that’s simply amazing.
Dips and Pairings
These crispy fries are begging to be dipped! Mix equal parts mayo and ketchup for a quick fry sauce, or get fancy with some garlic aioli. They’re perfect next to burgers, sandwiches, or just on their own for a snack.
If you’re feeling extra hungry, sprinkle some shredded cheese on top right when they’re hot from the air fryer – it melts into gooey perfection!
Storage and Reheating
Got leftover fries? Pop them in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 2 days. To bring back their crispiness, just toss them back in the air fryer at 360°F for 3-4 minutes. They won’t be exactly like fresh-made, but they’ll still be yummy! Just avoid microwaving them – that’ll make them soggy.
Air Fryer French Fries
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 large russet potato
- 1 Tablespoon oil vegetable or canola
- 1/2 Tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Wash the russet potato and remove any bruises.
- Cut the potato lengthwise into ¼ to ½ inch thin slabs then cut the slabs into ¼ inch thin matchsticks. Try your best to cut the potato into uniform slices to ensure the fries cook evenly. You could use a mandoline.
- Soak in HOT water. Put about 3 inches of water in a large pot and bring it to a boil Once boiling, remove from heat and place your cut potatoes in the hot water to soak for 30 minutes. (This is essential to remove some of the starch from the potato which will help them get crispy while cooking).
- Dry the potatoes. Drain the water and lay potatoes out onto paper towels, patting them until very dry.
- Preheat Air Fryer to 360 degrees.
- Season: Add potatoes to a ziplock bag. Sprinkle cornstarch and seasonings over top and shake to coat. Add the oil and shake again to coat.
- Air Fry: Spray the basket with non stick spray and spread the fries out in the basket. Fry at 360 for 15-20 minutes, checking on the fries and tossing them every 5 minutes until they are golden and crispy. I use tongs to gently toss them and make sure they don’t stick together. Exact cook time will vary depending on size of your fries. Mine are crispy after 15 minutes (tossing 3 times).
- Serve with dipping sauces like fry sauce (recipe in notes), ranch, bbq sauce, ketchup or Chick-fil-A sauce.
