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Best Air Fryer French Fries

These air fryer French fries are about the best fries I’ve ever tasted. And they make the perfect side dish for so many different types of meals. You can also use frozen fries, which I often do. However, if you don’t have any fries in the freezer, it’s super easy to cut your own potatoes.

Plate of french fries on a plate with ketchup

Homemade French Fries in the Air Fryer

The ones I make are crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Although I can get a similar result from frying in a pan, they’re not quite as good as these. Add some french fry seasoning or just a little salt for a delicious side dish or snack!

However, the ones I like the most are from fresh whole potatoes. There’s a secret to getting them perfect in the air fryer, and it’s not difficult.

Air Fryer French Fries Ingredients

If you choose to start from scratch with a whole potato, you’ll only need three things. You need an extra large potato, some cooking oil, and seasoned salt.

Seasoned salt, avocado oil, and potato

Yes, that’s all it takes to get the crispiest, tastiest French fries possible. Oh, you’ll also need an air fryer.

By the way, my secret is to start out with a cold potato. That’s because it holds its shape as the hot air circulates around it, making the outside of each fry very crispy.

Cold potato right out of the refrigerator

I’ve seen that some people immerse the cut fries into a bowl of ice water and then dry them off. That’s fine, but I like to put the potato in the fridge a couple of hours before I cut it.

However, regardless of how cold your potato is, you’ll have some delicious fries after they finish cooking.

For some reason unknown to me, that appliance makes all the difference in the world when it comes to crispy fries.

For exact measurements of each ingredient and full directions, go to the recipe card at the bottom of the page. You can even print out the card by using the “print” button.

How to Make French Fries in the Air Fryer

First, you’ll need to preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees F. Go ahead and start that before you cut the potato.

It typically takes about three minutes to preheat. However, some air fryers are faster than that.

Secondly, cut the potato into long strips in the shape of the fries you want.

Potato cut into strips

You can use either a knife or a mandolin for this.

Next, place the potato strips in a large bowl. Add the oil and then shake the bowl to coat all of the potato strips.

Pouring oil over the cut potatoes

Or you can use your hands. Do whatever you have to do to coat the uncooked fries.

Once the air fryer reaches the desired temperature, place the potato strips in a single layer in the basket. Now set the timer for 12 minutes.

Oiled potato strips in an air fryer

Most air fryers have a buzzer or bell that sounds a few minutes before the end of the cooking time. This is to let you know that you should turn the food.

When this happens, pull out the basket and give it a good shake to flip the fries. Or you can use a spatula if you’re more comfortable doing that.

This is when I also season the fries. Or you can wait until they’re done. It’s up to you.

Sprinkling salt on the french fries

Put the basket back into the air fryer, and it should resume cooking on its own.

At the end of the cooking time, the machine should let you know it’s done.

Test one of the fries to see if you like how it’s cooked.

Dipping a french fry in some ketchup

If you want them crispier, put the basket back into the fryer and cook the fries another 3 minutes. Be careful not to overcook them.

What is an Air Fryer?

An air fryer is actually a compact convection oven that cooks quickly due to the technology behind it. In addition to heating up, a fan swirls the hot air around the food.

You don’t need much oil to cook food in an air fryer, so it’s much less fattening than deep-fried food.

The air fryer I have is the Instant Vortex from the same company that makes the Instant Pot. I love what this company produces!

Now back to the air fryer. It’s also good for heating up anything that you want to have a crispy exterior.

For example, if you’re heating up chicken nuggets, use an air fryer to avoid the sogginess you’ll get with the microwave.

What Can You Cook in an Air Fryer?

You can cook anything that won’t fall through the openings in the basket. It’s excellent for baked, roasted, or fried food.

However, soup isn’t a good food to cook in an air fryer. While you can cook cheese sticks, shredded cheese will melt and drip through the vents that are there to keep the air circulating around the food.

Fries in an air fryer basket and on a plate

More Recipes

These delicious air fryer French fries are the perfect accompaniment to any seafood or chicken dish. They’re also good with beef or pork.

We enjoy eating French fries with these oven-fried salmon cakes. Add a side salad, and you’ve got a great meal.

They’re also delicious with these crunchy chicken strips. And a side of creamy coleslaw completes the main part of this meal.

Don’t forget about dessert. We love this tangy lemon meringue pie or a couple of these scrumptious peanut butter cookies after a good meal.

See this recipe shared at Weekend Potluck, Meal Plan Monday, and Full Plate Thursday.

Yield: 2 servings

Best Air Fryer French Fries

Golden brown french fries on a plate with ketchup

You can make deliciously golden, crispy french fries in an air fryer.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 large potato
  • 1 tablespoon of cooking oil
  • Seasoned salt to taste

Instructions

    1. Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees F. It should be ready right after you finish cutting and oiling your potato.
    2. Cut the potato into long, thin strips. You can use a knife or a mandolin.
    3. Put the potato strips in a large bowl and add the cooking oil. Shake the bowl to make sure all of the potatoes are coated.
    4. As soon as the air fryer lets you know it’s ready, pour the potato strips into the basket in a single layer.
    5. Cook for 12 minutes.
    6. Most air fryers let you know when it’s time to turn the food. However, if yours doesn’t, remove the basket and turn the fries over when you have about 3 or 4 minutes left. This is when I add the seasoned salt.
    7. After they’re done, remove the basket and serve the French fries. We like them with lots of ketchup!

Notes

If you want even crispier fries, cook them an additional 3 minutes.

Nutrition Information

Yield

2

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 201Total Fat 7gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 0mgSodium 205mgCarbohydrates 32gFiber 3gSugar 2gProtein 4g

The nutrition information is a product of online calculators. I try to provide true and accurate information, but these numbers are estimates.

Did you make this recipe?

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Raymond

Friday 29th of December 2023

They were easy (from scratch), but not particularly flavorful, nor crispy. Actually pretty soggy, even after cooking an additional 3-4 minutes. No comparison to frying. None.

southernhomeexpress

Friday 29th of December 2023

Hi Raymond. I'm sorry this recipe didn't work out for you because it's one of our favorites. I get crispy, flavorful results when I follow this recipe. There may be several issues that made your fries soggy and not flavorful. First of all, sometimes the type of potato can hinder good results, so if you want to try again, choose a different potato. As for flavor, you can add whatever seasonings you like. What works for my family might not work for yours.

Carlee

Sunday 2nd of August 2020

Yum! I am going to have to break out the air fryer and make some tonight!

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