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Make crispy Air Fryer French Fries with only 3 ingredients. This is such an easy side dish or snack that is ready in 15 minutes.

Plate of French fries with ketchup.
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Crispy, crunchy fries make an easy side dish with just about anything. They are tender on the inside and perfectly crispy on the outside. The air fryer makes it very simple to enjoy French fries without a lot of oil or mess.

However if you like deep frying French fries try our homemade french fries recipe. This recipe is much better than frozen fries and tastes just like a restaurant.

Speaking of restaurant quality you might also like our Homemade Corn Dogs, onion rings and our fried pickles.

Why We Love This Recipe

I love making thicker-cut fries and these air fryer fries make the perfect side dish to many recipes. It makes it less messy when making them in the air fryer and so easy to do.

Ingredients

Ingredients for recipe: oil, salt, potatoes
  • Russet Potatoes
  • Olive Oil – You can also vegetable oil
  • Salt

Scroll to the bottom for the full list of ingredients and recipe in the recipe card.

Different Seasoning Ideas

  • Red Pepper Flakes, Cayenne Pepper or Chili Powder. Heat things up by using one of these seasoning choices on the fries. Adjust the amount based on how spicy you like things.
  • Cajun Seasoning. I love seasoned fries and Cajun seasoning gives the fries the perfect amount of flavor.
  • Parmesan Garlic – Sprinkle garlic powder on the fries and drizzle with a little olive oil. Then sprinkle Parmesan cheese on the fries. Fresh Parmesan is best if you have it.
  • Italian Seasoning- You can try this easy homemade Italian seasoning. I bet you already have what you need in the pantry.

Step by Step Instructions

  • Step 1 – First, peel the potatoes. Then cut the potatoes into 1/4″ slices making sure they are all the same size with sharp knife. This will help them to cook evenly.
  • Step 2 – Second, put the potatoes once you cut them in a large bowl with the olive oil or large bowl of cold water. Make sure the potatoes are coated in the oil by tossing them. Then sprinkle with the salt.
Potatoes cut into strips on cutting board.
  • Step 3 – Next, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees. If your air fryer does not have a preheat option, it is ok. You can run the air fryer at 400 degrees for 5 minutes.
  • Step 4 – Once the air fryer has warmed up, put the potatoes in the air fryer basket. Make sure to put them in a single layer so that they do not overlapping. They need plenty of room so the air circulates around them and makes them crispy. You may have to do more than one batch depending on the size of your air fryer.
  • Step 5 – Finally, allow the fries to air fry for 12 to 15 minutes. You will need to flip the potatoes halfway through the cook time.
  • Step 6 – Make sure the potatoes are cooked all the way through and crispy. Then place the Air Fryer Fries on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil. Salt and pepper to taste.

Recipe Tips

  • Russet potatoes make the most classic French fries. They crisp nicely and turn out great. You can use Yukon Gold but they have a richer sweeter taste than Russet. The inside is also creamer.
  • This is optional but for extra crispy fries, soak the uncooked fries in cold water for 1 hour. This removes part of the starch in the potatoes and will result in crispy French fries.
  • Make sure to pat dry the fries really good before you coat them in olive oil. You don’t want any excess moisture as it will result in soggy fries.
  • It is important to cut the fries all the same size. A mandolin slicer will help to do this if you have trouble cutting them all the same size with a knife.
  • We peeled our potatoes but you do not have to. You can leave he peeling on for extra texture.
  • Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. The French fries need to be placed in a single layer so the air can properly circulate around them. This will help them to crisp nicely. You will find this common in many air fryer recipes as the basket does not need to be too full.
French fries in air fryer basket.

How to Serve

  • homemade ketchup – My favorite dipping sauce is ketchup and it is so easy to make homemade.
  • Cheese- Sprinkle your favorite shredded cheese on top of the fries and make cheese fries.
  • Ranch Homemade ranch dressing is delicious with fries and also with cheese fries.
  • Bacon – My kids love when I add crumbled bacon on top. Try this easy air fryer bacon recipe.
  • Queso So easy and tastes just like at a re
  • Cheese Dip Homemade cheese sauce is perfect for dipping.
  • Chili You can make chili cheese fries. Top the fries with chili and shredded cheese or cheese dip.

Can you Prepare the Potatoes Ahead of Time?

You certainly can. Cut the potatoes as normal and place them in a bowl of cold water. Make sure they are completely submerged in the water.

Place in the fridge until you want to cook them. They need to be dried really well before cooking.

This is a great time saving tip since cutting the potatoes takes the most time. You can make this easy side dish even faster by doing the prep work ahead of time.

What if the Fries aren’t Crispy?

Cook the fries longer to get the desired level of crispiness. Check them at about 12 minutes and if they are still not crispy enough, cook for 3 more minutes.

Plate of French fries with ketchup.

How to Store Leftovers

Put the leftover French fries inside airtight container in the fridge. They will keep up to 5 to 7 days.

How to Reheat

Reheat the leftover homemade air fryer French fries in the air fryer for 2 to 3 minutes to make them crispy again.

More Air Fryer Recipes

  • Air Fryer Hamburgers – Air fryer hamburgers are delicious and so easy to prepare. Enjoy juicy and flavor packed burgers in just minutes thanks to the air fryer.
  • Air Fryer Hot Dogs – Air fryer hot dogs takes just minutes for a quick weeknight meal. Get dinner on the table fast and enjoy a frugal and tasty dinner.
  • Air fryer Fried shrimp – They are perfectly crispy and golden brown. Get dinner on the table in less than 10 minutes with this easy recipe.

More Air Fryer Side Dish Recipes

If you love using your air fryer, then make this homemade French Fries in air fryer recipe. Please leave us a comment.

Air Fryer French Fries

4.88 from 8 votes
Make crispy air fryer french fries with only 3 ingredients. This is such an easy side dish or snack that is ready in 15 minutes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 6
Cuisine American
Course Side Dish
Calories 220

Ingredients

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Instructions

  • Peel and cut the potatoes into ¼ inch strips of similar size.
  • Place the cut potatoes and olive oil in a large bowl. Toss to thoroughly coat the potatoes with the olive oil and then season them with the salt.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. If the air fryer does not have a preheat option, then run the air fryer at 400 degrees F for 5 minutes.
  • Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer so that they are not overlapping (you may have to work in batches depending on the size of your air fryer).
  • Cook for 12-15 minutes (flipping the potatoes halfway through the cook time) until the potatoes are cooked through and crispy.
  • After the cook time. move the fries to a plate lined with paper towels.
  • Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauces.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 220kcal, Carbohydrates 41g, Protein 5g, Fat 5g, Saturated Fat 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat 1g, Monounsaturated Fat 3g, Sodium 399mg, Potassium 946mg, Fiber 3g, Sugar 1g, Vitamin A 2IU, Vitamin C 13mg, Calcium 30mg, Iron 2mg

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

4.88 from 8 votes (8 ratings without comment)

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