Homemade French Fries in Air Fryer

4.88 from 565 votes
Jump to Recipe

This post contains affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Crispy crunchy air fryer fries can be tricky to get perfect, every time – I designed this air fryer recipe to work – every time – for a side your whole family will crave!

I came up with this recipe when I was frustrated with french fry recipes that were confusing and lacked that perfect, double-fried crunch my kids and I were craving. This recipe is one that just always works – my friends and I swear by it and have for years – I’m going to share why!

Air fried french fries in a glass jar.

Don’t want all the extras in a recipe post? We provide a skip to recipe button in the top left corner, as well as a clickable table of contents, just below, to help make this page easier to navigate.

At Sweet C’s, I add lots of tips in all of my recipes – because I am a home cook without any formal training, and I find I am more confident making dishes when I understand why it works, and what each ingredient means to the flavor of a recipe – my goal is for even the most beginner home cook to feel empowered in the kitchen.

I want each reader to walk away with a solid knowledge of each recipe, with all of the tips I’ve gathered from extensive testing of each recipe. I also answer questions my friends and family have asked about my recipes, to help everyone better understand the processes we use – and why!

crispy fried french fries in a red paper sleeve

Crunchy Air Fryer Fries

This recipe is one of my favorite recipes to use with my Ninja Foodi – just like my popular air fryer chicken drumsticks recipe, and Air Fryer Steaks recipe, Air Fryer Tri Tip Steak, and Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak that all do really well in an instant pot with a crisping lid! For another take on these fries, be sure to check out my Lemon Garlic Air Fryer French Fries – the lemon pepper and garlic seasoning can’t be beat!

I also LOVE to dip these fries in my Zhoug (Skhug) Sauce – its a spicy, tangy, totally addictive sauce I fell in love with in Israel.

Air fryers provide lightning-quick cook times and easy cleanup – with about 2 tablespoons of oil instead of quarts like a traditional deep fryer – but, they are a bit of a misnomer – as they don’t actually fry anything. Instead, air fryers work more as a small convection-like appliance to crisp and heat foods evenly. They also don’t heat up your whole kitchen like an oven!

I hope you love this recipe as much as we do!

crispy air fried french fries in a jar

Ingredients for French Fries in Air Fryer

To make this recipe, you’ll need:

  • 3 large russet potatoes – we love russets for their rich, buttery taste, and how the starch works to puff and crisp perfectly in the air fryer. Russet potatoes have the classic, rich, potatoey flavor everyone loves. You can peel the potatoes or leave the peel on – but be sure to wash it well.
  • 2-3 tablespoons olive oil – use a good quality olive oil that you love the flavor of. You can change up the flavor of your fries by using flavored oils like garlic oil, chile oil, etc.
  • Sea salt and pepper, to taste – I like to finish fries with either maldon salt or powdered salt for the light, salty flavor that distributes evenly.

How to make French Fries in Air Fryer

Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, we will use the following method:

  • Prep. Using a mandoline, slice the potatoes into fries. I don’t worry too much about the size of fry I am making- some are bigger, and some are smaller. That’s fine!
  • Soak. Next, place your spuds in a nice cool water bath. Completely submerge the fries in water. Let fries sit one hour. This helps to remove excess starch and will help the fries crisp up more in the oven.
  • Preheat. Preheat air fryer to 375 degrees. After an hour, drain the water, and pat fries dry with a paper towel.
  • Season. Toss with a couple tablespoons of olive oil, salt and pepper.
  • Air fry. Add fries to bottom of air fryer basket, making sure they are all on the same level (don’t stack them on top of each other.) Cook 13 minutes, until crispy and golden brown. Place on a baking sheet lined with paper towels and a cooling rack over it. Place in warm oven (set to the minimum temperature, not over 250 degrees) and let rest while other batches of fries are cooking.
  • Enjoy! Serve hot, with French Fry Sauce!
french fries in a glass jar

How long to Air Fry French Fries

French fries in the air fryer cook pretty quickly – they should take about 13 minutes, depending on how thinly they are cut.

Air Fryer Fries Tips

Click here to see our web story for this post.

Season fries. This recipe is so delicious because it can be made with all sorts of different flavors and seasonings to customize to your preferences – try some of these easy ideas, or come up with your own!

  • Onion powder or garlic powder over oiled fries for a bit more flavor.
  • Herbs de provence salt for a rustic French twist.
  • Cajun seasoning sprinkled over fries gives a spicy Five Guys like french fry flavor – straight from your air fryer.
  • Brush fries in the final 15 minutes of baking time with butter, diced garlic, and finely diced parsley for sinfully rich garlic butter fries.

Use Russet Potatoes. Russet potatoes give a classic french fry flavor. Leave skins on, but be sure to wash potatoes well and scrub off any excess dirt, remove any eyes or bruises.

Use a mandoline to cut fries. Cut potatoes with a mandoline for easy, perfect sticks that will crisp up well.

Soak fries. Make sure your fries soak for at least one hour in a large bowl of cold water – preferably changing the water after 20 minutes or 30 minutes with fresh new cold water. Soaking in water helps remove some of the starch, which will help them crisp up better!

Dry fries well after soaking. Make sure your fries are very very dry after soaking. Pat them with paper towels or a clean dish towel to be sure there is no residual moisture. Wet fries = soggy fries.

Cook in Single Layer. Allowing fries to have room away from each other while air frying helps them cook faster and get crunchier. Fries that have plenty of space to cook should not stick to the air fryer basket and should come out with a gentle shaking of the basket. Sometimes I will add more fries to the basket and simply increase cook time a few minutes, shaking often to make sure the heat is evenly distributed.

Adjust cooktime as needed. I watch my french fries closely while cooking, and make adjustments as needed. Every oven and air fryer is different, and I’ve noticed a ton of things impact cook time and even something as small as the humidity in the air can impact cook time.

Rest air fries in warm oven. I line a baking sheet with paper towels and place a cooling rack over it. When each batch is done from the air fryer, I toss them on the cooling rack and pop the baking sheet in the oven. I set the oven as low as possible – about 200-250 degrees at the most- to keep the fries warm.

This also lets any excess oil drip off, and prevents fries from becoming cold or soggy.

What Air Fryer To Use. As far as what kind of air fryer you can use to make french fries, it truly is anything goes – but the hotter you can get your air fryer, the better! I have a Phillips Air Fryer I got from my parents – and we’re loving it! Click here to buy a crisping lid for your instant pot. If you need to buy an Instant Pot Duo Crisp click here – to buy a crisping lid, click here.

Serve with dipping sauce! Whether its ketchup, Spicy Whipped Feta, mayo, Easy Homemade Blue Cheese Dip, or French Fry Sauce – fries are delicious when you dip them into something!

Crispy air fried sweet potato fries in a bowl on a wooden table.

Air Fryer French Fries FAQs

How long to air fry french fries?

Air fryer french fries take about 20 minutes to cook.

What air fryer should I use for crunchy air fryer fries?

This recipe was designed after testing in the Instant Pot Air fryer, Instant Pot with Crisping Lid broiler function, Ninja Foodi + Broiler lid, and the Phillips Air Fryer. Cooktime was slightly different with each appliance, but each resulted in perfect air fryer fries. Check fries as you cook to make sure they are done to your preference!

What type of potatoes should I use for air fryer french fries?

We personally love the classic potato flavor of russet potatoes for this recipe, but Yukon Golds work well too.

Can I skip soaking potatoes?

While you can skip soaking your potatoes before frying, the potatoes will have a harder time crisping up since they won’t have given off some of their starch. Letting potatoes release starch helps them crisp and allows the outside to get crunchy while still light and airy inside!

Do I need to dry potatoes before air frying?

For this recipe it is essential to pat potatoes dry of any water so that the olive oil can stick to the potatoes and help crisp them up without getting soggy.

Do I need to peel the potatoes for air fryer French fries?

It’s a matter of personal preference. You can leave the skin on for added texture and flavor, or peel the potatoes if you prefer a smoother texture.

Can I season the fries with spices and herbs?

Absolutely! Season the fries with your favorite spices such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, or herbs like rosemary or thyme before air frying for added flavor.

How do I keep the fries warm and crispy before serving?

You can place the cooked fries on a wire rack in a single layer in a warm oven (around 200°F or 93°C) to keep them warm and maintain their crispiness until serving.

What dipping sauces go well with french fries?

Common dipping sauces include ketchup, mayonnaise, aioli, BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, or cheese sauce. You can also get creative with homemade sauces or seasonings. We also love our French Fry Sauce.

What temperature and time should I set on the air fryer for French fries?

Preheat your air fryer to 375-400°F (190-200°C). Cook the fries for about 15-20 minutes, shaking or flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy.

Can I make this recipe with sweet potatoes?

These French fries are simple and delicious – and can be used with sweet potatoes, too! You will need to adjust cooking time for crispness with the sweet potatoes for sweet potato fries, but the rest of the recipe can remain the same.

Are potatoes healthy?

Potatoes, while a starch, contain many health benefits when eaten in moderation. For more information on the health benefits of potatoes, consider this potato nutrition guide.

Crispy sweet potato fries served in a bowl on a table.

What to serve with air fried french fries

If you’re looking for other delicious, easy air fryer sides like these french fries, be sure to check out our Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak Recipe, Air Fryer Cinnamon Raisin Bagels, The Best Air Fryer Baked Potato Recipe, Air Fryer Pumpkin Bundt Cake, Air Fryer Naked Chicken Tenders, Air Fryer Salsa Chicken Thighs Recipe, The Best Air Fryer Bacon Recipe and some of our recent favorite air fryer recipes below:

To find our entire air fryer recipe index, click here.

Glass jar filled with crispy air fried french fries.

If you love the best easy air fryer french fries recipe as much as I do, please give it a five star review and help me share on facebook and pinterest! 

crispy air fried french fries in a glass jar

Only have 30 minutes to get dinner on the table? Sign up for my 30 minute dinner plans direct to your inbox!
Find and shop my favorite products in my Amazon storefront here!

Want to save this recipe?
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week – and be sure to tag @sweetcsdesigns on social media – I love to see your creations!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

More Like this from Sweet C’s Designs

4.88 from 565 votes

Crispy Air Fryer Fries

By: Courtney ODell
Servings: 6 servings
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Soaking Time: 1 hour
Total: 1 hour 25 minutes
Crispy sweet potato fries in a black bowl.
Crispy, crunchy, healthier than deep fried air fryer french fries are a perfect, delicious, easy side dish everyone loves!

Ingredients 

  • 3 large russet potatoes
  • 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
  • Sea salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions 

  • Using a mandoline or sharp knife, slice the potatoes into fries. I don't worry too much about the size of fry I am making- some are bigger, and some are smaller. That's fine!
  • Next, place your spuds in a nice cool water bath. Completely submerge the fries in water.
  • Let fries sit one hour. This helps to remove excess starch and will help the fries crisp up more in the oven.
  • Preheat air fryer to 375 degrees.
  • After an hour, drain the water, and pat fries dry with a paper towel.
  • Toss with a couple tablespoons of olive oil, salt and pepper.
  • Add fries to bottom of air fryer basket, making sure they are all on the same level (don't stack them on top of each other.)
  • Cook 15-20 minutes, until crispy and golden brown.
  • Place on a baking sheet lined with paper towels and a cooling rack over it.
  • Place in warm oven (set to the minimum temperature, not over 250 degrees) and let rest while other batches of fries are cooking.
  • Serve hot and enjoy.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 205kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 4gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 70mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Side dishes
Cuisine: air fryer
Tried this recipe?Mention @sweetcsdesigns or tag #sweetcsdesigns!

About Courtney

Courtney loves to share great wine, good food, and loves to explore far flung places- all while masting an everyday elegant and easy style at lifestyle blog Sweet Cโ€™s Designs. Sweet C's devoted to finding the best food and drinks you'll want to make or find, around the world!

You May Also Like

4.88 from 565 votes (563 ratings without comment)

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




71 Comments

  1. Pat says:

    I received a Philips XXL turbo avance and am on a learning curve, so I appreciate your input in my learning experience!

  2. Andy says:

    I for one cannot stand these insanely long dissertations for something as simple as making French fries! You have to scroll, and scroll and SCROLL! just to get to the actual recipe for crying out loud! Give me a break! This isn’t Beef Wellington it’s just a French fry!

    1. Courtney ODell says:

      You can click the “skip to recipe” button in the top left corner if you don’t want the extra information.

    2. Gaga says:

      Says a person who doesn’t like to waste time, then writes a lengthy comment, wasting time.

      1. Jean says:

        Awesome recipe. I didnโ€™t have time to soak them and I thought they still turned out great. Just did a quick rinse in cold water and dried them.
        Thank you for sharing!

    3. Truth says:

      Yes, what is with these bloggers who think we want the history of the potato before the recipe?

      1. Carolyn says:

        Just wanted to thank Jill for posting that article, it was an interesting read and made a lot of good points.

      2. Sally says:

        Some people are just SO RUDE! She is putting out free content and as a thanks she has to read all of your trashy rude comments. Honestly… Go to a bookstore and buy a cookbook instead. Just because you are misserable, you don’t have to suck the creativity and positive energy out of everyone.

      3. Kimberley White says:

        This is how she makes her income. There is a button to take you to the recipe.
        By the way, I made these tonight and they were fantastic!!!

    4. Victoria says:

      Andy, CHILL. She is putting this out for free, you entitled jerk. Also, if you took a second to read the content you scrolled through, you’d see they were tips to HELP YOU.

    5. Dallas says:

      There w is a button at the top that says “Jump to Recipe” it’s a lifesaver. I do agree though, no need for a life story before a recipe.

      1. Courtney ODell says:

        The life story is all answers to questions I get on this recipe. If I donโ€™t put it in the post, people donโ€™t see it and complain. If I do, people hurl insults at me and complain. Canโ€™t win when posting FREE recipes.

      2. Kimberley White says:

        I appreciate the work you put into it, and am thankful for the FREE recipes!

  3. Mike says:

    First let me thank you for this recipe, I do appreciate the time you took to do this. However, I don’t think I’m going to like my new air fryer, which is similar to yours. I bought my air fryer because I thought it would cook quicker and be healthier. I suppose it is healthier, but quicker it is not. Look at your picture, in order for me to feed my family an order of french fries, I would have to cook for about 2 hours (3 adults and 3 children). I’m not sure this is the way to go, because you can’t cook big enough portions for a family. For one person, it’s probably great. This is the first recipe I’m going to try in my new fryer but I’m just cooking one fryer layer just to try it out. Thank you.

    1. Courtney ODell says:

      I totally get that, Mike. It’s a problem for sure. I just bought a bigger air fryer to see if I can do faster batches with more.

  4. Marilyn Tolan says:

    I only have Yukon God potatoes. Can I use those? TY.

    1. Courtney ODell says:

      Yes! They will have a different taste, but they still work!

      1. Amber says:

        Not sure your still reading comments on this but would this work with an oven that has an air fryer option in it?

      2. Katherine says:

        I have not tried this with an oven with an air fryer option but I expect it will work just the same, maybe take a little longer and I expect they would cook on a sheet pan in a single layer. Please let us know how it goes. Thank you!

      3. MarySC says:

        When making fries for the entire family, I prep the potatoes like you do and then put them in a single layer on a rack over a baking sheet and bake them in the oven on convection. They take a bit longer because the convection (which is just hot air flow) isnโ€™t as powerful in the larger space of the regular sized oven as in an air fryer, but if you have a mega rack and baking sheet you can do a really large amount at once and they are great. (Even store bought frozen fries are much better cooked this way!)

      4. Katherine says:

        That would be easier when making fries for a crowd, thanks for the comment!