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Air Fryer French Fries

Air Fryer French Fries

Name: Air Fryer French Fries
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 1 1/2 lb russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch wide sticks; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 1/2 teaspoon salt

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By Pillsbury Kitchens

Updated Aug 6, 2024

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French fries are an undeniably popular side or snack that go with just about anything. And just about everybody loves French fries. But frying them up is messy and time consuming—until now. With an air fryer, French fries are easier than ever.

The air fryer is an easy and fast way to make French fries at home. And this recipe for homemade Air fryer French Fries is designed to be as simple as possible, while still leaving you freedom to make the recipe your own.

Whether you’re cooking burgers and fries, fish and chips, or just a basket of fries to pass around the table, Pillsbury has the most perfectly simple Air Fryer French Fries recipe to get you cooking as soon as possible.

So, let’s take a closer look at how to make air fryer fries!

How to Make Air Fryer French Fries

Prep Potatoes

First, you’ll need to prep your potatoes. You can peel them if you like, but it’s not required. Then slice them into 1/2-inch wide sticks.

Remove Excess Starch

In a large bowl, rinse to remove excess starch from your fries-to-be. You can also soak them to get even more starch out. Then simply pat them dry, toss with oil and salt, and put them in the basket of your air fryer.

Cook at 350°F

Once you start the air fryer, you just have a few steps left in this easy Air Fryer French Fries recipe. All you have to do is shake the basket a few times, and the result will be perfectly crispy air fryer fries. See below for complete instructions, but you’ll want to let them cook for 7 minutes at a time, shaking in between, and turning up the heat on the last round to give your air fryer French fries that classic golden color. Fries should be crispy on the outside and still somewhat firm on the inside. To check if they’re done, simply snap one in half. You’re looking for a crispy exterior, and a light yet firm inside. If you let one cool down a bit, you can simply do a taste test.

Storing and Reheating Leftover Air Fryer Fries

Similar to restaurant fries, your leftover air fryer French fries can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container. When it’s time to reheat, simply pop them into the air fryer for 3 to 5 minutes to get them warm and crispy again.

For longer storage, you can put them in the freezer for up to 3 months. As opposed to store bought frozen French fries, these will keep that homemade flavor you love. Ensure that the container is airtight, both to maintain freshness, and to keep them from freezing together. To reheat, you can let them thaw and reheat like refrigerated fries or pop them right in the air fryer frozen, and cook for about 15 minutes, shaking the basket a few times throughout.

Seasoning Ideas

For most, a simple dash of salt and cup of ketchup is the perfect pairing for homemade air fryer French fries. But why not spice things up a bit? A sprinkle of spice is a great way to elevate the flavor of your French fries.

Ranch

Add a packet of ranch seasoning spice blend to give fries a sweet savory burst of flavor, perfect for a bistro-inspired taste that’s great with burgers or satisfying on its own as a passable snack.

Parmesan

Grated Parmesan cheese over the top of freshly-cooked homemade air fryer fries transforms them into an Italian-style cheesy side dish. For an extra-intense flavor, try adding garlic powder, oregano, or any other Italian spices you love!

Cajun

If you really want to bring the spice, Cajun spices like paprika, cayenne, and black or white pepper add a zesty flavor that’s perfect for a cookout.

Other Easy & Delicious Potato Recipes

Air fryer French fries are an amazing—and amazingly easy—way to get your potato fix. But there are so many possibilities for simply spectacular potato sides.

For a go-to side dish that fits with any meal, Easy Oven-Roasted Potatoes are a surefire winner at dinner time. The simple seasoning combination of dried rosemary, salt, and pepper gives it a versatile flavor profile that pairs perfectly with a wide range of main dishes.

Fire up the air fryer again with these Air Fryer Rosemary Potatoes! Savory rosemary and oil infuse hearty red potatoes with incredible flavor for an extremely versatile side dish.

The classic potato’s colorful cousin can transform simple side dishes into super flavorful experiences. Check out a few easy sweet potato recipes that bring smiles any time of year!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Need to Soak the Potatoes Before Air Frying?

While it’s not strictly necessary, soaking your potatoes before you air fry can draw out starch from the center of the potato, resulting in homemade air fryer fries with a perfectly crispy, golden exterior, and soft, fluffy interior. Excess starch in potatoes makes them take longer to brown, so when you soak your potatoes, that makes the exterior start to crisp up sooner in the cooking process.

If you do choose to soak your potatoes, submerge them completely in cold water for at least 15 minutes. You can also leave them in their cold bath overnight if you’ve got the time, just make sure to pat them dry before you throw them on the heat. Because the last thing you want is for your air fryer French fries to be soggy!

What Type of Potatoes Should I Use?

For restaurant-style French fries, go with russet potatoes. They’ll give you a crispy outside and drier inside that gives them a distinctive, satisfying crunch. Especially if you plan to top or dip your fries, russet potatoes will give you a substantial base to work with.

For a richer potato flavor and a firm, creamy interior, Yukon Gold potatoes are a better choice. Naturally lower in starch than russets, Yukon Golds will give your air fryer French fries a touch of naturally buttery potato flavor.

How Thick Should I Cut the Potatoes?

This Air Fryer French Fries recipe calls for sticks that are about half an inch each, but there isn’t a hard and fast rule about how thick or thin they should be. Ultimately, it comes down to your personal preference. If you like them thin and crispy, slice them a bit thinner. If you want a thicker, fluffier French fry, you’re free to make each slice bigger. Keep in mind that the thickness will affect cooking time. Thinner fries will get crispier faster, and will need to come out sooner or you risk burning them.

What’s the Best Shape for Air Fryer French Fries?

What’s your favorite French fry shape? When you make them in the air fryer, French fries can be cut any way you like. Classic straight-cut, or funky crinkle-cut, it’s your call.

Why not get creative? Slice your French fries into zig-zagging lightning bolt shapes or triangle-shaped wedges to add an unexpected visual flair to your homemade air fryer French fries. Just keep an eye on your cooking time. Once again: the thinner the fry, the faster it will cook, and vice versa.