My homemade Air Fryer French Fries are crisp and crunchy and ready in half the time without the mess and grease of classic fried ones. Both the prep and cooking for this recipe are so simple – thinly sliced potatoes lightly tossed in oil and seasoning, then cooked until crispy and crunchy.
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Helpful Reader Review
“😋 I thought these tasted just like 5 guys fries! And they’re definitely healthier.” – Jorobertson ★★★★★
Easy Air Fryer French Fries
These Air Fryer French Fries are a favorite in my home, especially with my kids. Maybe it’s because I live in Idaho, known as potato land, and grew up eating potatoes, but in this case, I know it’s because these fries cook up so quickly and smell amazing. It’s the perfect after-school snack dunked in ketchup or Homemade Ranch. I’m always amazed at how fast they disappear off the tray.
The air fryer method for making homemade French fries is the easiest for cooking fries. Not only are they easy to make, but they are also much healthier than deep frying in oil. They also don’t contain any preservatives or additives like the frozen ones can.
The air fryer is the fastest way to satisfy a craving, and potatoes turn out great when air fried, like our Air Fryer Baked Potatoes. We love making all sorts of things like Air Fryer Chicken Wings, and crispy Air Fryer Bacon.
Ingredients for Air Fryer French Fries
Three simple ingredients make for a really tasty side dish! Don’t wait to treat yourself to these crispy, yummy French fries!
- Potatoes – For this recipe, we use russet potatoes (Idaho potatoes), but you can also use Yukon Gold potatoes which give a creamier center.
- Oil – This recipe calls for olive oil but you can use vegetable oil, canola oil, or any neutral-tasting oil with a high smoke point–that keeps the fries crispy.
- Seasoning – We season the fries with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder, but you can use any of your go-to spices for variety. Try steak seasoning, all-purpose seasoning, taco seasoning, or even Old Bay for a twist.
Natasha’s Pro Tip:
Leaving the potato skins on for fries has several benefits, including more flavor, a great crispy texture, added fiber and nutrients, and, best of all, it SAVES TIME!
How to Make French Fries in Air Fryer
If you’re looking for a quick and easy side dish that pairs with so many meals, you’ll love this easy Air Fryer French Fries recipe. It’s as simple as cut, season, and fry. It’s beginner-friendly and takes a meal to all new levels!
- Scrub Potatoes: we like to keep the skins on so be sure to wash the outside with a scrub brush if necessary. You can also peel them if you prefer. Then, cut the potatoes into 1/4″ sticks.
- Rinse Potatoes: Rinse the cut potatoes under cold water to remove some of the starch (it helps the potato get crispy ) and then, pat dry with a paper towel.
- Season: Add the fries into a bowl and drizzle with oil. Toss, season, and toss again. Until the slices are covered in oil and spices
- Air Fry: Evenly spread the fries into the air fryer basket in a single layer, and then cook in a basket-style air fryer at 380°F or a toaster oven-style air fryer at 360°F for 10 minutes. Toss the fries and then cook for 6 minutes more. They are finished when the fries are crispy and golden.
Pro Tip:
Season the potatoes just before air frying them. If you add salt too early, it will draw moisture out of the potatoes and they won’t be as crispy when air-fried.
Tips for Using an Air Fryer
If you’re new to the Air Fryer life, here are a few things to know to make it easier than ever to make these french fries (and other recipes, too)
- Preheating – There’s no need to preheat the air fryer for this french fry recipe! It really is that easy. There are other recipes that require preheating, but it takes just 2-3 minutes.
- Basket-style Air Fryer vs Toaster-style Air Fryer – both styles work well to make these crispy and crunchy. We like the basket-style here because it’s easier to shake to toss the fries. Keep in mind that toaster oven-style air fryer run hotter than basket-style, so reduce the temperature 20-25°F when using a toaster-style
- Spacing – don’t overcrowd the slices of potato in the basket. This can cause the fries to cook unevenly.
- Timing – Check your french fries as they cook in the air fryer. Food cooks much faster so check early until you get to know your air fryer timings.
Helpful Reader Review
“These were fries were excellent! My husband raved about them. We used Old Bag seasoning on them to replicate fries that are popular in Philadelphia. Thank you for another great recipe!” – Patty ★★★★★
What to serve with Air Fryer French Fries
All you need is a Juicy Burger or classic BLT Sandwich to go with these. When serving fries, the sauce is half the fun! Here are my family-approved sauces:
- Ranch Dip (my son’s favorite)
- Avocado Ranch or Jalapeno Ranch
- Fry Sauce – equal parts Mayonnaise and ketchup (my daughter’s fave)
- Onion ring dipping sauce
Make-Ahead and Storage
- Make-Ahead Tip: It’s easy to make these french fries ahead and then cook in the air fryer when you’re ready to eat. Simply cut the fries and store them submerged in cold water in the fridge until ready. Pat completely dry before cooking.
- To Refrigerate: Store them in an airtight container or zip-top bag in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Freeze for 2 months.
- To Reheat: Cook from frozen or straight out of the fridge. Add the french fries back into the air fryer and cook until heated and re-crisped.
The next time you’re craving fries or just need a crowd-favorite side dish, whip up a batch of these French Fries in the air fryer! This is the quickest way to make them and they turn out extra crispy.
Air Fryer French Fries
Ingredients
- 1 lb russet potatoes, (2 large or 3 medium potatoes)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
- ⅛ tsp ground black pepper, or to taste
- ⅛ tsp garlic powder
- ⅛ tsp paprika
Instructions
- Scrub and clean the potatoes. Cut the potatoes into even ¼-inch thick strips.
- Rinse the fries in cold water and thoroughly pat dry.
- Add the fries into a large bowl, drizzle with the oil, and toss. Sprinkle seasonings over the fries and toss again.
- Transfer the fries to the air fryer basket and cook at 380 for 10 minutes. Toss the French fries and cook for an additional 6-10 minutes until the fries are golden and crispy. Garnish with parsley if desired. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
Nutrition Per Serving
Filed Under
More Easy Potato Recipes
We love potatoes in our family! I think it comes with being Idahoeans, so if you’re potato-fans like we are, try some of our other favorite potato recipes after these Air Fryer French Fries:
- Roasted Potatoes
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes
- Smashed Potatoes Recipe
- Air Fryer Potatoes
- Oven-Baked Potato Wedges
- Baked French Fries (Valentina’s Corner)
Hi! I’m Natasha Kravchuk, a New York Times bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, food photographer, and writer. Here you’ll find delicious, reliable recipes made with simple ingredients, plus easy step-by-step photos and videos to help you cook confidently at home. 
So good! Just all the flavor comes out into the jonshon and more it is so goooood yaaaaa.
I have been baking a lot recently and I have never found such an easy and delicious recipe! Make this with your kids!
Aww, that’s the best! Thank you so much for sharing that with me! I’m so glad you loved this recipe!
So easy and delicious to make! I have been baking a lot recently and I have never found such an easy and delicious recipe! Make this with your kids!
Easy to make…minimal ingredients…..this recipe is a keeper.
Hi Natasha, since football season is approaching, I would love to see you make Texas Cheese Fries 😊
Can vegetable oil be used instead of olive oil?
Hi Stacey! That would be fine.
Thank you. My 13 year old and I just followed your recipe! Can’t wait 🙂
I left a comment a few minutes ago and it magically disappeared.
Reported this website as a potential scam as Valentina Ablaev is not Natasha.
Would love a response.
Thanks for reaching out! I have A couple of friends who are bloggers that occasionally guest post their best recipes on our blog. The Author box at the bottom of the post is how you can tell if it is a guest post recipe. Several of her recipes have become reader favorites on our blog and I know her recipes to be really good. Thank you for the feedback and for checking in on that.
Makes sense. I got wary as I love Natasha’s recipes and hard work as a mother, wife and food artist.
Thank you for replying as I thought it was a scam when I didn’t get an answer the first time. Sorry for any trouble I may have caused.
Why on Natasha’s kitchen is this woman Valentina Ablaev showing up as the recipe author.
Is this a real Natasha Kitchen site or a scam using Natasha?
I will report this.
Thanks for reaching out
I have A couple of friends who are bloggers that occasionally guest post their best recipes on our blog. The Author box at the bottom of the post is how you can tell if it is a guest post recipe. Several of her recipes have become reader favorites on our blog and I know her recipes to be really good. Thank you for the feedback and for checking in on that.
I love this so much! but what tiep of sause is that do you have a recipe for that
Hi Henery! It’s ketchup, but see the section above titled “Serve With” for some other ideas and recipes (the red font words are links you can click on).
😋 I thought these tasted just like 5 guys fries! And they’re definitely healthier.
Great recipe; I suggest doubling the seasoning and adding about 1.5 tbsps of cornstarch prior to oil.
First time using the fryer, thanks for easy n simple instructions, Carolyn
Brand new to air fryers! I have a 6-qt I received as a gift. This recipe for fries is so, so good! This will be my go-to, thank you!
I’m so glad you got an air fryer, JM! That’s so great! I hope you love it!
We thought it was good but we had to cook them a few minutes longer.our dog Misty was begging for them. If the dog approves then it’s good to eat.
Thank you for sharing, Linda!
Great recipe and instructions! The other recipe, don’t let fries touch each other, well that would take like 10 batches for one dinner, this recipe is clear and concise!
Hi! Thank you for this recipe! Does this recipe lead to fries that are crispy on the outside and very soft on the inside?
Hi Grant! Yes, we love the crisp on these and they are soft inside.
Again, you never steer me wrong. These were delicious. You continue to be my go to for air fryer recipes.
Thank you, Linda! So glad you’re enjoying it.
These were fries were excellent! My husband raved about them. We used Old Bag seasoning on them to replicate fries that are popular in Philadelphia.
Thank you for another great recipe!
You’re very welcome, Patty. I’m glad to hear that your husband loved it a lot!
Hi Natasha, Enjoy your Enthusiastic Cooking shows, and my Family just got an air fryer so I’m wondering about Blanching the Taters in boiling water or par-boiling before air frying, Your thoughts?
Vinnie
Hi Vinnie! There is not need to do that, just air fryer directly after prepping/cutting. Make sure all the strands are the same size for even cooking. Rinse the fries under cold water and pat dry, this will help them crisp up.