Air-Fryer French Fries: Homemade, Healthy, And Delicious!

Yes, you can make homemade French fries in an air fryer. They will be just as crispy and crunchy as regular fries but with far less oil. The process is simple: cut your potatoes into fries, rinse them, dry them, season them, and then cook them in the air fryer.

How to prepare potatoes for homemade french fries in an air fryer

Preparing homemade French fries in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep-fried potatoes, as they require far less oil. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you prepare potatoes for delicious, crispy air-fried French fries:

Step 1: Choosing the Right Potatoes

Start by selecting the right type of potatoes. Russet potatoes are the best option for French fries due to their thick skins and starchy, fluffy flesh. They maintain their shape and texture even at high temperatures. Alternatively, you can also use Yukon Gold potatoes, which are a good second choice.

Step 2: Cutting the Potatoes

Cut the potatoes into evenly sized pieces, about 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick. This will ensure that they cook evenly in the air fryer. Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise, then lay each half cut-side down and cut them into slices. Finally, cut these slices into fries. Aim for them to be similar in size so they cook at the same rate.

Step 3: Rinsing and Soaking

After cutting the potatoes, rinse them in cold water to remove excess starch. This step is important to ensure crispy fries. For even better results, you can soak the cut potatoes in cold water for an hour or even overnight in the fridge. Soaking helps remove starch, which will make the potatoes crisp up better.

Step 4: Drying the Potatoes

Once you're done rinsing or soaking, make sure to dry the potatoes thoroughly. Use paper towels or a clean kitchen towel to pat them dry. This step is crucial, as any residual moisture can lead to soggy fries.

Step 5: Seasoning

Toss the cut and dried potatoes in a bowl with olive oil, salt, and any other seasonings of your choice. You can also add spices like black pepper, smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, or rosemary. Make sure all surfaces of the potatoes are evenly coated before placing them in the air fryer.

Step 6: Air Frying

Preheat your air fryer to 375-400°F (190-200°C). Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap. Work in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding. Air fry for 12-20 minutes, tossing or flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy.

Step 7: Reheating and Serving

If you're making a large batch, you can reheat the fries in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes before serving. Serve your homemade French fries with your favorite dipping sauces, such as ketchup, fry sauce, garlic aioli, or even something creative like chipotle sauce or chimichurri.

How to cook homemade french fries in an air fryer

Ingredients

• 2-3 medium-sized russet potatoes
• 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil
• Sea salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional: Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, or Parmesan cheese

Method

• Preheat the air fryer to 375-390°F (190-200°C).
• Cut the potatoes into 1/4-inch strips.
• Rinse the potato slices in cold water and pat dry with a paper towel.
• (Optional) Soak the potatoes in cold water for at least an hour or up to 24 hours. This helps to remove excess starch and will make the fries crispier.
• In a medium-sized bowl, toss the potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like Italian seasoning, paprika, or garlic powder, or even Parmesan cheese.
• Place the fries into the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not touching each other. You may need to work in batches.
• Air fry for 12-20 minutes, tossing halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy.
• (Optional) Once all batches are finished, toss them back into the air fryer for 1-2 minutes to warm up and crisp any that got cold.
• Serve with your favorite dipping sauce, such as ketchup, fry sauce, garlic aioli, or comeback sauce.

Tips

• Russet potatoes are best for a classic French fry flavor and texture, but you can also use Yukon Gold potatoes for a creamier center.
• It is not necessary to peel the potatoes. Leaving the skin on adds flavor, texture, fiber, and nutrients, and saves time!
• For even cooking, cut the potatoes into similar-sized pieces.
• Make sure to dry the potatoes thoroughly after rinsing or soaking, as soggy potatoes will not crisp up properly.
• Work in small batches to ensure proper air circulation and crispiness.

How to get the perfect crispiness for homemade french fries in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• 2-3 medium-sized russet potatoes
• 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil
• Sea salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional: Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, Cajun seasoning, or Parmesan cheese

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 375-400°F (190-200°C).
• Cut the potatoes into 1/4-inch strips.
• Rinse the potato slices in cold water and pat dry with a paper towel.
• (Optional) Soak the potatoes in cold water for 1 hour to overnight. This helps remove excess starch and will make the fries crispier.
• In a medium-sized bowl, toss the potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and any desired seasonings.
• Place the fries into the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between each fry.
• Air fry at 380°F for 12-20 minutes, tossing halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
• (Optional) Toss all the fries together in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes at the end to ensure they are all crispy and warm.
• Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce!

Tips for extra crispiness:

• Cut the potatoes into even-sized strips to ensure uniform cooking.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Work in batches if needed.
• Make sure the potatoes are completely dry before adding oil and seasonings.
• Leave the potato skins on for extra crispiness and flavor.

How to reheat homemade french fries in an air fryer

Yes, you can make homemade French fries in an air fryer! Here is a guide on how to reheat them:

First, preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. While the air fryer is preheating, arrange your French fries in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet or in the air fryer basket. Make sure none of the fries are overlapping. If you have a lot of fries, you may need to cook them in batches.

Once the air fryer is preheated, place the basket of fries inside and cook them for 2-5 minutes. Keep an eye on them, as the exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your fries and the model of your air fryer. You are looking for them to be golden and crispy.

When the fries are heated through and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces!

Tips for the Best Results:

• Preheat your air fryer for about 3 minutes before adding the fries. This will ensure the fries cook at a high heat for a shorter time, helping them to crisp up without drying out.
• Cook the fries in a single layer to allow for good air circulation. If you crowd the air fryer, the fries may not crisp up properly.
• Thinner fries will cook faster than thicker fries, so adjust the cooking time accordingly.
• If your fries are not crisping up after 3 minutes, turn the heat up to 380 degrees Fahrenheit and cook them for a little longer.
• If you have leftover fries, they will keep in the fridge for 3-5 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

What to serve with homemade french fries

Dips and sauces

French fries are often served with dips and sauces. Here are some ideas:

• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Chipotle sauce
• Chimichurri
• Vegan cheese
• Fry sauce
• Mayo
• BBQ sauce
• Ranch dressing
• Cheese sauce
• Aioli
• Garlic aioli
• Spicy whipped feta
• Comeback sauce
• Skillet queso
• Cane's sauce

As a side

French fries can be served as a side to a main dish. Here are some ideas:

• Veggie burgers
• Salads
• Corn on the cob
• Portobello mushroom burger
• Crispy cauliflower Po' Boy sandwich
• BBQ jackfruit sandwiches
• Cheeseburgers
• Chicken nuggets
• Chicken drumsticks
• Chicken fried steak
• Crispy roasted chickpeas
• Sweet potato fries
• Onion rings
• Egg rolls

Loaded fries

You can also turn your French fries into a more substantial meal by loading them up with toppings. Here are some ideas:

• Cheese fries
• Chilli cheese fries
• Poutine
• Loaded tater tots
• Loaded waffle fries
• Cheeseburger nachos
• Nachos
• Chilli cheese waffle fries
• BBQ chicken waffle fries
• Chicken wings and fries

Frequently asked questions