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How To Make My Crispy Air Fryer French Fries Recipe

Published by: Chef Alison Stringer • Updated: January 25, 2024 • Checked By: Chef Matty Riedel

Quick and easy to make, my excellent air fryer French fries recipe makes the perfect crunchy, salty side dish (or whole meal if you’re craving some fries). As we know, French fries are usually deep fried, most times even twice, in oil to get their delicious crispiness. Although we love them, deep-fried French fries contain many calories and excess fat from the oil. Air fryers instead act as counter-convection ovens, using hot air and little or minimal oil to fry food. In addition to being healthier, you won’t have to deal with recycling your fryer oil, heat and ensure your oil is at the ideal temperature, and take the time to fry all of your fries deeply. My favourite thing about air fryers is you just set and forget! 

Now, onto the good stuff. Let’s get cooking! 

Air Fryer French Fries Recipe

Air Fryer French Fries Recipe
Click The Stars Below To Rate This Recipe:
5 from 2 votes
PREP TIME 10 minutes
COOK TIME 45 minutes
TOTAL TIME 1 hour 20 minutes
COURSE Side Dish, Snacks
CUISINE British
SERVINGS 4 people
CALORIES 199 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 4 medium size starchy potatoes
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt plus more for sprinkling after frying
  • Black pepper to taste 

Method
 

  • If needed, preheat the air fryer to 200 degrees Celsius. Check your air fryer’s manuals for instructions.   
  • Fill a medium size bowl with cold water. Clean potatoes and peel, if desired. Leaving the skin helps with the crispiness!
  • Slice the potatoes into fries by first ½ – ¾ centimeter planks then evenly into sticks.
  • Place the fries into the water and allow them to sit for 30-60 minutes to remove some of the starch.  
  • Drain the fries and dry thoroughly.
  • Place the fries back into the dry bowl. Drizzle with the olive oil, salt and pepper. Mix well to ensure the fries are evenly coated. 
  • For extra crispy fries, place a single layer of fries into the air fryer basket. Make sure there is a little room between the fries for maximum airflow. If you are short on time, you can also add a double layer, but they may need to cook slightly longer.
  • Place the basket into the air fryer and cook on 200 degrees Celsius for 15-20 minutes, or until they reach the desired crispiness. Half way through, be sure to take out the basket and either shake them around or use tongs to flip them over.
  • Once finished, place in a clean serving bowl and sprinkle with additional salt or seasoning, if desired.
  • Repeat with the remaining fries. Depending on the size of your air fryer this could take between 2-4 rounds.
Chefs Tips
Nutritional Information
Calories: 199kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 5gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 592mgPotassium: 888mgFiber: 3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 2IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 2mg
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Air Fryer French Fries
Air Fryer French Fries
Air Fryer French Fries
Air Fryer French Fries
Air Fryer French Fries
Air Fryer French Fries
Air Fryer French Fries

Some air fryers require preheating; check your manual for the proper instructions, but if yours needs preheating, this is the time. Preheat your air fryer to 200 degrees Celsius.  

Keeping the skin on or peeling first is a personal choice, but I choose to leave my skin on. I find they crisp up better this way. Pro tip: if you do decide to peel, place a paper towel on your counter or cutting board and peel your potato directly on it. This makes for a much easier cleanup. If keeping the skin on, clean your potatoes of any dirt. Peeled or not, slice your potatoes to the desired size. 

For ultimate crispiness, soaking your cut potatoes in water for 30 minutes to 1 hour helps to remove some of the starch, which allows the fries to crisp up better. Before you cut your potatoes, prepare a bowl with some cold water. Slice your potatoes and submerge them directly into the water. I like to cut mine to be about ½ – ¾ centimetres thick. Cutting your fries to equal sizes is important to ensure even cooking. After they are done soaking, be sure to pat them dry. If you do not correctly dry your potatoes, they may become soggy. Once dry, place your fries in a large bowl. Lightly drizzle with oil. I chose olive oil, but use whatever oil you prefer. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss to evenly coat. This is where you can get creative and add a few extra spices like paprika or oregano. 

Finally, it’s time to air fry! My air fryer happens to have a handy “fries” button, but if yours does not, set the air fryer to 200 degrees Celsius. For crispy fries, but sure not to crowd your air fryer! Spread your potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket in batches. Make sure there is a little space between each fry. This helps air circulate and gives the first that perfect crisp. If you are short on time, this recipe will still work if you add a seconded layer of fries. I wouldn’t recommend any more than that. If you add a second layer, please note that each batch may take a few extra minutes to crisp up fully. Fry the fries for 15-20 minutes or until the desired level of crispiness. Around halfway, take out the basket and shake it around or flip it with tongs. Fry until they are crispy and golden brown. Be sure to taste one to make sure it’s to your liking.  

Note – some air fryers may take slightly longer or shorter. Be sure to check on them halfway. If they aren’t crispy enough after the time is up, simply fry them a little longer. Your air fryer, the thickness of the fries, the amount of oil, and how you laid them out can change the amount of time needed.  

Once done, place the crispy fries in a bowl and toss with a little extra salt or any additional seasoning, if desired. Repeat the process with the remaining fries. In the end, toss them all together. If you would like to reheat the fries, once finished, you can place them all into the fryer basket together and reheat at 200 degrees Celsius for 2-3 minutes. Don’t worry about the single layer or space between the fries here!  


Air Fryer French Fries Recipe: Summing Up

Serve them up with your favourite sauces and dips, and enjoy! If you’re feeling creative, add in extra spices. As mentioned, some can be added before frying. I love using some flavoured salts, such as a Mediterranean blend, to sprinkle over them once finished. Feel free to toss in some herbs and parmesan for a delicious dish! 

If you also love a baked potato (and who doesn’t!), try our Air Fryer Baked Potatoes.

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Chef Alison Stringer
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