Perfectly Crispy Air Fryer Fries

Hey everyone! If you bought an air fryer, you probably had this idea that you were going to make French fries from scratch all the time. Don’t lie! Of course, that’s why you bought it. If you’ve tried making them before and were disappointed, you’re in the right place. These perfectly crispy air fryer fries turn out crispy on the outside and perfectly cooked on the inside. And it’s only going to take you 4 extra minutes. Ready? Let’s go!

Ingredients:

• Potatoes: It’s best to use potatoes that are ideal for making French fries, as these will give you the best results. If you don’t know if the potatoes you have are the right kind, just Google “Are xyz potatoes good for French fries?” The general rule is that if they are considered starchy potatoes, they will work well for French fries. Here, I used russet potatoes.
• Olive oil
• Salt

That’s it! You can, of course, add more/different seasoning if you like.

How to Make the Perfectly Crispy Air Fryer Fries:

1. Cutting the Fries: The ideal size for is 6 mm (1/4″) batons. Thicker fries will be less crispy, while thinner ones won’t have enough fluffiness inside.
   • How to cut your potatoes:
     • Cut your potato into 6 mm (1/4″) thick slices.
     • Stack 2 or 3 slices and cut them into 6 mm (1/4″) thick batons.
2. Preparing the Potatoes: As you peel and cut the potatoes, keep them in water. This prevents them from oxidizing and turning brown.
3. Parboiling (THE ULTIMATE TRICK): Boil the potatoes for 4 minutes. This step is crucial for achieving that perfect texture.
4. Rinsing: Rinse the potatoes to stop them from cooking. This is an important step; otherwise, your potatoes will break when you transfer them to the air fryer. Learn from my mistakes!
5. Air Frying:
   • Transfer the potatoes to your air fryer basket. Make sure not to crowd the basket.
   • Coat the potatoes with olive oil and salt to taste or any other seasoning you want to add.
   • Shake the basket every couple of minutes to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking.

That’s it!

How to Serve:

Of course, serve your French fries with burgers! If you want a suggestion, I already have a cripy air fryer chicken burger recipe here that is also made using your air fryer. So, if you have one of those two-basket models or a large air fryer, you can get dinner done without having to touch your oven or stove. It’s perfect for summer as you won’t be heating up your kitchen.

Storage Instructions

If you have leftover fries (though it’s hard to imagine), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer for a few minutes until they’re crispy again. However, as with all fries they are at their best when they are hot/fresh.

Common Substitutions

• Oil: If you prefer, you can use another type of oil such as avocado oil or canola oil.
• Seasonings: Feel free to get creative with your seasonings. Garlic powder, paprika, or even a pinch of cayenne pepper can add a nice kick.

Troubleshooting

• Fries Are Soggy: Ensure you’re not overcrowding the air fryer basket. Fries need space to crisp up.
• Fries burned before they got crispy: You might have skipped the parboiling step. Boiling for 4 minutes is crucial for that perfect texture.
• Fries Stick Together: Make sure to shake the basket every few minutes and coat the fries evenly with oil.

Perfectly Crispy Air Fryer French Fries

5 from 1 vote

Find out the secret to perfectly crispy air fryer fries! Simple steps and ingredients ensure crispy outsides and fluffy insides.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time:5 minutes mins

Cook Time:15 minutes mins

Total Time:20 minutes mins

Course: Dinner, Lunch, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: air fryer, fries, potatoes

Servings: 3 People

Calories: 473kcal

Author: Claudia Genschow

Video

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Ingredients

• 4 medium russet potatoes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt or to taste

Instructions

• Bring a pot of water to a boil.
• Peel 4 medium russet potatoes. Slice each potato into 6 mm (1/4″) thick slices. Stack 2 or 3 slices and cut them into 6 mm (1/4″) thick batons.
• As you peel and cut the potatoes, place them in a bowl of water to prevent oxidation and browning.
• Add the potato to the boiling water and boil for 4 minutes. Be careful not to splash boiling water on yourself.
• Drain the potatoes and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process.
• Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (392°F).
• Transfer the potatoes to a large bowl and toss them with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 teaspoon of salt.
• Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding. You might need to do this in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
• Cook for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking.
• Enjoy your perfectly crisp French fries!

Notes

Please note that calories provided are only an estimate. 

Nutrition

Calories: 473kcal

FAQ

• Can I skip parboiling?
  • Parboiling helps achieve the best texture without it your fries will probably start to burn before they get really crispy and fluffy on the inside.
• What’s the best type of potato for fries?
  • Starchy potatoes like russets are the best for French fries due to their high starch content and low moisture.

Enjoy your perfectly crispy, homemade air fryer French fries! If you have any other tips or questions, leave them in the comments below. Happy frying!