Hands down one of the most made recipes in our house – air fryer french fries!! Yes, they are pretty simple, but man, I promise you they are AMAZING.
In all seriousness, we make air fryer fries at least 3-4 times a week. It rotates between sweet potato fries or classic white potatoes.
I have become obsessed with my air fryer since getting it back in 2018 and it’s in the top 2 of my favorite appliance (along with my Vitamix). We sometimes use it multiple times a day. And homemade air fryer french fries are by far one of my favorite things to make in it!
If people ask me if they should get an air fryer, I tell them, yes, and even if you only make fries in it, it’s totally worth it!
This air fryer french fry recipe reminds me of getting them at a restaurant but they are made without all the oil and deep-frying. They are lightly coated in a little oil, tossed with some salt and pepper, and cooked for about 30 minutes in your air fryer. We love making them as an easy side dish to any meal or to accompany burger night.
Soaking: A Crispy Essential While it may seem like a pain, soaking the potatoes in hot water for 10 minutes prior to cooking them in the air fryer is essential.
Air fryer french fries ingredients
- russet potatoes – the best potatoes for french fries!
- olive oil
- salt
- black pepper
What are the best potatoes for fries?
When making fries, you want to choose potatoes with a higher starch content, like yukon gold potatoes or russet potatoes. Both will crisp up nicely but still stay tender in the middle. I find russet are best for making fries as they are what you are used to as most french fries are made with them. Yukon gold has a little bit of a buttery taste.
5 Tips for PERFECT Air Fryer French Fries (Homemade)
FAQ
Do you have to soak potatoes before frying?
What happens if you don t rinse potatoes before putting in to air fryer?
Can you put raw potato in the air fryer?
What happens if you don’t soak potatoes before cooking?
Do fried potatoes need airflow?
Especially considering that fried potatoes benefit from achieving the textural balance of a crispy surface and soft insides, you want as much airflow hitting the potato surfaces as possible while avoiding undercooked centers.
Is it beneficial to soak potatoes in cold water?
Yes. Soaking potatoes in cold water before frying can have some benefits, such as: Remove the starch from the surface of the potatoes, so that they do not stick and become soft during frying; Hydrate the potatoes, improving moisture retention and leaving them soft inside and crispy outside; Prevent potatoes from browning, as cold water prevents surface oxidation.
Can You thaw cooked potatoes in an air fryer?
Air fryer or not, thawing is generally discouraged due to its habit of making cooked potatoes soggy or otherwise killing the crispiness factor we’re looking for. This method could save time, but the potential downsides are pretty big; you lose nothing by simply pulling the bag out of the freezer and popping the potatoes right into the air fryer.
How do you cook potatoes in an air fryer?
Preheat the air fryer to 390°F for about 15 minutes. Remove the potatoes from the bowl and lay them out on a paper towel or clean kitchen towel. Dry them thoroughly, and then transfer them to a medium bowl and toss them with the oil, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Remove the air fryer basket and add the potatoes, positioning them as evenly as you can.