Air Fryer French Fries Recipe

By
Leah Maroney
Leah Maroney
Leah Maroney
A recipe developer and food photographer, Leah Maroney is an ardent home cook and food blogger who has written over 300 recipes for The Spruce Eats.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 01/23/23
Air Fryer French Fries

The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 30 mins
Soak Time: 30 mins
Total: 70 mins
Servings: 2 to 3 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
287 Calories
9g Fat
46g Carbs
5g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2 to 3
Amount per serving
Calories 287
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 9g 12%
Saturated Fat 1g 7%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 448mg 19%
Total Carbohydrate 46g 17%
Dietary Fiber 5g 18%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 17mg 83%
Calcium 41mg 3%
Iron 2mg 13%
Potassium 1123mg 24%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Though oil-frying will always yield delicious and crispy products, air fryers have increasingly become a must-have in the kitchen. Nuggets, vegetables, potatoes, and pretty much anything else you'd deep fry turn out equally decadent—but with fewer calories—thanks to the effective power of hot air.

With an air fryer, all sorts of foods can be fried to perfection without the need for several cups of oil, eliminating the messy aftermath of cleaning the pot and stove afterward. The result is a batch of crispy and salty potatoes that are great on their own, but best when served with dipping sauces or as a side to other classics, like hot dogs, burgers, fish, or steak.

Easy to make, these fries are great for a weeknight dinner. You can even make them for a BBQ. While all the mains are done on the grill, these light fries go into the air fryer basket. If making many fries, always fry them in batches and keep them warm in a 200 F oven until you are ready to serve. Our go-to potatoes for French fries are Russet, as they have the right amount of starch and they crisp up nicely. Their skins come out especially crunchy—just peel the potatoes if you'd like a more uniform look. For this recipe, avoid using yellow or other waxy potatoes.

Ingredients

  • 2 large russet potatoes, scrubbed and pat dried

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

  • Chopped fresh parsley, for serving

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Gather the ingredients for Air Fryer French Fries
     The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

  2. Cut the potatoes into 3/4-inch sticks. Alternatively, use a mandoline for an even look.

    Cut the potatoes into sticks
    The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney 

  3. Immediately after cutting, place the potatoes in a large bowl. Cover with cold water and soak for at least 30 minutes and up to 12 hours. If you're soaking for longer than half an hour, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. 

    Soak the potatoes in water
     The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

  4. Drain the potatoes and place them on a tray lined with paper towels. Pat them completely dry. 

    Dry the potatoes
    The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney 

  5. Add the potatoes to a large bowl. Drizzle olive oil over the top and then toss them to completely coat. 

    Toss with olive oil
     The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

  6. Preheat the air fryer to 360 F. Toss the cornstarch, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Evenly sprinkle the mixture over the top of the potatoes and toss to distribute well.

    Toss with cornstarch
     The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

  7. Add the French fries to the basket of the air fryer. Fry for 25 to 30 minutes, pausing the air fryer to toss the fries every 5 minutes. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to fry in batches without overcrowding the basket.

    Add fries to air fryer
     The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

  8. Increase the temperature to 425 F and cook for another 5 minutes until they are golden brown and crisp. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve the fries alongside your favorite dipping sauces.

    Air Fryer French Fries
     The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

  9. Enjoy!

    air-fryer-french-fries-4771723-09

    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

How to Reheat French Fries

To reheat, simply pop them in the air fryer at 400 F for 5 minutes. Or place them in a 400 F oven in a single layer for 5 to 7 minutes.

Other Seasonings for Your Fries

Although nothing beats a crispy fry seasoned with just salt and pepper, there are other ways to fancify these tasty bites:

  • Spicy: Once fried, toss the potatoes with a mixture of cayenne and chili flakes to taste. Serve with spicy mayo.
  • Herby: Once fried, toss the potatoes with a mixture of 1/4 teaspoon each of Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder. Serve with garlic mayo.
  • Cheesy: Once fried, toss the potatoes with 4 tablespoons of grated Parmesan and 4 tablespoons of grated sharp cheddar. Serve with any cheese sauce of your liking.