The exact cook time can vary. Read below for our tips!
Want to make air fryer French fries from scratch? These homemade fries will have you rethinking frozen fries!
Made with a few potatoes, a little oil, salt and some simple spices, these fries turn out crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and go great with dipping sauces.
Unlike frozen French fries in the air fryer, these freshly cut fries are made completely from scratch and turn out just as good – if not better – than frozen fries!
Ingredients
- Russet potatoes – Russet potatoes are best since they get crispy on the outside while remaining soft on the inside. You can also use Idaho or Yukon Gold potatoes.
- Oil – We use avocado oil, but you can also use another neutral oil such as vegetable oil, canola oil or similar.
- Salt – Enhances the flavor of the fries.
- Garlic powder – Optional; adds extra flavor to the French fries.
- Paprika – Optional; adds extra flavor and color to the fries. You can use sweet or smoked paprika depending on your preference (but keep in mind that smoked paprika can be quite overpowering).
- Black pepper – Adds a hint of spice.
Recipe Tips
- You can peel the potatoes, but we like the skin on – it gets deliciously crispy during air frying.
- Cut the fries to the same thickness so they cook evenly. You don’t want some fries underdone and some overdone in the same batch!
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. The fries need room for air to circulate to get crispy. If you have a smaller air fryer, you may need to cook the fries in batches.
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Step by Step Instructions
First, rinse the potatoes well, dry them, and cut them into slices. You don’t have to peel the potatoes first but you can if you want to.
Then cut them into sticks, approximately 1/4 inch thick. Try to cut them to a similar thickness so they cook evenly.
Place the fries in a mixing bowl, add hot (not boiling) water, and let the potatoes sit in the hot water for at least 15 minutes.
After the 15 minutes are up, rinse the potatoes under running water and pat them dry.
This is important because you don’t want excess moisture to get into the air fryer.
Place the French fries in a clean, dry mixing bowl. Add the oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder (optional), and paprika (optional). Toss until the fries are well coated.
At this time, also preheat the air fryer to 385 degrees Fahrenheit.
When the air fryer is hot, add the potatoes and spread them out evenly. A little overlap is fine, but you don’t want too much.
If you have a smaller air fryer, it’s better to cook the fries in two batches. This way, they will get crispier and cook evenly!
Air fry the French fries at 385 degrees Fahrenheit for 18-22 minutes or until cooked and crispy on the outside. Shake the air fryer basket approximately every 5 minutes.
Since every air fryer is different, your cooking time might vary slightly.
When they are done to your liking, remove the fries from the air fryer and serve with your favorite dipping sauce like ketchup, mayo, or chipotle mayo. Enjoy!
Storage Tips
Air-fried French fries don’t usually last too long in our house. If you do end up with leftover fries, store them in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 to 3 days. But keep in mind that they may get mushy over time.
You can reheat the fries in the air fryer to bring back some of their crispiness or cut them up to make fried breakfast potatoes.
Related Recipes
For more delicious air fryer potato recipes, have a look at these ideas:
- Garlic Parmesan Fries in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes
- Crispy Homemade Air Fryer Potato Skins
- Homemade Air Fried Wedges
- Air Fryer Frozen Tater Tots
Homemade Air Fryer French Fries
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds russet potatoes, about 3 medium potatoes
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika, optional
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Wash the potatoes well, dry them off, and cut them into slices. Then cut them into sticks approximately 1/4 inch thick. You don't have to peel the potatoes first but you can if you want to.
- Add the fries to a mixing bowl, add hot (not boiling) water and let the potatoes sit in the hot water for at least 15 minutes.
- After the 15 minutes are up, rinse the potatoes under running water and pat them dry again.
- Add the fries to a clean and dry mixing bowl. Add the oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Toss until the fries are well coated.
- Preheat the air fryer to 385 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Evenly spread the fries onto the air fryer tray. A little overlap is fine but you shouldn't have too much. If you have a smaller air fryer, it's better to cook the fries in two batches. This way, they will get crispier and cook evenly!
- Air fry the French fries for 18-22 minutes until cooked and nicely crispy on the outside. Shake approximately every 5 minutes. Since every air fryer is different, your cook time might vary slightly.
Video
Notes
- If you don’t have russet potatoes, you can also use Idaho or Yukon Gold potatoes.
- You can peel the potatoes, but we like the skin on – it gets deliciously crispy during air frying.
- Cut the fries to the same thickness so they cook evenly. You don’t want some fries underdone and some overdone in the same batch!
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. The fries need room for air to circulate to get crispy. If you have a smaller air fryer, you may need to cook the fries in batches.
Nutrition
This nutritional information has been estimated by an online nutrition calculator. It should only be seen as a rough calculation and not a replacement for professional dietary advice.
This recipe was first published in March 2021 and updated in July 2024.
Thanks for the recipe!!
You’re very welcome!