Air Fryer Homemade Fries
Dreaming of perfectly crisp fries, but want to skip the mess and oil of a deep fryer? Your air fryer can be your new best friend. This air fryer homemade fries recipe unlocks the secrets to restaurant-quality fries made right at home. With a simple soak and a clever seasoning trick, you’ll be enjoying golden, delicious fries in no time.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Air Fryer Homemade Fries Recipe
- Ditch the drive-thru: Craving crispy fries without the wait or expense? Air-fried fries are a healthier, tastier alternative to takeout.
- Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside: Master this recipe and you’ll be a fry-making hero. Air fryers create fries with an unbeatable texture.
- Control your own ingredients: Skip the mystery oils and hidden ingredients. This recipe lets you choose exactly what goes into your fries.
- Experiment with flavor: Garlic parmesan, spicy cajun, or classic salt and pepper? The possibilities are endless! This recipe is your launching pad.
- Faster than you think: Air fryers cook food surprisingly quickly. These fries go from raw potato to golden goodness in a fraction of the time it takes to bake or deep fry.
- Perfect for dipping: These fries will be the star of your next game night or movie marathon. They’re the ideal partner for all your favorite dips.
- Customize portion sizes: No more leftover fries going to waste! Make exactly the amount you need with your air fryer.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.
How to Make Air Fryer Homemade Fries with Step-By-Step Instructions
A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.
Getting Started: Prep Those Potatoes!
Preheat: Get your air fryer ready for action by preheating it to 360°F for 5 minutes.
Wash, Peel, and Cut
Wash and peel your potatoes. Cut them into evenly sized sticks, about ¼ inch thick. Consistency is key here for even cooking!
Soak Away the Excess Starch (Optional, but Recommended)
This step helps achieve maximum crispiness.
Submerge: Place the fries in a large bowl and cover them completely with cold water. Let them soak for 30 minutes.
Dry It Up: Drain the fries thoroughly and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel. Excess moisture is the enemy of crispness!
Seasoning for Success
Oil Up: In the same bowl, toss the fries with avocado oil. Aim for a light, even coating.
Spice It Up: Sprinkle your fries with salt and pepper to taste. Toss again to make sure everyone gets some love.
Air Frying: The Main Event!
Single Layer is Key: Carefully transfer the seasoned fries to the preheated air fryer basket. Arrange them in a single layer, leaving space between each fry.
Overcrowding will steam them instead of crisping them. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
Shake, Rattle, and Roll: Cook the fries for 20-25 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes. This ensures even cooking and prevents sticking.
Golden Goodness: The fries are done when they’re golden brown and crispy. Keep an eye on them in the last few minutes to avoid burning.
Recipe Notes and Expert Tips
- Oil: We use avocado oil in this recipe, but any high smoke point oil like vegetable oil or peanut oil will work.
- Spice it Up: This recipe uses classic salt and pepper, but feel free to experiment with Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, or your favorite herb blends!
- Potato Power: Russet potatoes are your best bet for fries. Their high starch content crisps up beautifully in the air fryer.
- The Power of the Soak: Soaking the fries helps remove excess starch, which can lead to mushy fries. Don’t skip this step!
- Dry It Out: After soaking, pat your fries completely dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Excess moisture is the enemy of crisp!
- Oil is Your Friend: Use just enough oil to coat the fries evenly. Too much oil will make them soggy, and too little will prevent browning.
- Don’t Crowd the Basket: Give your fries space to breathe! Overcrowding will steam them instead of crisping them up. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Time Variations: Cooking time may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model and the thickness of your fries. Keep an eye on them during the last few minutes to avoid burning.
How to Store Air Fryer Homemade Fries
- Let Them Breathe: Before storing, make sure your fries are completely cool. Any residual heat can trap moisture and lead to sogginess. Spread them out on a paper towel-lined plate for 15-20 minutes to allow them to cool completely.
- Ditch the Plastic: Skip plastic wrap or bags that trap moisture. Instead, opt for an airtight container. Glass or BPA-free plastic containers are ideal.
- Portion Control: Consider dividing your leftover fries into single-serving portions. This minimizes the number of times you open and close the container, reducing exposure to air and moisture.
- Chilling Out: The refrigerator is your best friend for storing leftover fries. Place your sealed container of cooled fries in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.
- The Crisp Comeback: When you’re ready to enjoy your leftover fries again, reheat them in your air fryer! Preheat it to around 350°F (175°C). Spread the fries out in a single layer and heat for 2-3 minutes, or until warmed through and crispy.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Homemade Fries
What are fries without a good dipping sauce to dunk them in? Ketchup, mustard, and creamy ranch dressing are the tried-and-true partners for a reason!
You can’t go far wrong with pairing them up with a classic hamburger, or try a homemade KFC Zinger burger, or go with the healthy black bean burger.
Air-fried fries are a fantastic alternative to traditional celery sticks when enjoying your favorite air fryer chicken wings or even air fryer BBQ chicken drumsticks.
They’re also a fantastic side for your favorite soup (I love them with chicken noodle soup) and when you’ve finished them, treat yourself to some delicious brownie bites.
More Easy Recipes for You to Try at Home
- Air Fryer Whole Chicken
- Chipotle Grilled Chicken
- Tuna Casserole
- Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken
- Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings
Air Fryer Homemade Fries
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 4 large potatoes
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 360°F for about 5 minutes.
- Wash and peel the potatoes. Cut them into evenly-sized fries, about ¼ inch thick.4 large potatoes
- Place the potato fries in a large bowl and cover them with cold water. Allow them to soak for 30 minutes to remove excess starch.
- After soaking, drain the fries and pat them dry using a kitchen towel or paper towels.
- Place the dried fries back into the bowl and drizzle with avocado oil. Toss well to ensure all the fries are coated.2 tablespoons avocado oil
- Sprinkle salt and pepper over the oiled fries and toss again to evenly distribute the spices.1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Carefully transfer the seasoned fries to the preheated air fryer basket. Make sure they are arranged in a single layer without overcrowding. You may need to cook them in batches.
- Cook the fries in the air fryer for 20-25 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking. The fries should turn golden brown and crispy.
- Once cooked, remove the fries from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve the homemade air fryer fries hot with your favorite dipping sauce or as a side dish to your main meal.
Notes
- Oil: We use avocado oil in this recipe, but any high smoke point oil like vegetable oil or peanut oil will work.
- Spice it Up: This recipe uses classic salt and pepper, but feel free to experiment with Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, or your favorite herb blends!
- Potato Power: Russet potatoes are your best bet for fries. Their high starch content crisps up beautifully in the air fryer.
- The Power of the Soak: Soaking the fries helps remove excess starch, which can lead to mushy fries. Don’t skip this step!
- Dry It Out: After soaking, pat your fries completely dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Excess moisture is the enemy of crisp!
- Oil is Your Friend: Use just enough oil to coat the fries evenly. Too much oil will make them soggy, and too little will prevent browning.
- Don’t Crowd the Basket: Give your fries space to breathe! Overcrowding will steam them instead of crisping them up. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Time Variations: Cooking time may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model and the thickness of your fries. Keep an eye on them during the last few minutes to avoid burning.
