These air fryer French fries are just as crispy and crunchy as regular fries, but they use far less oil. With just 3 ingredients, they're easy and delicious.
If you’re looking for an easy side to pair with your veggie burgers this weekend, these air fryer French fries are just the thing for you! I know, I know. When it comes to grilling sides, I’m usually all about salads or corn on the cob, but sometimes, I get a craving for a salty, crunchy snack that even the best summer salad can’t satisfy. That’s where these air fryer French fries come in.
In a lot of ways, they’re just like regular fries. They’re crispy on the outside, creamy in the middle, and dusted with an irresistible coating of salt. But there is one key difference between deep frying and air frying: you only need a light drizzle of oil to make crispy French fries in the air fryer. As a result, these fries are far healthier than average ones.
This is good news for Jack and me, because we’ve been making (and eating) these air fryer fries on repeat lately. They only require 3 basic ingredients, and they cook up in no time. Fresh out of the fryer, they’re hot, crunchy, and completely addictive. Try them once, and you’ll be hooked.
How to Make Air Fryer French Fries
When you’re ready to cook, here’s what you need to do:
First, chop your potatoes. Aim for them all to be a similar size, about 1/4-inch thick. That way, they’ll all cook at the same rate. I don’t recommend peeling your potatoes – the skin helps them crisp up nicely as they cook. Once you’ve chopped the potatoes into fries, toss them all with olive oil and salt.
Next, cook the first batch. Spread the cut potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket with a little space between each one. Don’t cram them in! The space allows the hot air to come in contact with all sides of the fries, which is what makes them golden brown and crisp. Air fry them at 380 for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway. Take them out when they’re crisp and brown around the edges.
Repeat with the remaining potatoes, cooking as many batches as necessary to give the fries adequate space in the basket.
Finally, toss them all in together! When you finish cooking the last batch, add all the fries back into the air fryer basket (no need to worry about a single layer this time) and cook them for 1 to 2 minutes to warm and crisp up the earlier batches. When all the air fryer French fries are crispy, take them out, and dig in!
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
Best Air Fryer Fries Tips
- Work in batches. It’s essential that you spread the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket and that you leave a little space between each one. If they’re too crowded, the potatoes will steam inside the air fryer, and they won’t get crispy. In order to give them adequate space, you’ll likely need to work in batches. When I use 2 russet potatoes, I cook 3 batches of fries.
- Not crispy yet? Keep cooking! The exact timing will vary based on your particular air fryer. I recommend checking your first batch at the 12 minute mark and adjusting your timing based on how they look at that stage. If they’re still not crispy, continue cooking until they crisp up.
- When it comes to doneness, taste is more important than appearance. I’ve found that my air fryer French fries start to look done before they actually are done. Taste a fry from each batch to make sure it’s tender on the inside and crisp on the outside before you move on to a new batch.
- Toss them all in together at the end. Because you’ll be working in batches, some of the fries will have to sit around for a bit before you finish cooking. No one likes cold, soggy fries, so toss all the fries into the air fryer together (no need to worry about space this time) for 1 to 2 minutes before you eat. This quick step will reheat the fries from the earlier batches and make them nice and crispy. Yum!
Air Fryer French Fries Serving Suggestions
On their own, these air fryer French fries make a super fun snack or appetizer. Serve them simply with salt and pepper, or dress them up with fresh herbs, chili powder, garlic powder, or onion powder. They’re also fantastic with dipping sauces! I love them with ketchup and mustard, but they’re tasty with out-of-the-box choices like chipotle sauce, chimichurri, or vegan cheese too.
Of course, these air fryer fries are also a great side dish. Pair them with any of these recipes for a fun, delicious meal:
- Best Veggie Burger
- Portobello Mushroom Burger
- Black Bean Burger
- Crispy Cauliflower Po’ Boy Sandwich
- BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches
Enjoy!
More Favorite Snacks and Appetizers
If you love these air fryer French fries, try one of these fun snacks next:
- Crispy Roasted Chickpeas
- Baked Sweet Potato Fries
- Parsnip Fries
- Sheet Pan Nachos
- Veggie Quesadillas
- Best Guacamole
Then, check out this post for 50 more easy appetizer ideas!
Air Fryer French Fries
Equipment
- Instant Pot Omni Plus Air Fryer (this model doubles as a toaster oven!)
Ingredients
- 2 russet potatoes, sliced into 1/4-inch sticks
- extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
- sea salt
optional seasonings & dips:
- herbs, chili powder, or chipotle powder
- ketchup, mustard, mayo, or chipotle sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 380°F.
- Drizzle the potatoes with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and toss to coat.
- Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer so that the potatoes are not touching each other. You will have to work in batches. Air fry for 12 to 15 minutes*, flipping halfway, or until crispy. If your fries are not crispy, air fry them a little longer.
- Once all batches are finished, toss them all back into the air fryer (no need to place in a single layer this time) for 1 to 2 minutes to warm and re-crisp any that got cold from the first few batches.
- Serve with desired seasonings and dips.
Notes
Perfect recipe for me, quick and easy, thank you!
Hello Jeanine Donofrio! I just came across your website and got to see your recipe of french fries in the air fryer. There’s no age limit for this snack, I am literally drooling by looking at your amazing pictures and will be making in my kitchen for sure, but in the routine method as I do not have an air fryer. Thank you for sharing this mouthwatering recipe.
I hope you enjoy them!
I made this recipe in my air fryer and y’all….WOW!!! Absolutely GENIUS idea and totes DELISH! I made these with some salt, peppa and paprika. Enhances the flavor SO MUCH. I am just truly amazed and feel so blessed to have found this recipe. They’re almost as good as the Pumpkin Spice Lattes from Starbucks, LOL! My little Samantha and Hunter DEVOURED them with our dinner that my husband cooked last night. It was some good ol’ medium rare steak, he’s the best at grillin in the fam! Anywho, TOTALLY recommended! #livelaughlove
I’m so glad you enjoyed them!
Only change I made was to eat up the first batch. No need to return to AF. w/ 2nd batch🤣
Made like 7 batches of these fries lol. They’re soooo good. Seasoned with salt, pepper, and parsley flakes.
Have had a n air fryer for 3 years and just tried this recipe tonight! Delicious! Topped with cheese sauce, bacon bits, and ranch. Tasted like what I get from my favorite fast food chain!
I’m so glad you loved the fries!
I like to toss about 2 russets sliced with the oil, garlic powder, seasoned salt and pepper. I put all of the slices in the basket, air fry for 10 minutes, then open and flip them around, and air fry another 10-15 minutes, and they are all done perfectly–no need to do single layers!
thanks for the tip!
What temperature do you use?
Hi Saba, 380°F (full instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of the post)
Olive oil with the salt and pepper seasoning tastes great! Perfect crispness!
First recipe! It turned out great.
I’m so glad you loved it!
Making these now, but sprinkled with ranch seasoning and it smells AMAZING!!!
Hi Jessica, I’m so glad you loved them!
Can I use vegetable oil instead of olive oil? my air fryer manual says not to use olive oil in the air fryer.
Hi Jessie, yes, you can.
the manual probably is referring to extra virgin olive oil which shouldn’t be used for cooking. we use regular olive oil all the time for this sort of recipe.
First thing I made in my air fryer and I am absolutely thrilled that they were so easy and delicious! Also, having low back pain makes this so much easier than using a regular oven. Thanks so much for sharing.
Hi Sharon, I’m so glad you enjoyed the fries!
Do you leave the lower tray in the air fryer when making the fries?
Hi Maurice, if you have 2 trays, you can fill both at the same time – if both trays don’t cook at the same rate, you can rotate them halfway.
yes you do
Do you rinse your fries with water before tossing in olive oil?
Hi Kristen, I don’t – I tried it and I didn’t think it made enough difference to be worth the effort.
Just wash the whole potato and let dry. I leave the peeling on.
Those fries were delicious… some of the best fries I’ve had in a while. They’re actually MUCH better than fast food fries – no joke! I’ll definitely make these again.
Can you use peeled potatoes?
Hi Sherri, you could but the skins help make them crispy.
We made these, also soaked the sliced potatoes in vegetable stock before air frying. So good! 🙌🏼
That sounds freaking amazing! How long did you soak them, and how long before you air fried them?
We made these last night and my entire family loved them! They tasted so great and I like being able to eat fries that are much healthier than typical fries.
If you were air frying sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes, would you use the same temperature/time? Would you soak the sweet potatoes in water, as you do for the oven baked fries or is it unnecessary with an air fryer?
Hi Karen, we tried out sweet potato fries in the air fryer but didn’t think they were any better or crispier than they were in the oven. So I’d recommend just the regular oven recipe – it’s easier because more fries fit on the baking sheet than fit in the air fryer.
Oh yes, I need an air fryer!! Printed your recipe, thank you.
I’d like to also try air frying sweet potato fries!!
Michael