I’m a huge fan of French fries, and I absolutely love making these Air Fryer French fries. This air fryer method of cooking fries uses much less oil than the deep frying method and still results in a golden brown, crispy texture.

Overhead view of air fryer French fries on a baking sheet with a cup of ketchup in the lower left corner and a cup of ranch in the upper right corner.

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Easy Air Fryer Fries

I’m always on the hunt for ways to make our favorite comfort foods a little lighter and easier—and these Air Fryer French Fries have become a total game-changer in our house. They’re perfectly crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and made with just a touch of oil—no deep fryer required! I love that I can whip up a batch in minutes, whether we’re serving burgers, sandwiches, or just need a salty snack. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll never go back to frozen fries again!

Making these delicious French fries in an Air Fryer is simple and requires only a few basic ingredients. It doesn’t get any easier than this!

Recipe Card

Air Fryer French Fries Recipe

4.78 from 9 votes
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 8 minutes
Soak Time: 1 hour
Total: 1 hour 18 minutes
Servings: 6
Author: Becky Hardin
featured air fryer french fries.
This Air Fryer French Fry Recipe cooks fries with much less oil than the deep frying method and still results in a golden brown, crispy texture.
Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.
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Equipment

  • Mandoline Slicer (optional)
  • Air Fryer (click for my favorite)
  • Baking Sheet

Ingredients 

  • 6 large russet potatoes peeled or unpeeled
  • ¼ cup olive oil canola or vegetable, avocado, or peanut all work
  • kosher salt to taste

Instructions 

  • Use a mandoline or knife to cut the potatoes into fry-shaped pieces.
    6 large russet potatoes
  • Transfer the pieces to a large bowl filled with cold water. Allow the fries to soak for at least 1 hour. Rinse the fries off in a colander.
  • Transfer to a baking sheet lined with a paper towel. Pat the fries dry with additional paper towels. Dispose of the paper towel, so just the potatoes remain on the baking sheet.
  • Preheat air fryer to 380°F.
  • Drizzle the potatoes with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
    ¼ cup olive oil, kosher salt
  • Arrange 1 batch of fries in an even layer in the air fryer.
  • Cook for 8-10 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
  • Transfer to a new baking sheet and place in a warm oven so they stay warm and crispy.
  • Repeat with the remaining fries and serve immediately.

Becky’s Tips

  • You can soak the potatoes for up to 24 hours before frying. Store them in the refrigerator while they soak. Soaking removes excess starch, which keeps the potatoes from sticking together. It also helps to ensure that the potatoes will be extra crispy once air-fried!
  • Thoroughly dry the potatoes before air frying them to prevent oil splatter.
  • Don’t overcrowd the air fryer, or the fries will steam and turn soggy.
Calories: 371kcalCarbohydrates: 67gProtein: 8gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gSodium: 406mgPotassium: 1539mgFiber: 5gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 4IUVitamin C: 21mgCalcium: 48mgIron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

How to Make Air Fryer French Fries Step by Step

Raw French fries soaking in water in a stainless steel bowl.

Cut and soak the potatoes: Use a mandoline or knife to cut 6 potatoes into French fry-shaped pieces.Transfer to a large bowl filled with cold water. Allow the fries to soak for at least 1 hour. Rinse the fries off in a colander.

Raw French fries spread out on a baking sheet.

Dry the potatoes: Transfer to a baking sheet lined with a paper towel. Pat the fries dry with additional paper towels. Dispose of the paper towel, so just the potatoes remain on the baking sheet.

Preheat air fryer to 380°F. Drizzle the potatoes with ¼ cup olive oil and sprinkle with salt.

Raw French fries in a single layer in an air fryer basket.

Place in air fryer: Arrange 1 batch of fries in an even layer in the air fryer.

Cooked air fryer French fries in an air fryer basket.

Cook: Cook for 8-10 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Transfer to a new baking sheet and place in a warm oven so they stay warm and crispy.

Partial overhead view of air fryer French fries on a baking sheet with a cup of ketchup.

Repeat and serve: Repeat with the remaining fries and serve immediately.

Variations

This base french fry recipe is perfect for customization! Sprinkle the hot fries with:

How to Store

Store leftover air fryer French fries in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in a single layer in a 325°F air fryer for about 5 minutes.

Freeze air fryer french fries in a single layer on a lined baking sheet until solid, about 1-2 hours. Transfer to an airtight container or Ziplock bag to store for up to 3 months. Reheat directly from frozen in a single layer in a 325°F air fryer for about 7-8 minutes.

Serving Suggestions

Crispy air fryer fries are made for dipping, and while ketchup is always a classic, I love mixing things up. My go-tos are a creamy homemade ranch dressing, a savory fry sauce, or that sweet and tangy Yum Yum Sauce. And when I’m really craving something familiar, I’ll even whip up a quick copycat Chick Fil A sauce—so good with those golden fries!

more french fry recipes

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

4.78 from 9 votes (9 ratings without comment)
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