Crispy and delicious, these air fryer fries are quick and easy to make! With just a few simple ingredients, you can make a healthier version that tastes better than restaurant french fries in your own kitchen in less than 30 minutes! Show
These french fries that are made in the air fryer are hands down "better than french fries at a restaurant". Those are my son's words, not mine. But he's not wrong. I was honestly shocked at how good these turned out. When you make french fries in the air fryer, it takes the texture and flavor to a whole new level. They have a crispy texture and are soft and velvety on the inside. And these french fries are simple to make! 📢 What You Need To KnowWhen was the last time you looked at the ingredients on the back of a bag of frozen french fries? They are made with potatoes and some type of not-so-healthy oil. But you'll also see ingredients such as dextrose, sodium acid pyrophosphate, and annatto color. Those are all chemical additives. Fast food restaurant french fries are even worse containing at least 4 different types of unhealthy oils, beef flavor, hydrolyzed wheat and milk, citric acid, dextrose, dimethylpolysiloxane, sodium acid pyrophosphate, and so many other ingredients I can't pronounce. I absolutely love french fries but if I can't pronounce the ingredient or am not sure of what it is, I'm not eating it. Food tastes way too good on its own without a bunch of added chemicals. When I learned just how unhealthy processed french fries are, I started making my own version. And these french fries are so much healthier when made in the air fryer! The air fryer is an amped up convection oven that works by circulating hot air around food. From there, it transforms the food into crispy yumminess. It delivers the results of deep frying with only hot air and a tiny amount of oil. For example, the crispiness of these air fryer breaded chicken thighs are unbelievable. One would never think this type of texture could be obtained unless a deep fryer was used. When I make this pecan crusted chicken in the air fryer, the breading turns golden brown and crispy without all the grease! And these fries are no different. Crunchy and crisp, these are the best french fries! 🛒 Ingredients You'll NeedThe french fries ingredients are simple and contain spices and seasonings that are probably already in your spice rack. Using a healthy oil that has a high smoke point is key to getting that crispy texture. Avocado oil is a heart healthy oil and works well with this recipe. All it takes is 1 tablespoon of avocado oil to cover 4 cut potatoes. And, the oil helps to evenly spread the seasoning across the fries. The french fry seasoning recipe consists of garlic powder, paprika, seasoning salt, and ground pepper. A few simple ingredients will go a long way when making the best air fries without the mess and grease of the classic deep fried version. 📋 Step-By-Step Recipe InstructionsLearning how to make french fries is so easy when you are using an air fryer. It's even easier than making them in the oven! Start by peeling the potatoes. Using either a sharp knife or a mandoline, cut the potatoes into strips, about ¼ inch-thick. Put the cut potatoes in a colander and thoroughly rinse for 1-2 minutes. In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, ground pepper, seasoning salt, and paprika. Stir until well combined. Next, put the cut potatoes, avocado oil, and seasoning mixture in a gallon size plastic bag. Seal and shake the bag well until the cut potatoes are well coated and evenly combined. From there, place the seasoned cut potatoes into the basket ensuring they are spread evenly and not overlapping. Work in batches if needed. If they are too close together, air can't circulate and they won't get crispy. Put the basket back in and close. Set the temperature to 400°F. Then, set the timer to 18 minutes and press the power button. Open the basket a couple of times during the cooking process to stir the fries around with a pair of tongs or spatula. This helps ensure the fries crisp up evenly on both sides. It's also good to check the fries often near the end of the cooking cycle to see how brown they’re getting. When the timer goes off, remove the basket. Wait 5 minutes before serving and then top with fresh chopped parsley and Parmesan cheese. French fries in the air fryer are the absolute best! These are crispy and crunchy just like you get at your favorite restaurant without all the oil, additives, and preservatives. Absolutely irresistible, you'll find yourself making these over and over again! 🥔 Best Potatoes To UseRusset potatoes are also known as Idaho potatoes and they work extremely well when making these fries. They have a rich flavor and do a great job expanding just enough on the inside while leaving the outside of the fries perfectly crisp. They are high in starch and perfect when baking potatoes or when you want to make homemade mashed potatoes. Yukon Gold potatoes have more of a waxy surface and work well for roasting and mashing. They are my go-to potato when making these roasted potatoes with Italian dressing. While they hold up ok when making fries in the air fryer, russets do better! New potatoes are too small and way too creamy in texture for making homemade french fries. They work best for boiling, roasting, or smoking. They work really well when making roasted potatoes in the crock pot and they also work exceptionally well when making smoked new potatoes. 🙋 Frequently Asked QuestionsHow long do you cook french fries in an air fryer? While the instructions advise to air fry for 18 minutes, it's important to adjust the cooking time as needed. Not all air fryers are the same. Some prefer them done at the 14 minute mark. I like them done at 18 minutes. My husband likes them done at the 20 minute mark so they become extra crispy. Don't be afraid to adjust the cooking time to get the texture you prefer. How long do you put frozen french fries in an air fryer? You can cut and season the potatoes ahead of time and freeze until you're ready to make them! Set the temperature to 400°F and air fry for 20-25 minutes. Halfway through the cooking process, shake the basket and gently turn the fries. Cook until desired crispiness is reached. How do you reheat french fries in the air fryer? Set the temperature to 350°F. Place the leftover fries in the basket. Cook for 3-5 minutes or until they reach the desired crispiness. 💭 Expert Tips
🍽️ More Easy Air Fryer Recipes You'll LoveWhen it comes to making crispy and healthy "fried foods", I immediately get out this amazing kitchen gadget. Crispy chickpeas made in the air fryer are my favorite snack! These are flavorful, delicious, and done in less than 30 minutes. This gluten free cornflake chicken is golden brown, crispy, and full of flavor. With this recipe, dinner is ready in less than 30 minutes! If you're looking for even more options, check out these 13 air fryer recipes that are easy! Follow Recipes Worth Repeating for more amazing recipes!
Calories: 100kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 296mg | Potassium: 444mg | Fiber: 1g | Vitamin A: 60IU | Vitamin C: 6.1mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 0.9mg Update Notes: This post was originally published in April 2019, but was republished with new photos, step-by-step instructions, and tips in August, 2022. Why do you Soak potatoes in water before air frying?Soaking the potatoes after they're cut draws out some of the starch which is naturally present in potatoes. This will result in a crispier fry. A thirty minute soak in cold water does the trick but you may soak them longer if you want. After soaking, be sure to dry the potatoes before you fry them.
How do I make my fries crispy with an air fryer?Simply place your leftover fries in a single layer in your air fryer. Try to leave out any crumbs that may fall through into the bottom of the basket. Turn on the air fryer at 350F and air fryer for 3-6 minutes, depending on your type of fries and how crispy you want them. Most fries will be done within 5 minutes.
Why are my fries not getting crispy in the air fryer?Why is my food not crispy in the air fryer? If the air is not hot enough, or if you overcrowd the basket, your food will not come out crispy. Preheat the air fryer for at least 3 minutes, and work in batches if you need to.
Do I put oil in my fries in an air fryer?How much oil do I need to use for air fryer French Fries? Because you are making these in the air fryer, you only need to use about one tablespoon of olive oil to make these fries. Just toss the cut pieces until they are coated, and then place them in the basket.
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