Crispy Air-Fryer French Fries
There’s something undeniably satisfying about biting into perfectly crispy French fries. They’re crunchy on the outside, soft and tender on the inside, and the ultimate comfort food. However, traditional deep-fried fries come with a cost—lots of oil and extra calories. Enter the air fryer, the healthier way to indulge in this classic snack. If you’ve been searching for a way to enjoy fries without the guilt, crispy air-fryer French fries are your answer. This method allows you to make delicious air-fryer fries that are just as golden and crunchy as the deep-fried kind, but with a fraction of the oil.
Why Make French Fries in an Air Fryer?
The air fryer has become a kitchen game-changer, especially when it comes to healthier cooking. Using little to no oil, the air fryer mimics the results of deep frying by circulating hot air around the food. This means you can achieve crispy French fries with far less fat, reducing the oil content by as much as 75-80%. Plus, using an air fryer is super easy and fast, making it ideal for busy weeknights, casual snacks, or weekend get-togethers with friends and family.
The Key to Crispy, Golden Air-Fryer French Fries
There’s more to making the perfect air-fryer French fry than just chopping up potatoes and throwing them into the machine. These tips will ensure your fries come out crispy, golden, and flavorful every time.
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Pick the Right Potatoes: Russet potatoes are the go-to choice for French fries. Their high starch content and low moisture make them perfect for getting that classic crispy texture on the outside while keeping the inside soft and fluffy. You can also try Yukon Golds if you prefer a softer texture.
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Soak Your Fries: Before cooking, soak your potato slices in cold water for at least 30 minutes. This helps wash away excess starch, leading to crispier fries. Once soaked, make sure to pat them completely dry—moisture is the enemy of crispiness.
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Use a Bit of Oil: Even though the air fryer uses far less oil than deep frying, a little oil is still essential for that perfect fry texture. Toss your potatoes with a small amount of oil, which will help them brown and crisp up beautifully without making them greasy.
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Season Properly: Salt is a must, but don’t stop there! For extra flavor, add paprika, garlic powder, or your favorite seasonings to the fries before air frying. Experiment with herbs and spices like cayenne pepper, rosemary, or black pepper to add some variety.
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Cook in Batches: Overcrowding the air fryer basket can lead to uneven cooking. For the best results, lay your fries in a single layer and cook in batches if needed. This ensures that the hot air circulates around each fry, crisping them up evenly.
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Shake It Up: Halfway through cooking, shake the air fryer basket to redistribute the fries. This simple step ensures even cooking and helps all sides get crispy.
Customize Your Air-Fryer French Fries
One of the best things about making fries at home is how easy it is to tweak the flavors to suit your cravings. Here are a few fun variations to try:
- Garlic Parmesan Fries: Toss the hot fries with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of garlic powder for a flavorful twist.
- Spicy Cajun Fries: Mix Cajun seasoning or chili powder into your seasoning blend for an extra kick.
- Herb-Infused Fries: Sprinkle your fries with dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, or oregano before cooking for a fragrant, earthy flavor.
- Sweet Potato Fries: Swap out Russet potatoes for sweet potatoes. They cook similarly but give a sweeter, more nutrient-rich alternative to regular fries.
Health Benefits of Air-Fryer French Fries
By using an air fryer, you significantly cut down on the amount of oil used, making these fries a much healthier alternative to traditional deep-fried versions. Not only do you reduce fat, but you’re also preserving more of the potato’s natural nutrients, like fiber, potassium, and vitamin C. Plus, air frying avoids the use of trans fats often found in restaurant fries, giving you a cleaner, more wholesome option.
Final Thoughts
With just a few simple steps, you can make crispy, golden air-fryer French fries that taste amazing and are better for you than the deep-fried variety. Whether you're whipping them up as a snack or serving them as a side dish, these fries are sure to satisfy. Plus, the ability to customize them to your taste makes them a go-to for any occasion. Enjoy your healthier, homemade fries guilt-free!
Crispy Air-Fryer French Fries Recipe
Ingredients
Directions
Scrub potatoes well. Cut the unpeeled potatoes lengthwise into 3/8-inch sticks. Place in a large bowl; cover with water and let stand for 30 minutes. Drain well and pat very dry. Return to the dried bowl; add oil and toss to coat. Sprinkle with cornstarch, pepper, salt and paprika; toss to coat.
Coat the basket of an air fryer with cooking spray. Place the potatoes in the basket and coat the potatoes well with cooking spray. Fry at 360 degrees F, stirring every 5 minutes, until very crispy, 25 to 30 minutes.
3 servings
12 fries
- Amount per serving
- Calories185
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 9.5g13%
- Total Carbohydrate 23.3g9%
- Dietary Fiber 1.7g7%
- Total Sugars 1g
- Protein 2.5g
* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Crispy Air-Fryer French Fries is one of many healthy recipe ideas that you can find on our recipe page.
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Ingredients
Directions
Scrub potatoes well. Cut the unpeeled potatoes lengthwise into 3/8-inch sticks. Place in a large bowl; cover with water and let stand for 30 minutes. Drain well and pat very dry. Return to the dried bowl; add oil and toss to coat. Sprinkle with cornstarch, pepper, salt and paprika; toss to coat.
Coat the basket of an air fryer with cooking spray. Place the potatoes in the basket and coat the potatoes well with cooking spray. Fry at 360 degrees F, stirring every 5 minutes, until very crispy, 25 to 30 minutes.