Air fryers have become one of the most wanted items on everyone's wish lists, and it is easy to see why. The breakout kitchen essential of the year, this hassle-free gadget is not only easy to use but is also a healthier option than deep and shallow fry cooking, making it a superb choice for anyone wanting to know how to make French fries in an air fryer – guilt-free.
Even if you own the best air fryer, or know all the important things to know about air fryers, air fryer mistakes when cooking French fries are inevitable. Here we break down step-by-step through how to make French fries in an air fryer with ease, and we (almost) promise you the most crispy and delicious fries you've ever tasted.
How to make French fries in an air fryer with frozen fries
If you are ever in need of a guaranteed crowd-pleading side or snack, then easy and quick frozen French fries are more often than not, a go-to dish. But if you didn't know that your trusty air fryer could make some of the most irresistible fries you've ever tasted, then you're certainly missing a trick.
Make sure to bookmark this air-fried French fries using the frozen fries recipe – we are certain that you'll want to come back to it again and again.
Want an even healthier option? Make sweet potato fries instead, and season with a little paprika, salt, and pepper for an extra taste before air frying.
Ingredients for air-fried frozen French fries
- An air fryer – we love the Instant Vortex air fryer from Amazon
- Frozen French fries – a 16 oz bag is ideal. Any larger and you may need to cook them in batches
- Olive oil spray – this premium olive oil spray from Amazon is highly-rated
- Salt to taste
This couldn't be easier! You don't even need to do any prepping and you can have perfectly crispy French fries in a matter of minutes. You will never want to use the oven for your fries ever again.
1. Place your frozen fries into the air fryer basket
We recommend not going about 16 oz in one go. If you want more, cook them in batches, and use the oven to keep warm.
2. Season as desired
Spray with olive oil and season with salt, if desired. We like to use a pinch of salt beforehand, and once again after.
3. Preheat the air fryer
Preheat your air fryer at 400 degrees for 4-5 minutes.
3. Cook your fries
Cooking time will depend on the thickness of your frozen fries.
Skinny french fries take about 10-13 minutes. Thicker fries (think steak fries) will take around 20 minutes to crisp. Check on your fries often near the end of the cooking time to see how brown they're getting.
4. Serve when ready
When they look ready, you'll know once they start to brown, serve immediately with your favorite meal or keep them warm in the oven at a low temperature.
How to make French fries in an air fryer with potatoes
This air fryer French fries recipe is one of our favorites. Made with minimal ingredients, these fries rival traditional fries but use a fraction of the oil. Serve these delicious French fries with your summer barbecue for the ultimate crispy treat.
Ingredients for air-fried French fries with potatoes
- An air fryer – we love the Instant Vortex air fryer from Amazon
- Potatoes – 1-2 russet potatoes are the preferred option for the most authentic flavor and texture
- Olive oil spray – this premium olive oil spray from Amazon is highly-rated
- Salt to taste
- Water
1. Prep your potatoes
Cut your potatoes into the desired French fry shape, about 1/4 thick. If you have a mandolin, you can use that for speed.
Be aware, if you cut your fries any bigger, you will need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Submerge cut potatoes in a bowl of cold water and let soak for 20 minutes (or overnight in the fridge if you are prepping the night before).
2. Preheat the air fryer
Preheat your air fryer at 400 degrees for 4-5 minutes.
3. Drain your potatoes and season
Drain potatoes and pat dry with a paper towel until dry. Add them back into the bowl and toss with oil and season with salt as desired.
For added flavor, you can add extra spices. We like using black pepper or cayenne pepper for an extra kick.
4. Add to air fryer and season to taste
Add fries to your air fryer in small batches depending on the quantity and thickness. You can pile them up a little bit but remember that the more airflow and circulation, the crispier your fries will be.
Cook your French fries for 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure they are evenly cooked.
5. Serve when ready
When they look ready, you'll know once they start to brown, serve immediately or keep them warm in the oven at a low temperature.
FAQs
How do you make French fries crispy in an air fryer?
If you are making French fries from scratch, try the overnight water-soaking trick to ensure that your fries are extra crispy once cooked. This crispy French fry trick always works.
Why soak potatoes in water before air frying?
Soaking potatoes in water before air frying is a tried-and-tested trick to make them extra crispy. Our resident air fryer tester, Millie Fender, swears by this free and easy recipe hack.
Is making French fries in an air fryer healthy?
If you are wondering if making French fries in air fryers are healthy, remember, air fryers are only as healthy as the food you cook in them, but you can be confident that they’re healthier than deep-fat fryers. If you want to cut back on the oil and fat in your food, air fryers are great for crisping it while not submerging it in fat.
None of these recipes is time-consuming, or difficult to do yourself. If you are wondering what else can you cook in an air fryer, you'll be pleased that your air fryer can handle almost anything.
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