French Fries in Air Fryer
by Sommer Collier — on Aug 10, 2026 I love making French fries in the air fryer whenever I’m craving delicious, crispy fries but want to keep things on the lighter side. And fast! My recipe uses just two main ingredients, hand-cut russet potatoes and olive oil, and comes together in under an hour, including a quick soak in an ice bath. While these air fryer fries are less messy and lower in calories than traditional deep-fried fries, they’re just as golden and crispy on the outside with fluffy, tender centers.
I often refer to my air fryer as “the magic machine” because of how quickly and evenly it can cook just about anything. Including french fries! (As you might have guessed.) There’s no magic secret to making crispy fries in the air fryer, but I do have some tried-and-true tips to make the best crispy french fries. I’ll skip the suspense and share with you here, the keys to making really fabulous air fried french fries are similar for making deep fried homemade fries and comes down to three things:
One, you should soak the fries in ice cold water for at least a few minutes before seasoning them. This washes off extra starches and helps them develop a crispy exterior. Two, you should oil and season them before placing them in the air fryer basket. A little oil goes a long way in the air fryer; they just need to be slightly kissed with oil. And three, they need to have space around them in the air fryer in order to fry and not steam. Lay them in a single layer and make sure there’s at least a smidge of space around each and every fry. You can bet that you’ll have the crispiest fries if you follow my simple steps!
Table of Contents
Sommer’s Recipe Highlights
Lighter Fries – Not frying potatoes in a vat of oil (which I love, don’t get me wrong) means there is significantly less fat and calories. Like my baked french fries, I use minimal oil here but still get that perfect deep fried-style crispiness on the outside.
Way Less Mess – Along with fewer calories, this recipe requires minimal cleanup, even though it uses a similar number of dishes. But here I only need to wipe down the basket versus cleaning out a large oil-coated pot. You avoid that bothersome oil splatter on the counters. And the house doesn’t mess like fry oil for days!
Small Batch – Most fry recipes are for 6+ servings. This recipe for fries in the air fryer is for only 2 servings, but the recipe can be easily adjusted to make however many batches you like. I’ve got a handy slider to adjust the number of portions in the recipe card below!
Key Ingredients and Tips
- Russet potatoes – I find that russet potatoes are the best for frying, regardless of the method. They are the most hearty and hold up well texture-wise to being soaked, drained, and air fried.
- Olive oil – I prefer olive oil for cooking with high heat. However, you can use other neutral-tasting and high-heat options like avocado oil or canola oil.
- Salt and pepper – These two are all you technically need for fabulous fries. That being said, I highly recommend trying my homemade fry seasoning recipe for next-level delicious french fries.
How to Make
Find the full ingredient proportions, detailed instructions, storage tips, and a video tutorial in the printable form at the bottom of the post.
Slice and Ice – I start by getting out a large bowl and fill it with ice water. Then I scrub my potatoes and use a sharp knife to slice them into 1/3-1/2-inch strips. Yes, you can peel the potatoes first, if you like. However, I prefer to leave the skins on for a great bit of texture and rustic taste. I place these strips in the water as I work so they don’t brown. Then I let them soak for at least 15 minutes, but usually closer to an hour if I have the time… This cold water bath pulls the starches from the potato strips, so they becomes extra crispy in the air fryer.
Dry Fries – When the fries are done soaking, I preheat the air fryer temperature to 380 degrees Fahrenheit and dump the water and potatoes into a colander. Then I use a clean dish towel to gently but firmly dry the potato pieces… Shake, roll, and pat them well to remove as much moisture as possible. The drier the better!
Season and Spread – Next, I take out the towel and leave the potatoes in the bowl. I drizzle them with the oil, swish them around a bit, sprinkle on the seasoning, and toss the slices to thoroughly coat them in the oil and spices.
When the potatoes are seasoned and the air fryer has preheated, I pull out the fry basket and lay the pieces out in one layer. I’m careful to give each fry a bit of space so they aren’t touching. This lets the hot air circulate around each one and gets the outside super crispy. If you have to work in batches, so be it. Air fryer fries are fast to make, and you can fry up a second batch while the first is still warm.
Fry Time – I close the air fryer, making sure it clicks securely in place. Then I set the timer for 6 minutes and go about my business. When the timer goes off I pull the basket out, give the fries a good shaking around, then pop back into the air fryer. Set the timer for one more round of 6 minutes, pull out the basket, and check to see if the fries are done. I know the taters are perfect when each one is golden brown all around, they are lightly crisp, and super fluffy on the inside.
Repeat (if Needed) – This is pretty self-explanatory. *wink*
Expert Tips
You absolutely need to soak the potato slices for a minimum of 15 minutes before frying. However, I recommend soaking them for up to an hour to get the crispiest fries. Then be sure to dry the potato slices very thoroughly… It’s just as important to get the water out as it is to get the starches out!
Take the time to lay each potato slice in one layer with a smidge of space between them. Overcrowding the basket will cause moisture to build up and make the french fries soggy.
When you shake the basket halfway through air frying, really give it a good shake! You’re not just trying to move them a bit. They need to flip around as well to make them fry evenly.
Serving Suggestions
You’ve got your classic no-fail sauces like ketchup and bbq. But making homemade fries in the air fryer is such a quick and easy process, it’ll be no trouble at all to whisk up an exciting sauce on the side! These are a few of my favorites…
- French Fry Dipping Sauce the name says it all
- Honey Mustard Dressing
- Magic Aioli
- Comeback Sauce
- Garlic Parmesan Sauce
- Chick Fil A Signature Sauce
- Remoulade great with my Cajun fry seasoning
- Burger Sauce
Now that we’re talking about burgers and fries, let’s talk about burgers and fries! These crisp and soft frites are delicious with juicy hamburgers like any of these…
- Classic Burgers with the best seasoning
- Spicy Cowboy Burger
- Zesty Italian Burgers
- Pizza Burgers
- Smash Burgers
- Homemade Big Macs
They’re also the perfect fries for an authentic UK-style fish and chips basket.
Or balance the lightness of the fries by using them to make a super-indulgent and delicious basket of chili cheese fries!
Storing and Reheating
Personally, I’m not a fan of saving fries… Which is fine, because I usually don’t have any left anyways! If you have to save them, I recommend storing in an airtight container and keeping it in the refrigerator. They’ll stay fresh for up to 1-2 days.
The best way to reheat leftover french fries is, you guessed it, in the air fryer! 3 to 4 minutes at 350 degrees will help them crisp up again, but they likely won’t have the same tender and fluffy bite.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Preheating the fryer is just like preheating the oven first to get the right cooking temp.
Avoid sad soggy fries by following my expert tips above: soak and dry the potato slices, season well, and don’t overcrowd the basket. That oughta do it!
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More Finger Food Recipes
French Fries in Air Fryer
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound russet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper or our Fry Seasoning
Instructions
- Set out a bowl of cold ice water. Slice the potatoes lengthwise into 1/3 – 1/2 inch strips. Place the cut fries in the ice cold water to soak. Allow the fries to soak in the cold water for at least 15 minutes. The longer they soak, the more starches are washed off creating a crispy exterior.
- When ready to air fry, preheat the air fryer to 380°F. Pour the fries into a colander to remove the water. Then place a clean dish towel in the bowl and place the fries back in the bowl. Toss and gently rub the fries to dry them thoroughly.
- Remove the towel and drizzle olive oil over the fries. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. (Or use our french fries seasoning here.) Then toss the fries to coat well in oil and seasonings.
- Depending on the size of your air fryer basket, you may have to work in batches. One pound of potatoes equals one batch in a large standard sized air fryer.
- Carefully place the fries in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Try to make sure there's a little bit of space around each fry so they're not touching.
- Close the air fryer and cook for 6 minutes. When the timer goes off, shake the basket and then close the air fryer again and cook for another 6-8 minutes until the fries are golden and crispy.
- Repeat with the second batch if needed. Serve warm with ketchup or your favorite dipping sauce!
