Method 1: Air Fryer French Fries from Fresh Potatoes

Making delicious, crispy fries from scratch in your air fryer takes a little more upfront effort than using frozen, but the reward is a wonderfully fluffy interior and a truly golden, crispy exterior that's hard to beat. The key steps here are proper cutting, soaking, and *really* drying the potatoes!

Ingredients

• 1-2 large Russet potatoes (about 1 lb total). Russets are preferred for fries due to their starch content, peeled or unpeeled as you like.
• 1 tbsp olive oil or other high-smoke point cooking oil (like canola, grapeseed, or avocado)
• 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
• Optional seasonings: garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, onion powder, chili powder, or a pinch of sugar for sweetness.

Equipment

• Air Fryer
• Large bowl (for soaking)
• Plenty of paper towels or clean kitchen towels
• Sharp knife or a crinkle/fry cutter for uniform shapes

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cut the Potatoes: Wash and thoroughly dry the whole potatoes. Cut them into uniform french fry shapes, typically 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick. Aim for consistency in size so they cook evenly.
2. Soak (Essential for Fresh!): Place the cut fries in a large bowl and cover completely with cold water. Let them soak for at least 15-30 minutes. For even crispier results, you can soak them for several hours or even overnight in the refrigerator. Soaking removes excess surface starch, which is crucial for preventing fries from sticking together and achieving maximum crispness. Drain the water completely.
3. Dry, Dry, Dry (CRUCIAL!): This is arguably the most important step for crispy fresh fries. Spread the drained fries out on a thick layer of paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Pat them *absolutely, thoroughly dry*. Any remaining moisture will cause the fries to steam instead of crisping up beautifully in the air fryer.
4. Season: Return the now completely dry fries to a clean, dry bowl. Add the olive oil and salt (and any other desired seasonings). Toss everything thoroughly using your hands or a spatula to ensure every single fry is lightly coated in oil and seasoning.
5. Preheat: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes. Starting with a hot air fryer helps the fries begin crisping immediately.
6. Air Fry: Place the seasoned fresh fries (from Step 3) or frozen fries (from Step 4) in the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer (cook in batches). *Do not overcrowd!* Piling too many fries into the basket is the number one mistake that leads to soggy results. Cook in batches if necessary, ensuring there is space for air circulation around each fry. Air fry fresh fries for 15-25 minutes, shaking the basket well every 5-7 minutes throughout the cooking time, until they are golden brown and crispy. Cooking time will vary greatly depending on the thickness of your fries, the quantity in the batch, and your specific air fryer model. Check our Air Fryer Cooking Times Chart for general guidance.
7. Check Doneness: Continue cooking and shaking until the fries are golden brown, crispy to your liking, and heated through to the center. Taste testing is recommended!
8. Serve: Carefully transfer the hot fries to a serving dish. Season with salt or other desired seasonings immediately after removing from the air fryer if not pre-seasoned. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces like ketchup, aioli, or ranch dressing.

Method 2: Air Fryer French Fries from Frozen

This method is all about speed and convenience! Frozen french fries are often pre-cooked and sometimes lightly coated in oil, making them incredibly fast and easy to cook in the air fryer. You'll get a far better, crispier result than you would from a microwave or even often a standard oven.

Ingredients

• 1 bag frozen french fries (any style you like - crinkle cut, shoestring, steak fries, waffle fries)
• Optional: Oil spray (like avocado or canola) for extra crispness
• Optional: Salt or your favorite seasoning blend to add after cooking

Equipment

• Air Fryer

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Add to Basket: Place the desired amount of frozen fries directly into the air fryer basket in a single layer. Again, *do not overcrowd*! Cook in batches if necessary. A very light spray of oil over the frozen fries is optional but can definitely help improve crispiness and achieve a more golden color.
2. Set Time & Temp: Preheat the air fryer to 380-400°F (190-200°C) if desired (adds a few minutes but significantly helps with crisping). Place the basket in the air fryer. Cook for 10-20 minutes. The time and temperature recommended on the frozen food packaging is a good starting point, but you will usually find that the air fryer cooks them significantly faster than a conventional oven. Check our Air Fryer Cooking Times Chart for estimated times for frozen fries.
3. Shake: It is essential to shake the basket vigorously halfway through cooking (around the 5-10 minute mark), and again once or twice more before they're done, to ensure even crisping on all sides.
4. Check Doneness: Continue cooking and shaking until the fries are golden brown, crispy to your liking, and heated through to the center. Taste testing is recommended!
5. Serve: Carefully transfer the hot, crispy fries to a serving dish. If they weren't pre-seasoned, add salt or other desired seasonings immediately after removing them from the air fryer while they are still hot so the seasonings stick. Serve hot with your preferred dipping sauces.

This is one of the easiest ways to get fantastic crispy results from frozen foods! Explore our guide to the Best Air Fryer Frozen Foods for more ideas.

Tips for the Crispiest Air Fryer Fries Every Time

• Soak & Dry Fresh Fries: For homemade fries, do NOT skip soaking the cut potatoes in cold water (removes surface starch) and drying them *very* thoroughly before adding oil. This is the number one secret to crispy fresh fries.
• Don't Overcrowd: This applies to both fresh and frozen fries and is absolutely critical. Piling them up results in steaming and soggy fries. Cook in a single layer as much as possible. If your air fryer basket is small, cook in batches, or consider using accessories like multi-layer racks if your air fryer supports them. Proper air circulation makes them crispy! (See our tip on overcrowding)
• Shake Frequently: Shaking the basket every 5-7 minutes (or even more often) ensures all sides get even hot air exposure, leading to uniform crisping.
• Use the Right Temperature: Most fries do best at higher temperatures, typically 380-400°F (190-200°C), to cook through quickly and develop a crispy exterior before the inside gets mushy.
• A Little Oil Helps (Especially Fresh): Even a small amount of oil (about 1 tbsp per pound for fresh fries) aids in browning and crisping. For frozen, a quick spray is optional but can enhance the result.
• Pat Frozen Fries Dry (Optional but helps): If you notice a lot of visible ice crystals on your frozen fries straight from the bag, a quick pat down can help improve initial crisping.
• Season After Cooking (Mostly): For standard salt, add it immediately after air frying while they are hot and slightly oily so the salt sticks. If using a dry rub seasoning blend on fresh fries, you can add it with the oil before cooking.

Mastering these simple techniques will give you perfect, crispy results every time, whether you're making them from scratch or taking the frozen shortcut. Enjoy them as a quick snack, a delicious lunch side, or a crowd-pleasing addition to an Air Fryer Dinner.

Conclusion: Fast, Easy, Crispy Fries Await!

Your air fryer is truly your best friend when it comes to making french fries. With our detailed instructions for both fresh and frozen methods, and these key tips for maximum crispness, you'll be enjoying delicious, perfectly crispy fries with less oil in no time. They're a healthier, faster alternative to deep frying and deliver fantastic texture. Get air frying and enjoy!