By Becky Hardin
Updated Jul 15, 2025
I’m a huge fan of French fries, and I absolutely love making these Air Fryer French fries. This air fryer method of cooking fries uses much less oil than the deep frying method and still results in a golden brown, crispy texture.
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Easy Air Fryer Fries
I’m always on the hunt for ways to make our favorite comfort foods a little lighter and easier—and these Air Fryer French Fries have become a total game-changer in our house. They’re perfectly crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and made with just a touch of oil—no deep fryer required! I love that I can whip up a batch in minutes, whether we’re serving burgers, sandwiches, or just need a salty snack. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll never go back to frozen fries again!
Making these delicious French fries in an Air Fryer is simple and requires only a few basic ingredients. It doesn’t get any easier than this!
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 6 large russet potatoes peeled or unpeeled
- ▢ ¼ cup olive oil canola or vegetable, avocado, or peanut all work
- ▢ kosher salt to taste
Instructions
- Use a mandoline or knife to cut the potatoes into fry-shaped pieces. 6 large russet potatoes
- Transfer the pieces to a large bowl filled with cold water. Allow the fries to soak for at least 1 hour. Rinse the fries off in a colander.
- Transfer to a baking sheet lined with a paper towel. Pat the fries dry with additional paper towels. Dispose of the paper towel, so just the potatoes remain on the baking sheet.
- Preheat air fryer to 380°F.
- Drizzle the potatoes with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. ¼ cup olive oil, kosher salt
- Arrange 1 batch of fries in an even layer in the air fryer.
- Cook for 8-10 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Transfer to a new baking sheet and place in a warm oven so they stay warm and crispy.
- Repeat with the remaining fries and serve immediately.
Equipment
- Mandoline Slicer (optional)
- Air Fryer (click for my favorite)
- Baking Sheet
Becky’s Tips
- You can soak the potatoes for up to 24 hours before frying. Store them in the refrigerator while they soak. Soaking removes excess starch, which keeps the potatoes from sticking together. It also helps to ensure that the potatoes will be extra crispy once air-fried!
- Thoroughly dry the potatoes before air frying them to prevent oil splatter.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer, or the fries will steam and turn soggy.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Air Fryer French Fries Step by Step
Cut and soak the potatoes : Use a mandoline or knife to cut 6 potatoes into French fry-shaped pieces.Transfer to a large bowl filled with cold water. Allow the fries to soak for at least 1 hour. Rinse the fries off in a colander.
Dry the potatoes: Transfer to a baking sheet lined with a paper towel. Pat the fries dry with additional paper towels. Dispose of the paper towel, so just the potatoes remain on the baking sheet.
Preheat air fryer to 380°F. Drizzle the potatoes with ¼ cup olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
Place in air fryer: Arrange 1 batch of fries in an even layer in the air fryer.
Cook : Cook for 8-10 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Transfer to a new baking sheet and place in a warm oven so they stay warm and crispy.
Repeat and serve: Repeat with the remaining fries and serve immediately.
Variations
This base french fry recipe is perfect for customization! Sprinkle the hot fries with:
- Ranch seasoning
- Italian seasoning
- Everything bagel seasoning
- Chili seasoning
- Blackened seasoning
- Taco seasoning
How to Store
Store leftover air fryer French fries in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in a single layer in a 325°F air fryer for about 5 minutes.
Freeze air fryer french fries in a single layer on a lined baking sheet until solid, about 1-2 hours. Transfer to an airtight container or Ziplock bag to store for up to 3 months. Reheat directly from frozen in a single layer in a 325°F air fryer for about 7-8 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
Crispy air fryer fries are made for dipping, and while ketchup is always a classic, I love mixing things up. My go-tos are a creamy homemade ranch dressing , a savory fry sauce , or that sweet and tangy Yum Yum Sauce . And when I’m really craving something familiar, I’ll even whip up a quick copycat Chick Fil A sauce —so good with those golden fries!
more french fry recipes
Homemade French Fries
Bacon Cheese Fries with Ranch
Shoestring Fries
Sweet Potato Fries
Air Fryer French Fries Recipe
Equipment
- Mandoline Slicer (optional)
- Air Fryer (click for my favorite)
- Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 6 large russet potatoes peeled or unpeeled
- ¼ cup olive oil canola or vegetable, avocado, or peanut all work
- kosher salt to taste
Instructions
- Use a mandoline or knife to cut the potatoes into fry-shaped pieces. 6 large russet potatoes
- Transfer the pieces to a large bowl filled with cold water. Allow the fries to soak for at least 1 hour. Rinse the fries off in a colander.
- Transfer to a baking sheet lined with a paper towel. Pat the fries dry with additional paper towels. Dispose of the paper towel, so just the potatoes remain on the baking sheet.
- Preheat air fryer to 380°F.
- Drizzle the potatoes with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. ¼ cup olive oil, kosher salt
- Arrange 1 batch of fries in an even layer in the air fryer.
- Cook for 8-10 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Transfer to a new baking sheet and place in a warm oven so they stay warm and crispy.
- Repeat with the remaining fries and serve immediately.
Notes
- You can soak the potatoes for up to 24 hours before frying. Store them in the refrigerator while they soak. Soaking removes excess starch, which keeps the potatoes from sticking together. It also helps to ensure that the potatoes will be extra crispy once air-fried!
- Thoroughly dry the potatoes before air frying them to prevent oil splatter.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer, or the fries will steam and turn soggy.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
