These Air Fryer Homemade Fries are crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and way healthier than deep frying. They take just 10 minutes of prep and 25 minutes to cook—perfect for busy weeknights or anytime you’re craving comfort food without the grease.

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Ingredients
- Potatoes – I use Russet or Yukon Gold. Russets give you that classic fry texture, but Yukons are buttery and rich. Just make sure they’re starchy—not waxy.
- Avocado oil – A great high-smoke-point oil that helps the fries crisp up. You can sub olive oil in a pinch, but I get the best results with avocado oil.
- Salt – I like fine sea salt here—it sticks better.
- Black pepper – Adds a little bite. Freshly ground is best!
- Feel free to add garlic powder, paprika, or Italian herbs if you want to switch up the flavor.
📋 You can find the full ingredient list in the Recipe Card below the article.
How To Make Fries in Air Fryer
- Preheat the air fryer: Set it to 360°F and let it heat up for about 5 minutes.
- Prep the potatoes: Wash, peel, and cut them into even sticks—about ¼ inch thick. Even size = even cooking!
- Soak the fries: Add the cut potatoes to a large bowl of cold water. Soak for 30 minutes to remove excess starch (this helps them get crisp!).
- Dry thoroughly: Drain the water and pat the fries completely dry with a towel.
- Season: Toss the dry fries with avocado oil, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl until coated.
- Air fry: Arrange the fries in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Don’t overcrowd—work in batches if needed.
- Cook: Air fry for 20–25 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes. You want them golden brown and crispy.
- Cool slightly and serve: Let them rest for a minute or two before serving with your favorite dipping sauce.
- My favorite air fryer!
Don’t overcrowd the basket – Cook in batches if needed. Too many fries in the basket = steaming instead of air frying.
Tips
- Dry thoroughly – After soaking, dry the potatoes really well. I use a clean kitchen towel and press gently. If they’re damp, they’ll steam instead of crisp.
- Don’t skip the oil... unless you really want to – A tiny bit of avocado oil (or olive oil) helps them brown evenly. If you’re going for no oil, they’ll still cook, but they won’t be quite as golden or flavorful.
- Even cutting = even cooking – I try to cut the fries about ¼ inch thick and as evenly as possible so they cook at the same time and temp.
- Shake the basket often – Every 5 minutes, I give the basket a good shake to make sure all the fries cook evenly and get crispy on all sides.
- Frozen fries work too – Don’t feel like cutting potatoes? You can use store-bought frozen fries. No need to thaw—just adjust the time and temp slightly (add 3–5 more minutes).
- Season your way – Salt and pepper are classic, but I love adding smoked paprika or garlic powder for extra flavor. Cajun seasoning is great if you want a little heat.
- Make it a healthy side – These fries are way more healthy than deep-fried versions. I make them for my kids without any guilt, and they love them with homemade mayo or a yogurt-based dip.
What to Serve With Homemade Fries
These fries are super versatile—I serve them with everything from burgers to veggie bowls.
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings – Game night made better.
- Air Fryer Steak Bites
- Healthy Coleslaw
- Salmon Burgers
Freezing And Storing Instructions
- To Store. To Store: Keep leftover fries in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To Freeze: Freeze in a single layer first, then transfer to a bag. Use within 2 months for best texture.
- To Make Ahead: Cut and soak the potatoes ahead of time. Store them in water in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
- To Reheat: Pop them back in the air fryer at 360°F for 3–5 minutes to get the crisp back.
- Reheat like a pro – Leftover fries? Toss them back in the air fryer at 360°F for 3–5 minutes. They crisp right back up—sometimes even better than before.
More Potato Recipes
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Recipe Card
Air Fryer Crispy Homemade Fries
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INGREDIENTS
- 4 large potatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, or avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat the air fryer: Set it to 360°F and let it heat up for about 5 minutes.
- Prep the potatoes: Wash, peel, and cut them into even sticks—about ¼ inch thick. Even size = even cooking!4 large potatoes
- Soak the fries: Add the cut potatoes to a large bowl of cold water. Soak for 30 minutes to remove excess starch (this helps them get crisp!).
- Dry thoroughly: Drain the water and pat the fries completely dry with a towel.
- Season: Toss the dry fries with olive oil, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl until coated.
- Air fry: Arrange the fries in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Don’t overcrowd—work in batches if needed.
- Cook: Air fry for 20–25 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes. You want them golden brown and crispy.
- Cool slightly and serve: Let them rest for a minute or two before serving with your favorite dipping sauce.
- If you loved this recipe, please leave a 5-star rating and review below!
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NUTRITION
Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on the products used.
Full Nutrition Disclaimer can be found here.
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