Description
Crispy and golden Air Fryer French Fries made with simple seasonings and just a touch of oil for a healthier, easy-to-make side dish. Perfectly seasoned with paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper, these fries come out crisp on the outside and tender on the inside using your air fryer.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes
- 1 pound russet potatoes (2 large or 3 medium)
Seasoning and Oil
- 1 teaspoon neutral vegetable oil (or more as needed, do not add too much oil to avoid sogginess)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Salt to taste (about 1/2 teaspoon total recommended)
Instructions
- Prep/soak: Scrub potatoes clean. Peel if desired (optional). Slice into 1/4 – 1/2 inch thick fries (½ inch for steakhouse style, ¼ inch for classic french fries). Place fries in a large bowl and cover with ice-cold water. Soak for 30 minutes to remove excess starch for crispier fries.
- Dry and season: Drain and rinse the soaked potatoes, then thoroughly pat dry with paper towels to remove moisture. Place dried potatoes in a large bowl, drizzle with just enough oil to coat evenly, avoiding excess oil. In a small bowl, mix ground paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper, then toss the fries in this seasoning blend until well coated.
- Air fry: Preheat air fryer to the highest setting for 5 minutes. Arrange a single layer of seasoned fries in the hot air fryer basket. Air fry at 385°F (196°C) for 15 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking. Check the fries at 15 minutes, and add an additional 2-5 minutes if needed for your preferred level of crispness.
- Salt and serve: Immediately transfer fries to a bowl after cooking and toss with salt to taste. Serve hot and enjoy! Repeat air frying in batches with any remaining fries using the same method.
Notes
- Soaking the potatoes in cold water is key to removing excess starch and achieving crispier fries.
- Do not over-oil the fries; too much oil can cause sogginess.
- Shaking the basket during cooking helps fries cook evenly and crisp up on all sides.
- Cooking time may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model and potato thickness.
- For extra crispiness, you can pat the fries dry again after soaking and before oiling.
