Fresh-cut fries made in the air fryer are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, plus they are made without all the excess oil that you would have in a deep fryer. These Air Fryer Fresh-Cut French Fries are a family favorite because of the simple ingredients with restaurant-quality results.
Whether you’re serving burgers on a busy night, making a quick lunch, or looking for a kid-friendly side dish, these homemade air fryer fries are a reliable recipe that you can easily make again and again. I use just a few basic pantry seasonings plus potatoes to make these tasty fries. If you want to bring them up to a new level, try my air fryer truffle fries too.
What are Air Fryer Fresh-Cut French Fries?
Air Fryer Fresh-Cut French Fries are homemade French fries made from fresh potatoes that are cooked in air instead of being deep-fried. The circulating hot air creates a crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender and fluffy. Many families love these fries because you still get that crispy texture without using extra oil.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in less than 30 minutes!
- Made with fresh, real ingredients.
- Naturally gluten-free.
- Uses very little oil!
- Easy to customize with seasonings.
- Use different types of potatoes, like sweet potatoes, to make sweet potato fries!
Ingredient Notes
- Russet Potatoes – The best choice because of the high starch content.
- Olive Oil – Just a tiny amount to coat the fries in, also use an olive oil spray to coat the basket of the air fryer.
- Salt – Enhances the flavor of the potatoes.
- Black Pepper – Adds subtle seasoning and balances the flavors.
- Paprika – Adds some smoky flavor to the seasonings.
- Garlic Powder – Gives extra flavor without being overly powerful.
How to Make Air Fryer Fresh-Cut French Fries
- Clean and cut the potatoes into french fry slices, about 1/2-1/4 inch thick. It can be peeled or unpeeled.
- Set the air fryer to 400°F and let it preheat for 5 minutes.
- Lightly spray the basket with olive oil cooking spray.
- Place the potatoes into a bowl and drizzle with olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
- Mix them well to coat.
- Place each of the fries evenly into the basket, do multiple batches if needed.
- Air Fry at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, rotating halfway through cooking time if preferred.
- Remove when done and place on a sheet pan in the oven at 220°F until the remaining batches are complete.
- Finish remaining batches and serve.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Fresh Cut French Fries
- Soak potatoes if you prefer to remove excess starch in a pot of water for about 30 minutes.
- Dry the potatoes completely before adding the oil and seasoning.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket, leave room for air to circulate.
- Shake the basket or rotate the potatoes during the air frying time, about halfway through.
- Serve immediately for a crispy texture.
- Coat with olive oil spray if not browned enough for your liking.
Variations of Air Fryer Fresh Cut Potatoes
Make them Cheesy
Sprinkle them with grated Parmesan cheese immediately after cooking.
Add Ranch Seasoning
Toss the cooked fries in ranch seasoning for extra flavor just before serving.
Make them Cajun
Use Cajun seasoning in place of salt and pepper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Soaking will help improve crispiness, but I typically do not soak first. If you do soak the potatoes first, soak in a large bowl of water for 30 minutes.
The fries can come out without the crispy texture if you overcrowd the basket, have excess moisture, or do not cook long enough.
Yes, but you will not get the crispy brown texture.
More Air Fryer French Fries
What to Serve with Air Fryer Fresh French Fries
Storage Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. When ready to reheat, heat at 375°F for 3-5 minutes in the air fryer.
This crispy, flavorful, easy comfort food is ready to eat in minutes with restaurant-quality texture without all the oil. This is the perfect easy side dish for a variety of meals! It’s time to make Air Fryer Fresh Cut French Fries!
Air Fryer French Fries
Ingredients
- 3-4 Russet Potatoes Cleaned & Cut into Fry Slices – Peeled or Unpeeled
- 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 1/2 Tsp Salt
- 1/4 Tsp Black Pepper
- 1/4 Tsp Paprika
- 1/2 Tsp Garlic Powder
- Parsley to Garnish
Instructions
- Clean and cut the potatoes into french fry slices, about 1/2-1/4 inch thick. It can be peeled or unpeeled.
- Set the air fryer to 400°F and let it preheat for 5 minutes.
- Lightly spray the basket with olive oil cooking spray.
- Place the potatoes into a bowl and drizzle with olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
- Mix them well to coat.
- Place each of the fries evenly into the basket, do multiple batches if needed.
- Air Fry at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, rotating halfway through cooking time if preferred.
- Remove when done and place on a sheet pan in the oven at 220°F until the remaining batches are complete.
- Finish remaining batches and serve.
Theresa says
Parboil these babies first and it makes a world of difference
Lura Mcgavin says
The french fries made with fresh potatoes were great and I added dried chives with the other ingredients for seasoning, they were so good I won’t buy frozen anymore!!!!
Tracy K Morgan says
These are very good, BUT take longer than 10-12 minutes . . . closer to 18-20 minutes per batch, to get crispy outsides and soft interiors – even when spreading the potatoes out so they don’t touch at all.