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Perfectly Crispy Air Fryer French Fries

A close-up of golden, crispy air fryer french fries piled high on a white plate, ready to eat.

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Make genuinely crispy, golden-brown French fries using your air fryer with minimal oil. This recipe uses fresh potatoes and a simple technique for a tender inside and crunchy outside.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large Russet potatoes
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

  1. Peel the potatoes and cut them into uniform 1/4-inch thick sticks.
  2. Place the cut potatoes in a large bowl and cover them completely with cold water. Soak the potatoes for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours. This removes excess starch.
  3. Drain the water completely. Rinse the potatoes under cold running water.
  4. Dry the potatoes thoroughly using clean kitchen towels or paper towels. This step is crucial for crispiness.
  5. In the bowl, toss the dry potatoes with the oil, salt, and garlic powder until lightly coated.
  6. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
  7. Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, or in batches if necessary. Do not overcrowd the basket.
  8. Air fry for 15 to 20 minutes, shaking the basket vigorously every 5 minutes, until the fries are golden brown and crispy.
  9. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • For extra crispiness, you can soak the cut potatoes in ice water for 1 hour, then boil them for 3 minutes, drain, dry completely, and then proceed with oiling and air frying.
  • If using frozen fries, skip the soaking and drying steps, and cook according to package directions, usually at 380°F (195°C) for 12-15 minutes.
  • For a Parmesan variation, toss the cooked fries with 1 tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese immediately after removing them from the air fryer.

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