Crispy Air Fryer French Fries (Printable View)

Golden, crispy fries finished with flaky sea salt made simply in the air fryer.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Potatoes

01 - 4 large russet potatoes

→ Seasonings & Oil

02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon sea salt, plus extra for serving
04 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (optional)

→ Optional Garnishes

05 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
06 - ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika

# Cooking Steps:

01 - Wash and optionally peel the potatoes, then cut into ¼-inch thick fries.
02 - Submerge fries in a large bowl of cold water and soak for at least 15 minutes to remove excess starch.
03 - Drain the potatoes and thoroughly pat them dry using a clean kitchen towel.
04 - Toss the fries with olive oil, 1 teaspoon sea salt, and black pepper (if using) until evenly coated.
05 - Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3 minutes before cooking.
06 - Place fries in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.
07 - Cook fries for 18 to 22 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden and crispy.
08 - Transfer fries to a serving dish, sprinkle with additional sea salt and optional garnishes. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • These fries get shatteringly crisp without a drop of frying oil or the mess that comes with it.
  • Theyre ready in half an hour and taste better than anything from the freezer aisle.
  • You control the salt, the seasoning, and the thickness, so theyre exactly how you like them every single time.
02 -
  • Drying the fries thoroughly after soaking is non negotiable, because even a little water will ruin the texture.
  • Dont skip shaking the basket halfway through or the bottoms will brown too fast while the tops stay pale.
  • Russets really do make the biggest difference, Yukon Golds are fine but they wont get quite as crispy.
03 -
  • A mandoline slicer with a fry blade makes cutting uniform fries almost effortless and saves your knuckles.
  • Toss the hot fries with a tiny pinch of garlic powder or truffle salt right after cooking for an instant upgrade that feels fancy.
  • If your air fryer runs hot, start checking at sixteen minutes to avoid burning, every model behaves a little differently.

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