Air Fryer French Fries Done Right

Few snacks or sides are more universally loved than a basket of golden, crispy fries. The air fryer is a game changer. It gives you the crunch of deep-fried chips, but without the mess or extra oil.

You can make the best air fryer fries at home. Just use a few ingredients and some care. If you’re craving a side dish or a snack, knowing how to make crispy fries in an air fryer is a handy skill to have.

This blog shares tips, tricks, and flavour ideas to help you master homemade fries in an air fryer. It’s an easy and healthy way to enjoy them.

Why the Air Fryer Is Perfect for Fries

Air fryers cook food by quickly moving hot air around. This method mimics deep frying but doesn’t require a lot of oil. This method allows fries to crisp on the outside while staying fluffy inside.

What makes it better?

• Less oil = fewer calories
• Faster cooking times than an oven
• Minimal clean-up
• Consistent, reliable texture

Once you get the technique right, you’ll stop buying frozen bags or turning to takeaways for your chip fix.

Choosing the Right Potatoes for the Best Results

Not all potatoes deliver the same crunch. For truly crispy fries air fryer style, you need the right kind of spud.

Best Potatoes for Air Frying

• Maris Piper: Fluffy inside and ideal for chips
• King Edward: Slightly sweeter but crisps beautifully
• Desiree: Holds shape well, with a creamy texture
• Russet (in the US): Excellent crisping potential

Waxy varieties tend to become soft or chewy, so it’s best to avoid them for fries.

How to Cut Fries for Even Cooking

Consistency is key. Even-sized fries cook better. This means no burnt edges or undercooked centres.

Tips for Slicing Your Chips

• Aim for 6–10mm thick sticks for traditional fries
• Use a sharp knife or a mandoline for uniformity
• Thinner cuts = crispier finish but higher risk of drying out
• Thicker chips = fluffier inside but may need longer cook time

No matter what size you choose, aim to cut them as evenly as possible.

Soaking: The Secret to Next-Level Crispiness

The key to making great homemade fries, as air fryer fans agree, is soaking.

Why Soak?

Soaking raw potato slices in cold water for at least 30 minutes removes excess starch. This helps fries crisp up properly in the air fryer and prevents sticking.

Dry thoroughly after soaking — moisture is the enemy of crunch.

Seasoning: Before or After?

Seasoning is where you can really customise your fries.

Basic Method

• Toss with a light spray of oil
• Season with salt and preferred spices
• You can season either before or after cooking
• For spices that can burn easily, such as garlic powder or paprika, add them halfway through cooking or afterwards.

Salt works best when added before cooking. However, herbs and spices should be added later to prevent bitterness.

If you’re new to air frying, you might want to check out our handy Getting Started with Your First Air Fryer guide.

How to Cook the Best Air Fryer Fries

Cooking fries well in the air fryer is about timing, temperature, and airflow.

General Technique

• Preheat the air fryer (if your model recommends it)
• Lay fries in a single layer — avoid overcrowding
• Shake or flip halfway through for even browning
• Cook at 180–200°C for 15–20 minutes, depending on size and thickness

Keep an eye near the end — they can turn from golden to burnt very quickly in the last few minutes.

Oil: Less Is More

While air frying uses much less oil than deep frying, a tiny bit still goes a long way.

Choosing the Right Oil

• Avocado oil: High smoke point, neutral flavour
• Rapeseed (canola) oil: Light and budget-friendly
• Olive oil: Rich flavour but can darken quicker

Use a spray bottle for the lightest coating, or toss in a teaspoon or two by hand.

Crispy Fries Air Fryer Variations to Try

Once you’ve nailed the basic fry, it’s time to get creative. Here are a few twists to keep things exciting:

Spicy Sweet Potato Fries

• Slice sweet potatoes into thin sticks
• Toss with a pinch of cayenne, garlic powder, and paprika
• Cook slightly longer (20–25 minutes) for crispy edges

Garlic Herb Fries

• Air fry plain fries. Then, toss them with garlic granules, parsley, and a drizzle of olive oil after cooking.

Parmesan Truffle Chips

• Once cooked, toss hot fries with a little truffle oil and grated vegan or dairy Parmesan

These tasty flavours make everyday fries special. They’re perfect for sharing or for a weekend meal.

Serving Suggestions for Homemade Fries

Fries are endlessly adaptable — as a side, a snack, or even the base of a meal.

Serve With:

• Classic ketchup or aioli
• Chilli mayo or chipotle dip
• Topped with vegan cheese and jalapeños for loaded fries
• Paired with grilled vegetables or plant-based burgers
• Added to wraps or burrito bowls for extra crunch

Fries do not need to be just a side — they can be the star with the right pairings.

Batch Cooking and Reheating Tips

Want to make fries ahead of time or save leftovers? No problem.

Storage Tips

• Cooked fries last up to 3 days in the fridge
• Reheat in the air fryer at 180°C for 3–5 minutes
• Avoid microwaving — it ruins the texture
• Freeze raw-cut, soaked fries to cook from frozen later

Batch prepping saves time and helps with portion control throughout the week.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even the best air fryer fries can flop with a few missteps.

What to Watch Out For

• Skipping the soak: Leads to limp fries
• Overcrowding the basket: Prevents crisping
• Not shaking halfway: Causes uneven cooking
• Too much oil: Makes fries soggy instead of crispy
• Cutting uneven pieces: Results in mixed doneness

Avoiding these pitfalls keeps your fry game strong and consistent.

Fries That Are Crisp, Clean, and Craveable

Once you know how to make crispy fries in an air fryer, you’ll look at frozen chips and takeaways in a new way.

Homemade fries give you full control — over flavour, texture, and nutrition. They’re quick to prepare, endlessly customisable, and healthier than traditional versions.

Whether you prefer thick-cut wedges, spicy sweet potato sticks, or perfectly golden shoestrings, these homemade fries air fryer methods bring delicious results every time.

Master the balance of soak, cut, oil, and timing — and the best air fryer fries will always be just minutes away.

(For more creative snack ideas, don’t miss: Frozen Snacks You Can Air Fry.)