Crispy Homemade Air Fryer French Fries that can give the more traditionally made deep fried french fries a run for their money. 🙂
In this post, I’ve shared two ways of making them using the Phillips Air Fryer & the Mealthy CrispLid, and compared the two methods in a video.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve always had a very big appetite for all different kinds of savory snacks. So long as it’s salty and crunchy, I can probably have it.
And especially during this time when we are all staying home for extended periods, there seems to be this endless demand for snacks – from everyone!
Which is why I am especially thankful for having an air fryer at my disposal. It helps make most snacks almost guilt free.
And french fries are an all time classic favorite!
In the past, we used to go with the deep fried french fries, and then tried the oven baked french fry – both delicious in their own right. But neither were as quick and hassle free as air fryer french fries. Not to mention guilt free. Though I’ve to admit that the oven baked fries do come close.
Oh and side note / fun fact – did you ever wonder..
Are French Fries really French?
Interestingly enough, no. Or at-least it’s debatable. Because it’s believed that American soldiers first tasted these fries when they were stationed in Belgium during World War 1. And only nicknamed them “French Fries” because the Belgian army spoke in French.
But as it happens, for better or for worse, the name stuck, and it’s probably led to all of us attributing the wrong country for the delightful fries! 😀
Anyway, moving on to..
Important Notes to Make the BEST Potato Fries!
There are few things you need to take note of before making french fries. Trust me, it will help you make the BEST french fries ever!
Russet or Idaho potatoes are best for making french fries because they are denser, retain less moisture, and have a high starch content. Avoid waxy potatoes, new potatoes, red skin potatoes, and fingerling potatoes.
The easiest way to cut potato into fries is by slicing it lengthwise first and then cutting the slices into sticks. I prefer to cut the potatoes lengthwise into 3/8th inch slices. And then cut each slice into 3/8th inch stick to get an even 3/8th inch fry.
It’s important to soak the potatoes in water before frying them to get rid of all the excess starch. You can either soak in cold water for 30 mins, or first soak in cold water for 5 minutes, followed by soaking in boiling hot water for 10 mins.
I prefer the texture of the fries that have been soaked in cold as well as hot water better. But it’s the soaking that is important, the temperature of water is not that critical.
Either way, just ensure to pat the fries dry, and let them cool to room temperature before frying them.
We all know that it’s best to deep fry items in small batches. The same is true for air frying. How many fries you can air fry at one time will depend on the size of your air fryer.
For my Phillips Air Fryer – the ideal batch size is fries from 2 medium potatoes ( or 1 pound of potatoes). The Mealthy CrispLid holds a little lesser than that, mostly because I prefer to not stack in the CrispLid basket.
If you have followed all the above steps, then you will have crispy fries. Because to make french fries crispy, all you need is
1. The right kind of potatoes – russet or idaho
2. Evenly cut fries – for even crisp
3. Properly soaked fries – cold or hot water
4. Smaller batch size – to avoid over crowding
Air Fried French Fries Recipe
Now that we’ve gone over the basics of french fries, here’s what you’ll need to make them at home.
Ingredients
There are only 3 main ingredients for making french fries – potatoes, salt, and oil. Everything else is optional.
- Potatoes – 1 pound
- Salt – ½ teaspoon
- Oil – 1 tablespoon
Prepping the potatoes
- Peel the potatoes, and cut them lengthwise into ⅜ th inch thick slices. And then cut each slice into ⅜ th inch thick sticks to get even ⅜ th inch french fries.
- Rinse these french fry sticks well to remove all the excess starch, and then soak these sticks in cold water for 5 mins, followed by hot water for 10 mins. Once done, drain, and pat dry.
Alternatively, you can just soak them for 30 minutes in cold water. I just prefer the texture of fries by doing this double soak in cold & hot water. Either way, just ensure to pat the fries dry, and let them cool to room temperature before frying them. - When the potato sticks have cooled down to room temperature, add 1 tbsp oil, and try to coat it lightly over all the potato sticks.
Phillips Air Fryer
- Air Fry @ 390 F for 20-25 minutes, flipping once at the 10 minute mark.
- This is optional, but I usually prefer to add salt at the 10 minute mark too. Though you can choose to add salt before frying, or after the entire air frying cycle is done.
- Keep a close watch after the 20 minute mark, checking in every couple of minutes, and stop air frying when the fries are done to your preferred texture and crunchiness.
Mealthy CrispLid
- Prep the potatoes the same way as shared above.
- Air Fry @ 400 F for 20 minutes, setting the timer for 10 minutes at a time.
- At the 10 minute mark, flip the fries. I prefer to salt them at this time too. But you can choose to add salt before frying, or after the entire air frying cycle is done.
- You can air fry for a few more minutes after the 20 minute mark, till the fries are done to your preferred texture and crunchiness.
CrispLid Fries vs Air Fryer Fries
In this video, I have made fries using Phillips Air Fryer and the Mealthy CrispLid, keeping most variables constant. So you’ll be able to see for yourself how the two methods compare, and how the fries turn out using these two different air frying systems!
How to Reheat French Fries?
If you have leftover fries (by some miracle!! no really, how?) then you can reheat them using a heated skillet (preferably cast iron) on the stove-top, or re-heat them using the oven or the air fryer.
But I have to tell you that the BEST way to re-heat fries is by tossing them in the air fryer basket for 5 ish minutes @390 F. Of-course the time will vary based on the batch size and how crispy you want your fries.
Serving Suggestion
Serve crispy fries with ketchup, ranch, or your choice of dipping sauce.
Or season with pepper, chilli flakes, garlic powder or grated parmesan before serving with a sauce. 🙂
You may also like:
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Bites
Chicken 65 – Air Fryer Recipe
Restaurant Style Garlic Bread
As always, I hope you found this recipe useful. If you did, please let me know your rating ⭐️ and feedback 📲 in the comments below, or simply rate the recipe right on the recipe card. I’d really appreciate it. ❤️
Air Fryer French Fries – 2 Ways
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 medium potatoes total weight 1 pound
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
Prepping the Potatoes
- Peel the potatoes, and cut them lengthwise into ⅜th inch thick slices. Then cut each slice into ⅜th inch thick sticks to get an even 3/8th inch thickness of the french fry.
- Rinse the potato sticks well to remove all the excess starch, and then soak them in cold water for 5 mins, followed by soaking them in hot water for 10 mins.
- Once done, drain, and pat dry.
- When the potato sticks have cooled down to room temperature, add 1 tbsp oil, and try to coat it lightly over all the sticks.
Air Frying using Phillips Air Fryer
- Air Fry @ 390 F for 20-25 minutes, flipping once at the 10 minute mark.
- At the 10 min mark, also add ½ tsp salt to the fries in the air fryer basket, and give them a good toss.
- Keep a close watch after the 20 minute mark, checking in every couple of minutes, and stop air frying when the fries are done to your preferred texture and crunchiness.
Air Frying using Mealthy CrsipLid
- Air Fry @ 400 F for 20 minutes, flipping once at the 10 minute mark.
- At the 10 min mark, also add ½ tsp salt to the fries in the air fryer basket, and turn them over.
- You can air fry for a few more minutes after the 20 minute mark, till the fries are done to your preferred texture and crunchiness.
- Serve hot and crispy with a dip. You can choose to season with pepper powder, chilli flakes, garlic powder or grated parmesan before serving.
Notes
- Kind of Potatoes – Idaho or russet potatoes work best because they are denser, with less moisture, and have a high starch content.
- Size of French Fry – This depends on personal preference of-course, but I’ve found that fries that are cut ½ or ⅜ th of an inch thick work best with an air fryer.
- Cold Vs Hot Water Soak – Either will work. Soak for 30 minutes in cold water or 5 minutes in cold water followed by 10 minutes in hot water. The important thing is to soak before frying. I just prefer the texture of fries after the double soak in cold & hot water.
- Time to Salt – You can add salt before you put the fries in the air fryer, at the halfway mark in the air fryer, or after the fries are fully done, and are still hot. I find adding salt at the halfway mark the best, but you can add salt at any of these 3 times, depending on the texture you prefer (because it will vary).
- Air Fry Batch Size – As a general rule, it’s always best to air fry in small batches. The exact batch size will depend on the size of your air fryer. For my Phillips Air Fryer – the ideal batch size is fries from 2 medium potatoes ( or 1 pound of potatoes). The Mealthy CrispLid holds a little lesser than that, mostly because I prefer to not stack in the CrispLid basket.
Please note: The nutrition values are best estimates provided as a courtesy. The exact values can vary depending on the exact ingredients or brands used. If you rely on them for your specific diet and/or health issues, please consult a registered dietician or nutritionist.
Nutrition
Video Recipe
This post was first published in Jun 2020, and has been republished with updated notes /method and recipe video in Oct 2020.
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Now this is so not the time to share this recipe! I do not have an air fryer… I will have to actually fry the french fries in oil!
Haha..think of it as a one-off indulgence then. 😀
I am so glad someone finally pointed out that it is Belgian fries, not french 😀
Sadly, even though I bought an air fryer years ago for my parents, they have not used it for at least 3 years
I think it is normal to be resistant to change. 🙂 Especially for folks in our parents generation. I know I delayed using my Instant Pot for months! But I am sure they will love the air fryer when they finally use it. 🙂
I oven bake them and they turn out just as good. I also add lots of garlic while baking. Those crispy roasted garlic tastes more delicious than the potatoes at times 🙂
Yes, that has been my go to for years – oven baked fries with a sprinkling of garlic and grated Parmesan (makes it a little indulgent, but why not? 😀 )
Now this is something I can definitely do. Got a air fryer too. Although not sure about what kind of potatoes we got. Will have to check that. Thanks for awesome recipe 😀
Any potatoes that are denser with a high starch content will do. Just avoid the waxier kind.
I dont have a air fryer but I love the receipe maybe I will try with little oil
The tips for prepping the potatoes will hold good, no matter the method. 🙂 Good luck!