Air Fryer French Fries {The Ultimate Recipe Guide}

The jury is in. This Air Fryer French Fries recipe may be the easiest way to make French fries at home. No doubt about it. The ultimate guide to air fryer french fries gives you the hacks, tips and tricks to accomplish what many home cooks fail to do: Make crispy, creamy French fries at home!

The 2 Types Of Potatoes That Make Great Air Fryer French Fries

Russet Potatoes

Russet potatoes can be found in almost every produce section of a grocery store or farmers market. They are large oval shaped potatoes with a medium brown skin. The starchy root potato has a white interior flesh that is good for french fries, roasting and baking.

Yukon Gold Potatoes

Yukon Gold Potatoes are starchy potatoes with a light yellow exterior and creamy colored flesh. The hybrid potato was developed in Ontario, Canada and is oval with smooth skin. The potato is good for french fries, but is best know for mashing.

While ordinary white potatoes have a lower starch content than Russet potatoes, they may also a good choice (in a pinch) for french fries. The Kennebeck white potato has a notable umami flavor and holds it shape very well when air frying. Because it holds it shape so well, it is best suited for making potato chips. 

5 Kinds Of Potato Cuts That Are Best For An Air Fryer

Shoestring French Fries

Shoestring French fries are very thinly cut potatoes, some as thin as matchsticks or “shoestrings”. Because they are so thin, ¼ inch by ¼ inch, the fries are very crispy. They can vary in length according to the size and length of the potato they cut from. 

Because matchstick, ⅛ inch x ⅛ inch, fries are so thin, blanch the cut potatoes for only 1 to 2 minutes before refrigerating. 

Steak Fries

Steak fries are a thicker cut of potato, ⅓ inch x ⅓ inch, that are similar in thickness to English style chips. The skin of the potato is usually left on and potatoes are cut into long wedges before frying. The best steak fries are cut from a Russet potato. When cooked properly, steak fires have a soft creamy center and a crispy exterior.

English Style Chips

English Style Chips are very similar to steak fries but are cut into slightly larger strips, ½ inch x ½ inch. They are cooked differently than an American style french fry because the chips are deep-fried only once and at a lower temperature to make sure the potato is cooked through with a crispy exterior and soft center.

Waffle Cuts and Crinkle Cuts  

Waffle Cut and Crinkle Cut fries are great cuts for air frying. A special knife tool, a crinkle cutter, is required to make these chips. 

For waffle fries, first peel the potato and then slice the potato into ¼ inch round slices. Rotate the potato 90 degrees between slices. A Russet potato is a good choice for waffle fries.

Slice these chips even thinner, ⅛ inch,  for a classic waffle American style homemade crispy potato chip.

For crinkle cut french fries, peel the potato and then first slice the potato length wise into ¼ slices and then cut each slice into long strips. A russet potato or white potato is a good choice for crinkle cut fries.

Why Do You Soak French Fries Before Frying?

Soaking potatoes in water will help remove starches in the potato. Excess starch can cause the potatoes to stick together when frying. Also, the sugar content is reduced by the soaking so that the potato will crisp properly without burning. The potatoes must be dried before frying.

Can You Use Canola Oil In An Air Fryer?

Thinking of using canola oil in your air fryer? Find out why you should consider it from this comprehensive overview and learn how to do it correctly!

Air fryers have become increasingly popular kitchen appliances, and part of having a successful air frying experience is using the right oil. Canola oil is becoming a popular choice, and this article will explain why it can be an ideal option for your air fryer. Learn the pros and cons of using canola oil in your air fryer, plus tips on how to do it correctly!

How to Use Canola Oil in an Air Fryer Properly

Using canola oil in your air fryer should be done with caution, as it has a higher flash point than other vegetable oils. Begin by following the manufacturer’s instructions for pre-heating your air fryer and adding canola oil to the basket. Once you have added the appropriate amount, set the temperature and cook time according to the recipe. Make sure that you check the food often, as canola oil has a tendency to smoke when heated beyond its flash point – therefore burning the food. Additionally, make sure to allow adequate time for cooling before pouring any of the excess oil from the air fryer basket to avoid spilling hot liquid.

Neutral flavored oils are best for air frying: vegetable oils, canola oil, peanut oil, safflower oil are good choices because they have high smoke points above 400 degrees. The smoke point is that temperature when the oil begins to burn. For example, safflower oil has a smoke point of 510 degrees.

Different Smoke Points Of Oils

Some oil smoke points can be as low as 300 degrees, while other refined oils have smoke points as high as 520 degrees.

Safflower Oil: 510 degrees

Safflower oil is a very popular frying cooking oil that has a light flavor and a high smoke point, which makes it an excellent choice for making french frying and other fried foods.

Canola Oil: 400 degrees

Canola oil has a stronger flavor and a lower smoke point than Safflower oil. It is lower in saturated fats than standard vegetable oils. Because of its lower smoke point, canola oil is best suited for baking, not deep-frying. Many aerosol spray oils are made with canola oil or blended canola oil.

Peanut Oil: 450 degrees

Peanut oil has a mild flavor and a high smoke point of 450 degrees.  Surprisingly, peanut oil is used in many Asian dishes and, across the south-east states of the US, peanut oil is preferred in deep-frying.

Derived from pressed peanuts, when the peanut oil is refined it does not cause allergic reaction in the majority of people who suffer from peanut allergies. However, if you are allergic to peanuts, you should consult your doctor first.

According to the Chick Fil A website, Chick Fil A uses refined peanut oil in their restaurants. Thrashers French Fries, Ocean City Maryland, has been using peanut oil to fry their french fries since 1929 and in my opinion they may be the best fries on the planet!

How To Make French Fries With An Air Fryer

For this air fryer french fries recipe you will need Russet potatoes, a small amount of peanut oil, salt and white vinegar. 

Step 1. Peel the Russet potatoes. Because we are using an air fryer, we’ll have to work in batches once we start cooking the french fries. Some people prefer to leave the potato skins on completely or just on the ends. Whatever your preference, that is fine in an air fryer.

Step 2. Cut the fries into long cuts, about ¼ inch thick, and place the cut potatoes in a bowl of ice water to cool and put them into the refrigerator for 1 to 3 hours.

Step 3. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add 1 teaspoon of white vinegar. Cook the potatoes for 4 minutes.

Step 4. Remove the blanched potatoes onto a tray lined with paper towels. Pat them dry and then refrigerate the uncovered potatoes for at least 3 hours, but preferable overnight. The vinegar in the water will help prevent the potatoes from discoloring.

Refrigerating the potatoes overnight, uncovered, will dry the potatoes and ensure a crispy fry. 

Ready. To. Air Fry.

Step 5. When you’re ready to cook crispy air fried french fries, spray the air fryer basket with canola or vegetable oil and then preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees. Toss the fries with peanut oil (1 tbsp)  and make sure they are lightly coated evenly. 

Place one layer of potatoes in the basket and  cook them for 16-18 minutes, depending on the thickness of your cut.

The air fried french fries will turn out to be surprisingly crispy and crunchy and perfectly browned. Better yet, without all the grease and fat of regular American style french fries. 

I found that after cooking the fries, that a light sprinkle of salt and pepper enhanced the flavor greatly. 

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Air Fryer French Fries Recipe 

Oven Baked French Fries

If you don’t have an air fryer and need an alternative to air fried potatoes, then you can bake the potato chips in the oven, and they will turn out great. 

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Place a sheet of parchment paper on a baking tray and lightly spray the sheet with vegetable or canola oil. Toss the potatoes with peanut oil (1tbsp) and lay the potatoes out in 1 layer on the baking sheet. 

Cook the potatoes for 12-15 minutes, flip them and cook another 12-15 minutes until golden brown and crispy.

Fry Sauces For Dipping

Garlic Aioli

To make a quick and easy garlic aioli dipping sauce for French fries, combine ¾ cup mayonnaise · 2 cloves minced garlic, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper. Put the aioli in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors develop.

Baltimore Tiger Sauce

Baltimore Pit Beef Tiger Sauce is not just for the sandwich. Anyone from Baltimore and the Eastern Shore can tell you that Tiger Sauce is superb as a French Fry dipping sauce.

To make Baltimore Tiger Sauce combine 1/2 cup of mayonnaise with 2 tablespoons of sour cream. Add in 1/4 cup of prepared horseradish and 1 tablespoon of dry mustard. Finish the Tiger sauce with 1/4 teaspoon of Kosher salt and 1/8 teaspoon of freshly cracked black pepper. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to let the flavors develop.

Comeback Sauce

If you’ve never had Comeback Sauce, then you have not experienced true French Fry southern dipping sauce nirvana. Comeback sauce is a Southern experience that is straightforward to make.

To make Comeback sauce start by whisking 1 cup of mayonnaise, 1/4 cup chili sauce, 2 tablespoons of ketchup, 1 teaspoon of hot sauce, half of a freshly squeezed lemon, 1 teaspoon of paprika, 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder and a pinch of salt and pepper to finish the Comeback sauce. Refrigerate the sauce for 30 minutes to let the flavors develop.

Fry Flavor Variations

The air fryer fries are just great with salt and pepper and apple cider vinegar. Reminding me of the tastes of the boardwalk in Ocean City. But, if you like some more adventurous flavors, more adult flavors, then try these variations of the air fryer fry.

Mexican Street Air Fryer Fries

I’m going to get comments about this. I’m quite certain that there is not a single air fryer on all the vendor street corners through Mexico. However, inspired by Mexican Street Corn, this air fryer french fry recipe is so simple.

Halfway through cooking the air fryer french fries, sprinkle Tajin Classico Seasoning on top of the fries. Give the fries a shake to mix them up and then close the drawer to finish cooking. When the french fries come out of the air fryer, drizzle mayonnaise on top of then fries, and more Tajin seasoning. Finish the dish by topping the fries with sweet corn, crumbled Cotija Cheese and chopped cilantro. A great vegetarian meal! But no one has to know.

Garlic Parmesan Air Fryer French Fries

If you are a garlic lover then Garlic Parmesan Air Fryer French Fries just seems natural, doesn’t it? You’ll need 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon of paprika, and 1 quarter cup of shredded Parmesan. Mix all the ingredients together, except for the Parmesan. Toss the Fries and then place them in the Air Fryer. Cook halfway, then open the basket and give the fries a good shake. Sprinkle the Parmesan all over the top of the fries and then continue to air fry until beautifully brown and crispy. A little fresh chopped parsley on top for a table side presentation!

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Have you tried this recipe for Great Air Fryer French Fries? If you have, please give us a comment in the section below and tell us what you thought or if you had any revisions that worked for you!

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