Crispy Air Fryer French Fries (Print Version)
Golden, ultra-crispy air fryer fries finished with flaky sea salt for the perfect savory side.
# Recipe Ingredients:
→ Potatoes
01 - 4 large russet potatoes (about 2 lbs), peeled and cut into 1/4-inch sticks
→ Seasonings & Oil
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon fine sea salt, plus more for finishing
04 - Flaky sea salt, to serve
→ Optional
05 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or smoked paprika
# Directions:
01 - Submerge the cut potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes to remove excess starch. Drain and pat completely dry with clean kitchen towels.
02 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
03 - In a large bowl, toss the dried potato sticks with olive oil, 1 teaspoon fine sea salt, and optional seasonings until evenly coated.
04 - Arrange the fries in the air fryer basket in a single layer without crowding. Cook in batches if necessary.
05 - Air fry for 15 to 20 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes, until fries are crisp and golden brown. Adjust time as needed.
06 - Immediately sprinkle with flaky sea salt and serve hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- They're genuinely crispy outside and tender inside, no greasy aftermath weighing you down.
- You can actually watch them cook through the air fryer window—there's something oddly satisfying about that.
- Cleanup is a joke compared to traditional fries, and your kitchen stays cool and calm.
02 -
- Skipping the soak will haunt you—soggy, starchy potatoes are a hard lesson to learn only once.
- The shake-every-five-minutes rule sounds annoying but delivers restaurant-quality evenness that's worth it.
03 -
- If you're feeding a crowd, cook in batches and keep the first batch warm in a low oven (keep them uncovered so they don't steam and lose their crispiness).
- Yukon Golds create a creamier, almost buttery fry if you want a different texture experience without sacrificing quality.