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    Pinch Me Good! » Healthy Snacks and Appetizers » Healthy Air Fryer Fries – Easy and Delicious

    Healthy Air Fryer Fries – Easy and Delicious

    August 4, 2022 by Amy Estes 1 Comment

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    Crispy golden homemade French fries on a white dish with a dipping sauce with a yellow dish of salt and pepper behind it.
    White platter with a black rim lined with white parchment paper with golden yellow fries on it with a bowl of salt and pepper and a bole of herbs behind it and a sipping sauce in a bowl on the platter with the fries.
    Crispy golden French fries close up on a white and black baking sheet.
    Shoestring style French fries on a white dish with a dipping sauce.
    Pile of air fryer fries on a white platter with orange dipping sauce on the platter with them.
    Golden cooked fries in a black air fryer basket.

    Please note that some of the links are affiliate links and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links.

    Air fryer fries are a simple and easy way to make homemade fries without extra oil and calories.  You can make french fries in the air fryer from scratch that is crispy and satisfying with no deep frying needed!

    Crispy golden homemade French fries on a white dish with a dipping sauce with a yellow dish of salt and pepper behind it.

    French fries are kind of a thing in our house because my kids love them! It’s really never a battle to get them to eat fries, especially these incredible air fryer fries.

    They come out perfectly crispy and flavorful and are great for dipping in ketchup or your favorite sauce. My husband even said they tasted better than fast-food fries. Mission accomplished!!!

    This is why cooking with the air fryer is so great! I have made so many crispy, healthier versions of my favorite foods like crispy breaded chicken breast, coconut shrimp, and sweet potato chips that all come out wonderfully golden and delicious without extra oil and calories. I just love it!

    Why you’ll love this recipe

    • Perfectly crispy homemade fries from scratch with less oil and calories.
    • Easy to make, store, and reheat.
    • This is a gluten-free, paleo, vegan, whole30 recipe that everyone will love!
    • Kid-friendly and so easy to make!
    • They make the perfect side dish or snack!

    The secret to getting super crispy delicious fries

    Here are the key secrets to air frying fries that result in the most golden and crispy fries that resemble fast food fries.

    • Use the right type of potatoes – I have found that Russet or Yukon gold potatoes both work great!
    • Soak and dry the potatoes really well before you season and cook them. I like to soak mine in HOT water since it allows the potatoes to slightly cook, giving them that double fry crispy texture. Do not skip this step! This is the secret to super crispy fries.
    • Use a little bit of oil – you only need a little oil to get the fries perfectly crisp, golden, and delicious!
    • Cook them in batches. This allows you not to overcrowd your air fryer and helps the fries get nice and crispy all over. They are so good!
    Bowl of 4 potatoes with a yellow bowl filled with salt and pepper and a small bowl filled with olive oil in front of it with labels over each ingredient.

    Ingredients you will need

    This homemade french fries recipe only requires 3 simple ingredients.

    • Potatoes – I used Yukon Gold potatoes because I cannot eat russet but you can also use russet potatoes. This is important because picking the right type of potatoes for fries is key.
    • Olive oil + olive oil spray – just a little bit to get them nice and crispy.
    • Salt & pepper – to season the fries.

    What type of potatoes is best for making fries?

    Russet potatoes make the best fries since they are high in starch and have low moisture. So, if you can have them then I would suggest using russets. I cannot have russets, so I made this recipe with Yukon gold potatoes and they still turned out supremely golden, crispy, and so good!

    Sweet potato fries in the air fryer are also delicious!

    How to cut potatoes for fries

    To cut potatoes for fries, slice each potato in half, lengthwise using a sharp kitchen knife. Then lay the cut side of each potato on a flat surface and cut them into planks about 1/2 inch thick. Lay the planks on top of one another then slice them into fries that are 1/2-1/4 inch thick.

    How to make air fryer fries

    It is way easier than you think to make your own homemade restaurant-style fries right in the air fryer. They come out great and you will want to make them all the time!

    Round wooden cutting board with cut potato fries on it with knife next to it.
    Cut the potatoes into fries
    Uncooked cut potatoes in fry shapes in a glass bowl covered with water.
    Soak
    Cut uncooked French fries layer out on a brown kitchen towel.
    Rinse and dry
    Uncooked potato fried seasoned with salt and pepper in a round glass bowl.
    Season the fries
    Sliced uncooked potatoes in an air fryer basket.
    Add to the air fryer
    Air fryer French fries cooked in a square, black air fryer basket.
    Cook until crispy and golden
    1. Prepare the potatoes – Scrub the potatoes and dry them so they are nice and clean. Then slice each potato into planks and then cut the planks into long French fry shapes. Place the raw, cut fries into a large bowl and cover them with warm water. Let them sit in the water for about 30 minutes then drain and rinse them. Transfer the potatoes to a clean kitchen towel and dry them really well.
    2. Season the potatoes – Wipe out the bowl you soaked with potatoes in and add the dry potatoes back to that same bowl. Drizzle them with olive oil and season them well with salt and pepper. Toss to coat them all in the oil and seasoning.
    3. Cook the potatoes – Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F and spray the basket with olive oil spray. Working in batches, place half of the potatoes into the air fryer in an even layer. Close and cook the fries for 10 minutes, flipping them in the basket halfway through. At around 10 minutes, open the air fryer basket and spray them with more olive oil spray and shake them in the basket. Cook for 10 more minutes until they are golden and crispy.
    4. Serve – serve these air fryer fries right away with ketchup or your favorite dipping sauce. See dipping sauce suggestions below.
    Crispy air fryer French fires on a white platter with fry sauce in a bowl on the platter with a bowl of salt and a bowl of herbs behind it.

    Tips for making french fries in the air fryer

    • Cut the potatoes thinner rather than thicker – the thinner you cut the potatoes the faster they will cook. I prefer to cut them into shoestring fries since they just come out better in my opinion. This would be about 1/4 inch in thickness.
    • Soak and dry the potatoes in water before you air fry them – This is an important step since it will remove a lot of the starch from the potatoes which helps them get nice and crispy.
    • Dry them before you season them – once the potatoes are done soaking then you will want to drain them and dry them really well on a clean towel. I like to also pat them dry as well. This is an important step so make sure not to skip it!
    • Season the potatoes well before you air fry them – Potatoes are bland in nature and require lots of great seasoning to bring out their flavor. So it is important to season them well with salt and pepper before you cook them.
    • Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket – I know you have heard this one before but there is a reason why. Overfilling or crowding the air fryer will result in soggy fries and nobody wants that. Make sure to place the uncooked potatoes in an even layer, which means you will likely have to cook them in batches. Which is fine since it will be 100% worth it! They can be slightly overlapping, just not overcrowded.

    Dipping sauce recommendations

    • Ketchup
    • BBQ sauce
    • Ranch dressing
    • Homemade fry sauce (pictured) – 1/4 cup mayo mixed with 1 tablespoon bbq sauce, 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard and 1 tablespoon ranch dressing (similar to Chick-Fil-A sauce)
    Crispy golden French fries close up on a white and black baking sheet.

    Cooking times for homemade air fryer fries

    This will depend on a few things.

    • The shape and size you cut the potatoes will vary, which will change the cooking time. In this French fries recipe, I cut the potatoes to about 1/4 inch thick and they cooked perfectly in about 20-22 minutes.
    • The other factor will be the type of air fryer you are using. I tested this recipe with a Cosori 5.6-quart air fryer. For the best crispy fries, I recommend checking the potatoes as they cook and then adjusting the time and air fryer temperature from there.

    Seasoning suggestions

    I stuck to a classic seasoning of just oil, salt, and pepper, but there are plenty of other options too!

    • Italian seasoning – this gives the fries a nice Italian flavor and makes them taste really great dipped in some homemade tomato sauce. We also like to add a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese too! So good!
    • Seasoning salt – this is a great option that is made of a delicious combination of flavors like garlic, onion, paprika, salt, and pepper. It is also wonderful on popcorn.
    • Ranch – you can use store-bought ranch seasoning or make your own by combining onion powder, garlic powder, dried parsley, dried dill, salt, and pepper.
    • Taco seasoning – for a fun Mexican flavor for the fries.
    • Cajun seasoning – one of my favorites that make the fries taste like restaurant-style seasoned fries.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Do I have to soak the potatoes?

    While you do not have to soak the potatoes, skipping this step will result in soggier fries. Soaking them removes a lot of the starch that potatoes contain which allows them to get perfectly crispy when you air fry them.

    Is it essential to dry the potatoes before I air fry them?

    Yes! Drying the potatoes is another important step in this recipe that you should not skip. If they are not dry then the oil and seasoning will not stick to them well and they will not get as crispy when you cook them.

    What type of potatoes should I use for air fryer fries?

    The best types of potatoes I have found for air fryer fries are Yukon Gold or russet potatoes. You can also try red potatoes or sweet potatoes, although I have not tried those yet.

    Do I need to peel the potatoes?

    This is up to you! I prefer not to take this additional step since leaving the peels on gives the french fries some great texture.

    Pile of air fryer fries on a white platter with orange dipping sauce on the platter with them.

    Storing and reheating Suggestions

    These air fryer fries actually store and reheat really well!

    • Storing: You can store them in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
    • Freezing: You can freeze these fries after they have cooled completely. Then lay them on a baking tray and place them in the freezer for about an hour. Transfer them to a freezer-friendly container and keep them in the freezer for up to 2 months.
    • Reheating: To reheat fries in the air fryer, cook them at 350 degrees F for 3-4 minutes. They come out just the same as if you had just cooked them. It’s amazing! This also works for leftover restaurant fries. To reheat them from frozen, place them right from the freezer into the air fryer and air fry them at 370 degrees F until crispy and cooked through. This will take around 7-10 minutes.

    Other healthy fries recipes

    • 15-Minute Air Fryer Carrot Fries
    • Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
    • Easy Baked Eggplant Fries
    • Paleo Sweet Potato Fries
    • Air Fryer Green Bean Fries

    More Air Fryer Recipes

    • Zucchini Patties
    • Healthy Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
    • Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
    • Healthy Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
    • Air Fryer Apple Chips

    Did you try this air fryer fries recipe? If you did then I would love to hear from you! Please leave a comment and rating for this recipe below! You can also pin it to Pinterest and save it for later and please follow Pinch Me Good on Pinterest for all of my latest recipes!

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    Pile of air fryer fries on a white platter with orange dipping sauce on the platter with them.

    Air Fryer Fries – Crispy and healthy


    ★★★★★

    5 from 1 reviews

    • Author: Amy Estes
    • Total Time: 50 minutes
    • Yield: 4 servings 1x
    • Diet: Gluten Free
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    Air fryer fries are a simple and easy way to make homemade fries without extra oil and calories. These French fries are much healthier than fast food fries and they are so crispy and delicious. Gluten-free, paleo, vegan, and whole30.


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 3–4 Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes – scrubbed clean
    • 2–3 teaspoons olive oil + olive oil spray
    • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

    Instructions

    1. Prepare the potatoes – Scrub and dry the potatoes well so they are nice and clean.  Then cut the potatoes into planks and cut the planks into fry shapes that are about 1/4 inch thick. Place the raw, cut fries into a large bowl and cover them with HOT water. Let them sit in the water for 25-30 minutes.  Then drain them from the water and rinse them really well.  Place the potatoes onto a clean kitchen towel and dry them. Wipe out the bowl you soaked the potatoes in and add the potatoes back to the same bowl.
    2. Season the potatoes – Drizzle the potatoes with olive oil and season them really well with some salt and pepper then toss to coat them all.
    3. Cook the potatoes – Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F and spray the basket with olive oil spray. Working in batches, add half of the potatoes to the air fryer basket in an even layer. It is okay if a few are overlapping.  Close and cook the potatoes for 10 minutes, flipping them in the basket halfway through the cooking time. After 10 minutes, spray the fries with more olive oil spray and flip them in the basket again.  Then cook them for 10 more minutes until they are perfectly golden and crispy.
    4. Serve – Serve the potatoes nice and hot with your favorite dipping sauce.

    Equipment

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    Notes

    • Use russet or Yukon gold potatoes. Cut the potatoes into even-size fries so they all cook at the same time.
    • Do not skip the steps of soaking and drying the potatoes since this ensures they get nice and crispy and golden when you air fry them.
    • To store these cooked fries, keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
    • You can reheat these fries in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 3-4 minutes.
    • Prep Time: 30 minutes
    • Cook Time: 20 minutes
    • Category: Healthy Snacks and Appetizers
    • Method: Air fryer
    • Cuisine: American

    Keywords: air fryer fries, air fryer French fries, homemade French fries, French fries, fast-food fries

    Did you make this recipe?

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    « Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp – Gluten Free
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    Filed Under: Air Fryer Recipes, Dairy Free, Favorite Summer Recipes, Favorite Winter Recipes, Gluten-Free, Healthy Fall Favorites, Healthy Snacks and Appetizers, Kid-Friendly, Paleo, Vegan, Vegetarian Meals, Whole30

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lou

      January 22, 2023 at 3:14 pm

      These are awesome fries!

      ★★★★★

      Reply

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