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Homemade French Fries in the Air Fryer come out crisp around the edges, fluffy in the middle, and full of Cajun flavor. They’re an easy way to make fresh fries at home without dealing with a pot of hot oil.
Serve these homemade fries in the air fryer with Chipotle Mayonnaise for dipping, or add them to a meal with my Fried Chicken Sandwich, Ground Chicken Burgers, or Air Fryer Steak. You can also browse my Air Fryer Recipes for more easy meal ideas.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crisp outside and fluffy inside: Soaking the russet potatoes before cooking helps give the fries a better texture.
- Only four ingredients: You just need potatoes, salt, oil, and Cajun seasoning.
- Works in different air fryers: You can make the full batch in an air fryer oven or cook the fries in smaller batches in a standard basket.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here are a few helpful notes about the ingredients. Find the exact amounts in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Russet potatoes: I use about 1½ pounds. Russets work especially well because they get fluffy inside while the edges turn crisp. You can leave the skins on or peel them.
- Sea salt: Add this to the soaking water, then taste the fries before adding more after cooking.
- Avocado oil or olive oil: Either one helps the potatoes brown and gives the seasoning something to stick to.
- Cajun seasoning: I use my homemade Cajun Seasoning. If your seasoning blend is already salty, wait until the fries are done before adding more salt.
How to Make Homemade French Fries in the Air Fryer
Cut Even Fries
Cut the potatoes no thicker than ½ inch and try to keep the pieces close to the same size. Thin fries will cook faster than thicker ones, so even cuts help the whole batch finish together.
Soak Until the Water Turns Cloudy
Soak the cut potatoes in cold salted water for at least 30 minutes. The water should start to look cloudy as some of the starch comes off the potatoes.
Dry and Coat Lightly
Drain the fries and pat them until the surface feels completely dry. Toss them with the oil and Cajun seasoning until every piece has a light coating and there is no extra oil sitting in the bowl.
Air Fry Until Golden
Arrange the fries with enough room for hot air to move around them. Turn them halfway through cooking, then continue until the edges are golden and crisp and the thickest fries are soft in the middle.
Season While Hot
Taste the fries right after they come out of the air fryer. Add more Cajun seasoning or salt while they are still hot so it sticks.
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Air Fryer Basket vs. Air Fryer Oven
How much you can cook at once depends on the type and size of your air fryer.
- Air fryer oven: The full 1½ pounds of potatoes should fit across the trays in one batch. Spread them out, then flip the fries and rotate the trays halfway through.
- Standard air fryer basket: Divide the potatoes into batches so the fries are not crowded. The cooking time listed in the recipe is for each batch.
It may be tempting to fit all the fries into one basket, but crowded potatoes trap steam and stay softer. So, even with rotating them, it will end up taking the same amount of time or more to get them crisp if you just dump them all into a small air fryer at once (ask how I know!)
How to Get Crispy Air Fryer Fries
- Use russet potatoes: They give you a fluffy center and crisp edges.
- Do not skip the soak: Soaking helps remove extra starch from the outside of the potatoes.
- Dry the fries very well: Any water left on the surface creates steam and makes it harder for the potatoes to crisp.
- Keep the cuts even: Smaller pieces may burn while thicker fries are still cooking.
- Leave some room: Hot air needs space to move around the fries.
- Turn them halfway through: Shake the basket, or flip the fries and rotate the trays in an air fryer oven.
- Check near the end: Air fryers cook a little differently. Add a few more minutes if the fries are tender but not golden enough.
- Serve them right away: They will be crispiest when they are fresh and hot.
Easy Swaps and Flavor Ideas
- Peel the potatoes: Peeling is optional. Leave the skins on for easier prep or remove them for a smoother texture.
- Use another oil: I personally use olive oil or avocado oil, but canola, vegetable, or melted coconut oil can also work.
- Change the seasoning: Keep it simple with salt and pepper, or try garlic powder, smoked paprika, seasoned salt, or my Burger Seasoning.
- Add Parmesan: Sprinkle finely grated Parmesan over the fries as soon as they finish cooking.
- Make thicker potatoes: Try my Air Fryer Potato Wedges when you want a thicker, heartier side.
The Best Dips for Air Fryer Fries
Chipotle Mayonnaise is my favorite sauce recipe for these fries. The creamy, smoky sauce works especially well with the Cajun seasoning. You can also try:
- Burger Sauce for a creamy, tangy dip.
- Spicy Mayo when you want more heat.
- Lemon Garlic Aioli for a fresh lemon and garlic flavor.
What to Serve With Homemade Air Fryer Fries
These fries are an easy side for sandwiches, burgers, chicken, steak, and barbecue meals. Serve them with Air Fryer Chicken Breast for a simple dinner or add them to the plate with Air Fryer Ribs.
They would also work well with Cheeseburger Sliders on Hawaiian rolls, Ground Chicken Burgers, Salmon Burgers with Canned Salmon, or Air Fryer Frozen Turkey Burgers.
Make-Ahead and Storage
- Make ahead: Cut and soak the potatoes for up to 1 hour before cooking. Keep them in the cold water, then drain and dry them right before adding the oil and seasoning.
- Store: Let leftover fries cool, then refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Freeze cooled fries in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Air fry refrigerated or frozen fries at 390°F until hot and crisp, about 3 to 6 minutes.
- Skip the microwave: The fries will get warm, but they will usually stay soft instead of crisp.
FAQs
Soaking helps remove extra starch from the outside of the potatoes. This keeps the fries from sticking together and helps them cook more evenly.
No. Wash and scrub the potatoes well, then leave the skins on for easier prep. You can peel them when you want a smoother texture.
The fries may still have been wet, the basket may have been too crowded, or they may need a little more cooking time. Dry them well, give them room, and cook until the edges are golden.
You should be able to cook the full recipe in one batch in a large air fryer oven. A standard basket-style air fryer will usually need more than one batch.
I cook these fries at 390°F. This gives the centers time to soften while the outside turns golden and crisp.
Homemade French Fries in the Air Fryer
Use DRDAVINAHS at checkout to save on some equipment & ingredients!
Recommended Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lb Russet Potatoes, about 2-3
- 1 tsp Natural Ancient Sea Salt
- ¼ cup Avocado oil, or olive oil
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning, click for my recipe
Instructions
- Prep the potatoes: wash your potatoes and then cut them into thin slices about ½ inch thick.
- Soak the french fries in cold salt water: Add your potatoes and salt to a large bowl filled with cold water. Let your potatoes soak for at least 30 minutes. Drain the water and pat your potatoes dry with paper towels or a kitchen towel.
- Season the potatoes: Transfer your potato strips to a dry mixing bowl and toss them in the oil and cajun seasoning until evenly coated. If your seasoning is sticking to the bottom of the bowl you can use your hands to work the ingredients together until the potatoes are evenly coated.
- Air fry your french fries: Preheat the air fryer to 390°F for 5 minutes, if required. In an air fryer oven, spread the fries across the trays in a single layer; they should fit in one batch. In a standard air fryer basket, divide the fries into batches to avoid overcrowding. Cook for 7 minutes, then shake the basket or flip the fries and rotate the trays. Cook for another 7 minutes, or until the fries are crisp and cooked through.
- Season to taste and enjoy: add additional cajun seasoning or salt to taste after the french fries are done cooking. Serve with burger sauce, chipotle mayonnaise, or lemon garlic aioli.
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Recipe Notes
- Cut the fries no thicker than ½ inch so they cook evenly.
- Soak for at least 30 minutes, then dry them very well.
- Cook the full batch in an air fryer oven. Use batches in a standard air fryer basket.
- Shake the basket or flip the fries and rotate the trays halfway through.
- Add more Cajun seasoning or salt while the fries are hot.
- Reheat at 390°F for 3 to 6 minutes.
Nutrition Details
The nutrition facts come from entering the recipe ingredients into a database of food ingredients. They may vary for any recipe based on the exact product used.
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