Crispy and delicious air fryer fries are a guilt-free way to enjoy your favorite snack! Enjoy with a delicious Easy No Egg Aioli Recipe.
When you're enjoying burgers like Vegan Chickpea Burgers, I love to make these easy homemade fries. It's hard to resist a generous serving of wonderfully crispy fries, isn't it? They're like a timeless comfort food that hits the spot every time.
But let's face it, the traditional deep-frying method can take a toll on our health. Well, here's some good news – air fryers come to the rescue as a healthier alternative. And the best part? Pairing those golden fries with a delectable Easy No Egg Aioli Recipe or Easy Chipotle Aioli Sauce takes the experience to a new level!
This recipe also includes instructions on making French fry pouches that even kids can make for an excellent presentation.
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Ingredients
Choose the right potatoes. The type of potato you use can make a big difference in the texture of your fries.
Russet potatoes are the most commonly used potatoes for making French fries, as they have a high starch content and a fluffy texture when cooked.
Yukon Gold potatoes have a slightly waxy texture and a buttery flavor, which can make for a tasty and unique French fry.
Red potatoes are less commonly used than Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, but they can also be used to make French fries in an air fryer. They have a slightly sweeter flavor and a firmer texture than Russet potatoes.
No matter which potato you use, it's important to cut it into evenly sized pieces to ensure it cooks evenly in the air fryer.
Options for Seasoning the Fries
- Sprinkle your fries with salt and pepper before cooking for a classic and simple seasoning option.
- Toss the cooked fries with grated vegan Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, and chopped parsley for a flavorful and savory twist.
- Add heat to your fries by seasoning them with cayenne pepper, chili powder, or hot sauce.
- Combine chopped fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, and parsley with garlic powder and salt, then sprinkle over the fries before cooking for a fragrant and flavorful seasoning.
- Use a Cajun seasoning blend to add a spicy and smoky flavor to your fries.
- Drizzle truffle oil over the cooked fries and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh herbs for a luxurious and decadent seasoning option.
How to Make Air-Fryer Fries
The steps are easy. See the recipe card for recipe details.
Step 1: Cut the potatoes into even-sized fries. A thickness of about ¼ to ½ inch is recommended for even cooking. I use a mandolin to cut perfectly, even fries. Check out this super sharp mandoline I have had for over ten years.
Step 2: To improve the crispiness of your air-fried fries and prevent them from sticking together, soak the cut potatoes in cold water for 30 minutes or rinse them several times to remove the starch. Drain the fries and pat them dry with kitchen or paper towels. A little wet is good, so your spices and herbs will stick to the fries.
Step 3: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Preheating helps prevent the fries from sticking together and ensures they cook evenly without cold spots or undercooked areas.
Step 4: If desired, toss the fries with oil spray. If you are oil-free, you can leave out the oil. Add any desired seasonings. I use salt, pepper, and dried parsley.
Step 5: Place the fries in the fryer, but do not overcrowd. Some overlapping is fine, but don't fill your basket entirely. If you overfill the basket, adjust the time for a few minutes longer.
Step 6: Cook the French fries in the air fryer for about 10 - 15 minutes, shaking the basket or stirring the fries a couple of times through the cooking process until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Times may vary because of the size of the fries and variations in different air fryers, so keep a close eye so they don't burn.
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Fries
- Don't overstuff the basket. You can stack them a little, but the more air that can circulate, the better.
- Shake the basket regularly.
- Cut the potatoes into uniform-sized fries for even cooking.
- Check for doneness regularly so they don't burn.
- Serve the fries immediately while they are still hot and crispy.
- The fries can be reheated in the air fryer to regain their crispness if necessary. It only takes 5 minutes to use the air fryer's reheat function.
- I make these fries for my kids' lunchboxes with Cashew Cheese Sauce as the dip. With a mandolin and premade cheese sauce, it's a quick lunch to put together in the morning with sliced cucumbers, peppers, and fruit. They get a bit soggy in the container, but the flavor is all there. They love the fries and ask for them all the time. Visit Vegan School Lunch Ideas for Kids for more ideas.
Other Sauces You May Enjoy
- Ketchup
- Vegan Mayo
- BBQ Sauce
- Vegan Ranch Dressing
- Nut-Free Vegan Cheese Sauce
- Hot Sauce
- Vegan Ranch
- Lemon Pistachio Gremolata for a fancy garnish.
How to Make the French Fry Pouch for Serving
I love these little pouches to serve fries. They are fun to make with the kids and give a nice presentation. You can hold them in your hand or place them in a small bowl for a nice display.
Step 1: Cut a piece of parchment paper to the desired width. You will have a rectangle.
Step 2: Grab one corner of the rectangle and bring it to meet the other side. Press tightly at the fold.
Step 3: Cut the excess parchment paper. You will now have a closed triangle.
Step 4: Keep the paper folded in a triangle and place in front of you like in picture 4.
Step 5: Picture 5 shows the right corner folded to meet the other side of the triangle.
Step 6: Do the same with the other corner.
Step 7: Fold the top flap down and press firmly.
Step 8: Turn the pouch over to the other side.
Step 9: Do the same for the other side by folding down the top flap. Press firmly.
Step 10: Open the top to insert the fries.
Step 11: Enjoy your cute pouch with some air-fried fries!
Air Fryer Fries FAQS
Cooking time varies depending on the size of the potatoes and the machine, but it typically takes 10-15 minutes at 400°F.
You only need a little bit of oil to make crispy and delicious fries in the air fryer. I usually don't use oil, but when I do, I spray it on for an even coating to ensure the least amount of oil possible.
Yes, it is essential to preheat the air fryer to ensure even cooking and crispy fries.
Perfect Pairings
Got a minute? I'd love for you to dive into the comments and rate these Delicious Air-Fryer Fries. Your feedback is invaluable—did you love it? Did you make any fun twists? Please let me know how my directions worked for you, so I can continue to improve my recipes. Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for inspiration.
Delicious Air-Fryer Fries
Ingredients
- 1 pound potatoes red, Yukon, or russet; 1 lb is about 4-5 Yukon gold potatoes
- oil spray you can skip the oil altogether or use 1 tbs of oil of your choice
- ½ teaspoon salt to taste
- ¼ teaspoon pepper to taste
- ½-1 tablespoon dried parsley to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F.
- Cut Pototes: Slice potatoes into ¼-inch sticks or use a mandoline for even slicing.
- Rinse: Rinse the sliced potatoes a few times until the water is clear.
- Season: In a large bowl, spray the potatoes with oil spray (is using). Mix together the potatoes with salt, pepper, and dried parsley until the potatoes are evenly coated.
- Air Fry: Add the fries to your air fryer basket. Cook for 10-15 minutes, tossing the basket several times throughout.
- Serve: Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce or as a side dish to your favorite meal. See the post for suggestions.
Reese says
Super simple and quick - perfect solution to a quick side.
Regi Pearce says
Absolutely! I'm glad to hear the air fryer fries were super simple and quick for you. They make for the perfect solution when you need a speedy side. Thanks for trying them out and for sharing your thoughts.