Crispy Air Fryer French Fries (Printable)
Golden, crunchy fries made in the air fryer with sea salt for a perfectly crispy snack or side.
# What You'll Need:
→ Potatoes
01 - 4 large russet potatoes
→ Oil & Seasoning
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste
04 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
05 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
# Directions:
01 - Peel the potatoes if desired, then cut into 1/4-inch thick sticks. Keep pieces uniform for even cooking.
02 - Submerge cut potatoes in a large bowl of cold water for at least 30 minutes. This step prevents sticking and ensures crispiness.
03 - Drain potatoes and pat completely dry with clean kitchen towels. Any remaining moisture will prevent proper crisping.
04 - In a large bowl, combine dried potatoes with olive oil, sea salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Toss until evenly coated.
05 - Set air fryer to 380°F and preheat for 3 minutes before cooking.
06 - Place fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Work in batches if needed—overcrowding leads to soggy fries.
07 - Cook for 18-22 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Fries should be golden brown and crispy when done.
08 - Taste fries and sprinkle with additional sea salt if desired. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- You get that perfect crunch without the mess of deep frying oil splattering everywhere
- The seasoning sticks beautifully because the potatoes get lightly coated in just enough oil
- They come together faster than delivery and taste infinitely fresher
02 -
- Overcrowding the basket will steam the fries instead of crisping them, so resist the urge to pile them high
- Skipping the soaking step results in gummy fries that never achieve that satisfying crunch you want
03 -
- Preheating the air fryer creates instant contact heat that jumpstarts the crisping process
- Avocado oil works beautifully if you want a more neutral flavor that tolerates higher heat