Crispy Air Fryer French Fries (Printable version)
Golden, crispy fries tossed in olive oil and sea salt, ready in under 30 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Potatoes
01 - 4 large russet potatoes, peeled (optional) and cut into 1/4-inch (0.64 cm) sticks
→ Seasonings & Oil
02 - 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon (5 g) sea salt, plus extra for finishing
04 - 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) freshly ground black pepper (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Set the air fryer to 380°F (193°C) and preheat for 3 minutes.
02 - Rinse potato sticks in cold water to remove excess starch. Drain and pat completely dry with paper towels.
03 - In a large bowl, toss the potato sticks with olive oil, sea salt, and black pepper if using, ensuring even coating.
04 - Place fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
05 - Cook fries for 18 to 22 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden and crisp.
06 - Transfer fries immediately to a serving bowl and sprinkle with additional sea salt to taste. Serve hot.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- They come out shatteringly crisp on the outside and fluffy inside without a single drop of deep fry oil.
- You can make them on a weeknight without planning ahead or heating up the whole kitchen.
- Theyre endlessly customizable with whatever spices or herbs you have within reach.
02 -
- Skipping the drying step will leave you with soggy, pale fries no matter how long you cook them.
- Shaking the basket halfway through isnt optional, it keeps the fries from sticking and ensures even browning on all sides.
03 -
- Cut your fries as uniformly as possible so they cook at the same rate and you dont end up with some burnt and others underdone.
- Dont skip preheating the air fryer, that initial blast of heat is what starts the crisping process immediately.