Crispy Air Fryer French Fries (Printable View)
Golden fries air-fried to crisp perfection, lightly seasoned with sea salt for a simple, tasty side.
# Ingredient List:
→ Potatoes
01 - 4 large russet potatoes, peeled or unpeeled, cut into 1/4-inch thick fries
→ Seasoning & Oil
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste
04 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Place cut potatoes in a large bowl of cold water and soak for 20 to 30 minutes to remove excess starch.
02 - Drain and dry the potatoes thoroughly using a clean kitchen towel.
03 - Toss fries with olive oil, sea salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
04 - Preheat air fryer to 380°F for 3 minutes.
05 - Place fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket; cook in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.
06 - Cook fries for 15 to 20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden and crisp.
07 - Season with additional sea salt to taste and serve immediately.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- They taste fried and decadent but use barely any oil—your kitchen stays clean and your conscience stays clear.
- That soaking trick transforms ordinary potatoes into something with a texture you can't fake, and once you taste the difference, there's no going back.
02 -
- Skipping the soak leaves you with soggy centers—I learned this the hard way by trying to rush, and it changed everything once I stopped.
- Don't fill the basket more than halfway or you'll trap steam and undo all your crispy work; patience with batches is what separates good fries from great ones.
03 -
- Uniform thickness is everything—a sharp knife and a steady hand make the difference between fries that all finish at the same time and a batch where some are crispy and others are soft.
- Don't skip the soaking step even though it feels like extra work; those 20 to 30 minutes transform ordinary potatoes into something that tastes restaurant-quality.