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Air Fryer French Fries

This air fryer French fries recipe includes a cold water-hot water soaking trick that produces super crispy French fries. Made with just four ingredients, these fries rival traditional fries but use a fraction of the oil. Serve with burgers, steak, or chicken with something to dip them in, like honey mustard, spicy ketchup, or garlic aioli.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course lunch/dinner
Cuisine French, south american
Servings 4 people
Calories 441.2 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Vegetable Peeler
  • 1 Chef's knife
  • 1 Cutting Board
  • 2 Large Mixing Bowls (for soaking and seasoning)
  • 1 Air Fryer

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 1 pound russet potatoes peeled
  • 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions
 

  • Gather all ingredients. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Cut each potato lengthwise into 3/8-inch-thick slices, then slice sections into 3/8-inch-wide sticks. Place potatoes in a bowl of cold water. Let soak to release excess starches, about 5 minutes; drain. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Pour boiling water over the potatoes until they're covered by a few inches. Let sit for 10 minutes. Drain potatoes and transfer onto some paper towels. Blot off excess water and let cool completely, at least 10 minutes.
  • Place cooled potatoes in a mixing bowl. Drizzle with oil and season with cayenne; toss to coat. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Preheat an air fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  • Stack potatoes in a double layer in the fryer basket. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Cook for 15 minutes. Slide basket out and toss fries. Continue frying until golden brown, about 10 minutes more. Toss fries with salt in a mixing bowl. Serve immediately. DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS 

Notes

The double-soak method (cold then hot) is vital; don't skip it, as it removes excess starch, ensuring superior crispiness. Blot potatoes thoroughly dry before oiling, as residual moisture will steam rather than crisp. Ensure uniform cuts for even cooking. While vegetable oil is fine, a high-smoke point neutral oil like grapeseed or canola will also work well. For maximum crispness, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket; cook in smaller batches if needed. Season with salt immediately after frying and serve without delay to retain their perfect texture. Consider a touch of garlic powder or smoked paprika with the cayenne for an enhanced flavor profile.